Get to know our staff: Lameck's journey at Image At Work

It’s midday, and the air is thick with humidity. A dark cloud looms above Strijdom Park, heavy with the threat of a downpour. In the background, you can hear distant giggles and humming voices. The rhythmic buzz of hacksaws and grinders cutting through iron comes from a few blocks away, mingling with the clinking of hammers striking anvils. The familiar industrial scent of fast food wafts through the air from a nearby outlet.

A massive figure suddenly strides out of a building. Clad in khaki trousers, a light green t-shirt, and white Air Max sneakers, he bends down and gently places a ball pein hammer on a wooden table in front of him. He pulls a handkerchief from his pocket, using it to wipe the sweat from his bald head and forehead. This is Lameck—affectionately known as Lamz by his colleagues.

Today, we focus on Lamz’s story: his background, his journey with ImageatWork, and his experiences with his colleagues.

How long have you worked here? Can you tell me more about your role and background?

"I’ve been at ImageatWork since 2003, so that’s 20 years now. Before I came here, I was a street vendor, selling basket weavings and wire artwork. That’s actually where I met Tanya, the CEO of ImageatWork. She was one of my customers, and after some time, she offered me the opportunity to come work with her at the company."

Apart from basket weaving, what else were you doing for a living?

"I briefly worked as a museum docent, explaining the importance of exhibits and artifacts to guests. I was also a footballer—a goalkeeper, to be specific, playing in the first division. Unfortunately, an injury ended my career prematurely, and I still believe it was the result of black magic. That’s when I realised I was in the wrong field. I came to Johannesburg with my artistic skills, hoping to turn a new page."

Where did you learn weaving and wire craft?

"I learned the craft in school. We had a lot of teachers who were passionate about teaching us practical skills to become self-sufficient. We had subjects like building, woodwork, and metalwork, but I was always drawn to art and craft."

What do you like most about working at ImageatWork?

"I love the friendly environment here. The people I work with are eager to learn, and that makes everything easier. We work as a team—whenever there’s a task to do, we collaborate and share ideas. In a 9-to-5 job, your colleagues become like family, and that’s how I feel here. They make me feel at home."

How would you describe the work environment?

"The environment here is spacious, which is great because it allows everyone to work comfortably without feeling crowded. We also have safety protocols in place, with floor markings to signal caution. We work with some hazardous tools, so it’s essential to keep everything clean and handle equipment carefully to avoid accidents."

What is your leadership style?

"To me, leadership is about motivating people to achieve a common goal. I consider myself a democratic leader. I like to give people opportunities to show their potential. On busy days, I’ll pick anyone—especially those who are less experienced—to work with me. My goal is to build their confidence, to show them that they’re chosen because I see potential in them. I don’t centralise tasks; I delegate and encourage others to express themselves. When they meet expectations, I praise them. I believe that success comes from the collective input of the team, and everyone’s opinion is valuable."

So, your leadership only thrives on liberalism?

"Not exactly. Sometimes, I adopt a more directive style, especially when there’s a tight deadline or an urgent project. When we need to finish quickly, customer satisfaction takes precedence. In those moments, I don’t ask if people are willing to stay late—they’re simply required to. While overtime is paid, sometimes people still hesitate, so I take a more authoritative approach to ensure the job gets done."

Have you had opportunities to advance?

"Yes, definitely. I started as a packer, just counting and wrapping finished items, and then gradually worked my way up. Through in-house training, I became a quality controller, ensuring that our products met the clients’ expectations. I didn’t stop there—I became a supervisor and eventually worked my way up to operations manager. My journey clearly shows how opportunities are available here for anyone who’s willing to put in the work. I’m not the only one who has benefited from this."

How do you motivate your team?

"I always share my story with them, about how I started from the bottom and worked my way up. It wasn’t easy—it took a lot of hard work and patience. I tell them about an African proverb: 'He who knows the way across a rocky surface is the one who regularly uses it.’ To all others, there is no path there. I remind them that they too can rise, even in the face of challenges. If they follow the path, they’ll find success, just as I have. This company recognises and rewards hard work."

What challenges have you encountered? How did you handle them?

"Like any workplace, challenges are inevitable. In my early days here, I was the only one with experience in weaving and wire work, so sometimes I’d end up doing it all by myself. It was exhausting, but I realised I needed to teach others so I could share the workload. That made a big difference and helped me delegate more effectively."

How do you handle mistakes made by your team?

"We understand that mistakes are part of learning. But we also know the difference between honest mistakes and negligence. If it’s a mistake, we see it as an opportunity to teach. If it’s a case of carelessness, though, we take it more seriously. It’s like football—sometimes a coach needs to get tough to drive the team to perform better, but it’s all for the greater good."

If there was one thing you could improve, what would it be?

"Improvement is a constant process. It doesn’t mean we’re not doing things right, but we always need to adapt and grow. My main wish is for the company to expand, to become bigger, and to compete globally. We have the potential for that, and it’s something I’m excited about."

Where do you draw your motivation from?

"I’m a happily married father of four. My family is my biggest source of motivation. Everything I do, I do for them. I don’t want them to ever look back and feel that I failed them. I work hard to ensure that their future is bright, and that drives me every day."

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