Chwayita Shude-Mareka is currently the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer at Massmart, before that she worked for Rhodes Food Group (RFG) where she was the Group Human Resources Director since July 2019. 

Previously, she spent several years at Engen Petroleum, where she held various roles in the Human Resources function; progressing through the leadership ranks. While working at Engen she led a reorganization project that delivered an HR strategy and efficient structure, while delivering to business imperatives. The key feature of the HR structure was a transparent shared service center aimed at professionalizing HR while speedily and effectively resolving employee issues. She loves change and is passionate about leadership development.  Chwayita guest lectures on the UCT GSB MBA programs, talking on self-leadership and personal purpose.

She holds a National Diploma in Public Management, & Administration from Border Technikon (SA), completed a Management Development Programme (MDP) as well as a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA), and also holds a Master of Science in Organisational Psychology degree from the University of London (UK).