Zahn Hulme - On Giving Back

“I think I’m at a very happy stage of my life, because I’m content where I am. I’ve been doing what I love for a number of years, and I believe that you’re responsible for your own destiny. Likewise, if you’re unhappy, only you can change that.” Zahn Hulme sits on one of the couches across from me in the meeting room at their Atterbury offices. Although she is a woman with much to be proud of and many successes behind her name, she immediately puts me at ease, her infectious smile making me grip the notebook with my questions in a little bit less tightly, and subsequently closing it altogether.

As the Executive Trustee of Atterbury Trust, the extension of Atterbury dealing with their charity work, Zahn Hulme is the driving force behind the numerous charity projects that Atterbury Trust identifies and initiates. With a background and Master’s degree in auditing, specifically the identification of potential when recruiting chartered accountants, Zahn first met Louis van der Watt, the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Atterbury, when she was an audit senior at Deloitte. Louis approached Zahn to become involved in what would eventually develop into the bursary scheme at Atterbury Trust. As it was a charity, Zahn agreed to do it pro bono, and just over ten years ago, she joined the rapidly-growing Atterbury group to head the trust.

Zahn notes that the positive change she makes in the lives of many university students is the most fulfilling part of her career. “I see many matric students from underprivileged backgrounds get the opportunity to go to university and how that changes their lives. It’s incredible because you don’t just help that person – you help their whole immediate family for years to come. Many students say that because we believed in them when nobody else did, we’ve made a huge difference in their lives. It’s a thing about dignity, I think.”

The unique structure of Atterbury helps to create a lasting impact on the lives of many, as the company makes an effort to improve the communities along with the areas where property development takes place. “With Atterbury Trust, we don’t just dish out money to a lot of people that we don’t know, because we want the charities that we are involved in to be able to rely on us.” As an example, Atterbury does a huge amount relative to education in South Africa, financing schools and crèches such as Byers Bytjies, a pre-primary school which helps underprivileged families in the Danville and Elandspoort area send their children to school. “We pay the majority of the teacher’s salaries, but our philosophy is not only to be involved financially, but also by giving our time and expertise.”

Zahn is also tremendously passionate about art and culture in South Africa, spearheading the Cool Capital project, where Atterbury Trust sponsored 20 schools to do artwork in order to educate and inspire youth through the creation of art. “There is so much talent in our country, and when you express yourself creatively, it becomes a part of South Africa’s conscience. It gives people a voice through art.”

“As the saying goes, ‘if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life’, and it’s proven so true to me!” As Zahn describes the different aspects of her profession, I am struck by the welcomed appreciation of how much she loves what she does. Outside of her professional life, Zahn says that she absolutely can’t go to bed at night without a book on her bedside table, as well as being very active, with a love for cycling, swimming and going to the gym. “I just got an Apple Watch that I’m still trying to get to know,” she angles her wrist towards me to let me have a look, “so now I can track my steps and earn my smoothies!”

Apart from her work, Zahn is also a wife and mother, and no matter how busy she is, she always finds time for her family. She recalls the intense negotiations between her and Louis about her working hours and flexibility when she first joined Atterbury. “I’d rather get up early to get some things done, then drop my boys off at school and go to the gym, and afterwards I’ll come in to the office. Late at night, when everyone has gone to bed, then I’ll go back to work again. I’ve always believed that if I have my laptop with me and I have wifi, then I can work. I’m a big believer in claiming your own time. Being busy isn’t an excuse; you will find the time for the things that are important.”

In the words of Helen Keller, “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much”, and this saying reminds me of the immense good that Atterbury Trust does each day. Even when you take away the position she holds, and the company that she works for, Zahn Hulme is a woman with a heart of gold. Few people can claim to dedicate themselves towards furthering the lives of others, but Zahn is certainly one of those noble few.