Humans of RCL FOODS: Anderton Kevin Naidoo – Impact, Inclusivity, and Growing Our People

Impactful, perfectly describes Kevin Naidoo, a remarkable Training Officer and phenomenal human of RCL FOODS. He is a multifaceted individual, excelling in both his professional career, and his passion for motivating others, while being deeply involved in community service. As we approach International Day of People living with Disabilities on 3rd December, we are celebrating Kevin’s inspiring journey. Despite suffering from severe bilateral hearing loss, with complete deafness in his right ear and 15% natural hearing in his left – Kevin’s story of resilience shines through. A testament of not being defined by his disability, Kevin leverages his abilities to make a significant impact.

Refusing to give up, Kevin has become an advocate for those living with disabilities within the business and beyond. Growing up in Phoenix was challenging, where his parents, coming from humble beginnings, worked hard to ensure that he and his five siblings completed their schooling. Their dedication to family values and education shaped his journey. Surrounding himself with inspiring people remains important to him, which is why he deeply values his late parents and his wife (Rekha), who has always been his biggest supporter.

He started his career at RCL FOODS in 2010 with PIEMANS, where he progressively advanced through key roles, including Brand Activator, Sales Representative, and Business Consultant. His dedication and growth within the company led to his current position as Training Officer in 2017. When Kevin considers who has influenced his career, he thinks fondly of our very own Mark Collins.

Kevin is a talented writer, with over 200 of his sports articles being printed in local newspapers. He has also published two books: Aim Higher and Against All Odds, that share how Kevin has navigated life’s challenges, always aiming higher even against the odds. His need to create an inclusive environment has led to him converting his books to braille, to ensure that he words of inspiration reach and empower individuals with visual impairments.

He believes in doing more for the disabled community and demonstrating that limitations can be transformed into strengths. He earned his MBA in 2021, and his MBA dissertation was converted to braille, so that students with visual disabilities can access it for research purposes. In 2013, his article How much is your attitude worth was discussed and debated on national radio.

Beyond his roles as a writer and an MBA graduate, Kevin is also a motivational speaker, who embodies our commitment to personal growth and development.  His influence extends beyond RCL FOODS into the running community, where he serves as a coach and mentor. Kevin has completed three Two Oceans Ultra Marathons (56km) and five Comrades Marathons (89km), proving that he can go the distance both literally and figuratively. As a race ambassador for the JL Dube Race, Durban International Marathon, and the Orcas Ultra Marathon, Kevin continues to inspire others to push beyond their limits and achieve greatness.

Just as he navigates the challenges of long-distance running, Kevin overcomes the hurdles of his disability with remarkable endurance and determination. His journey is a powerful reminder to see the abilities, not the disabilities, in everyone. His story exemplifies our value of being MORE INCLUSIVE, showing that with determination and resilience, the word impossible has no place in our vocabulary. Kevin’s achievements, in his professional life as well as a writer, motivational speaker, family man and athlete, inspire us all to push beyond our limits and embrace the potential within each of us. By focusing on what we can do, rather than what we cannot, we create a more inclusive and empowering environment for everyone.