For many people working in the electronics industry, a lifelong fascination with technology begins at an early age. For Lesley Havenga, general manager of Würth Electronics South Africa, the journey took a different path. As she puts it, “electronics chose me”.
Today, Havenga leads the South African operations of one of the world’s most respected electronic component manufacturers, helping to expand the company’s local presence, while building stronger relationships with customers across the region. Her journey to this position, however, has been shaped by experience across multiple sectors of the electronics value chain, giving her a unique perspective on the industry’s challenges and opportunities.
Her introduction to electronics came after an early career in pharmaceuticals. At just 20 years old, she moved into the power electronics sector, where her passion for the industry began to take root. Working alongside experienced industry professionals, she developed a deeper understanding of electronic systems and components. What started as curiosity quickly grew into a lasting enthusiasm for the technology that powers modern industry.
That passion eventually led her to establish her own electronics production facility. Equipped with pick-and-place manufacturing capabilities, the business produced electronic assemblies for OEMs, giving Havenga first-hand experience of the pressures faced by local manufacturers.
The move into manufacturing was followed by a transition into component distribution, allowing her to gain valuable insight into another critical aspect of the electronics ecosystem.
These experiences, she says, have helped her understand both sides of the supply chain equation.
“The challenges have always remained surprisingly consistent,” she explains. “Getting the right components, at the right quality, at the right time has always been difficult, and it remains one of the key challenges facing the industry today.”
It is this combination of manufacturing and distribution expertise that Havenga believes she brings to her current role at Würth Electronik.
Initially, joining the company was not an easy decision. Having found success and satisfaction in distribution, she was hesitant to make a change. However, after extensive discussions with the Würth team, she became increasingly attracted to the company’s culture, vision, and long-term approach to customer partnerships.
What ultimately convinced her was the company’s commitment to transforming traditional supply chains into collaborative partnerships. “It aligned completely with what I would like to see happening in the industry,” she says.
As general manager for South Africa, Havenga is now focused on strengthening Würth Electronik’s local presence, while leveraging the advantages of being part of a global organisation.
“The company’s philosophy,” she explains, “is straightforward: think globally, but act locally.”
That approach is reflected in Würth’s recent investments in South Africa. The company has expanded beyond a representative office model and now operates local warehousing facilities, employs field application engineering resources, and has relocated its operations to Johannesburg to better serve customers from a central hub.
For Havenga, these investments represent far more than logistics improvements. “We are not just here to sell components,” she explains. “We are here to partner with customers.”
That partnership philosophy extends beyond component selection. Würth works closely with customers during the design phase, assisting with product qualification and helping ensure successful implementation before products reach the market.
As the African electronics sector continues to evolve, Havenga sees significant opportunities ahead. She points to growing activity in renewable energy, industrial automation, smart infrastructure, tracking technologies, and utility metering as areas driving demand across the continent.
She also believes the role of component suppliers is changing. “The future is moving from being simply a component supplier to becoming a supply and design partner,” she says.
This evolution is particularly important in Africa, where local engineering teams often require access not only to products, but also to technical expertise, application support, and reliable supply chain information.
Looking further ahead, Havenga sees electric vehicles and charging infrastructure as one of the continent’s most important opportunities.
While recognising the challenges associated with power availability, she believes Africa’s abundant mineral resources and growing industrial capabilities position the continent to play a far more significant role in future mobility solutions.
“There are definitely gaps that can be addressed through African supply chains,” she notes.
Underlying much of Havenga’s leadership philosophy is a strong emphasis on relationships. Whether discussing customer engagement, team development, or business growth, she repeatedly returns to the importance of face-to-face interaction and building trust.
It is an approach that reflects not only her professional experience, but also her personal values.
Outside of work, family occupies a central role in her life. Recently married, Havenga and her husband share a blended family of six children. Time spent with family, church involvement, and connecting with like-minded people remain important priorities amid the demands of leading a growing business.
As Würth Electronik expands its footprint across South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region, Havenga’s blend of manufacturing expertise, supply chain knowledge, and people-centred leadership appears well suited to the task.
For a leader who believes that electronics chose her, the industry has certainly gained an enthusiastic advocate, one committed to building stronger partnerships and helping shape the future of electronics across Africa.
For more information contact Würth Electronics South Africa,
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