4 min. read
An interview with Angelique about building a career from nighttime data entry to leading Motors marketing across four countries, surviving cancer, and why growing pains are worth it.
Angelique, you’ve been here for 20 years. That’s extraordinary. How did this journey start?
My journey started 20 years ago at AutoTrader. I had a marketing degree and I took a nighttime job capturing data for the print magazine just to get my foot in the door of an iconic South African brand.
Today, I serve as the Category Marketing Director for Motors at OLX, leading around 25 marketers across South Africa, Poland, Portugal, and Romania.
In the two decades between, I’ve worked across many marketing disciplines and multiple roles – B2B and research, digital and brand strategy, PR, events, SEO, performance marketing. I’ve had 9 promotions.
Nine promotions in 20 years. What’s the secret?
People often ask me that. Honestly? I’ve never chased a title.
I’ve shown up every single day without entitlement, obsessed with adding commercial value to the business, solving customer pain points, and relentlessly pursuing marketing that genuinely connects with people.
I’ve also never believed in saying, “That’s not my job.”
That curiosity, that ownership mindset combined with a deep sense of humility – that’s what has helped me grow.
What’s the biggest transformation you’ve witnessed at OLX, and how did you adapt to it?
The past 12 to 18 months at OLX have been some of the most energizing of my career.
We’ve broken down silos, created segments, introduced entirely new ways of working, and we’re accelerating AI. I have absolutely loved being right in the thick of it.
Adapting to that pace of change is something I’ve learned to lean into rather than resist. When the pace is relentless, you win as a team or you don’t win at all.
For me, it’s all about mindset, perspective, and actively choosing to see change as an exhilarating opportunity rather than a threat.
Twenty years is a long time. What kept you here when you could have left?
I’ve never had the same day twice. I’ve been constantly challenged, empowered, and exposed to new things, which has kept me engaged.
I always believe there is more to learn, more customer problems to solve, and new ways to solve them. That hunger is what separates people who keep growing from people who plateau.
People often think the grass is greener on the other side. But usually, that’s just impatience talking. Growth doesn’t come from running when things get complicated; it comes from pushing through the messy parts.
You mentioned people. Tell me more about that.
I’ve stayed because of the culture, the people, and the relationships.
George – AutoTrader’s CEO – and I crossed paths almost 20 years ago. Having a mentor who sees your potential before you fully see it yourself, and having someone in your corner, changes everything.
I love paying that forward now. Building high-performance teams, growing people, and recognizing spark in someone who doesn’t yet see it in themselves.
What would you tell someone who’s feeling anxious about our next wave of growth at OLX?
Growth at this scale naturally creates uncertainty because it pushes us beyond what feels familiar and comfortable. But some of the most transformative periods in my career started in moments that initially felt overwhelming.
What’s exciting at OLX right now is that we’re not standing still – we’re actively shaping the future. AI, GEO, agentic workforces, new ways of working. It’s a huge shift, and with that comes discomfort.
But I genuinely believe the people who will thrive in this next chapter are not the ones who already have all the answers. They’re the ones who stay curious, adaptable, collaborative, and open to learning.
You survived cancer at 28. How did that shape your perspective on change?
It completely transformed my perspective on change.I was diagnosed at 28 and I became cancer-free a year later, but my treatment journey continued for another six years.
What I learned is that life can change in a single moment. You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control who you choose to become because of it. Cancer taught me that resilience isn’t about avoiding change; it’s about finding the courage to keep moving through it.
My mom always used to say, “That’s why they call them growing pains, because they’re uncomfortable.” But that discomfort is often just the feeling of your capacity expanding.
Looking back, which change felt scary at the time but turned out to be your biggest opportunity?
Moving from a single market to leading an international portfolio across European teams and cultures was daunting. And sometimes, still is. And I’m okay with that.
This opportunity has pushed me to grow in ways I never would have otherwise. It’s exactly what drives me to operate at a higher level while staying grounded in where I came from.
You don’t walk into new markets thinking you have all the answers. You listen. You ask a lot of questions. You lean on your team, and you build from there.
Instead of trying to avoid this scary feeling of the unknown, I lean into it. That’s where the real magic and growth happens.
Looking back on 20 years, what’s your biggest learning?
That the best opportunities are the ones that scare you a little.
If it feels completely comfortable, you’re probably not growing. And that growth – the messy, uncomfortable, stretching kind – that’s what builds a career.
Not chasing titles. Not waiting for perfect conditions. Just showing up, solving problems, and never saying, “That’s not my job.”
Angelique’s story is part of our “Built for Change” series, celebrating colleagues who’ve chosen growth over comfort. If you’re someone who thrives on transformation rather than stability, explore our open positions. Your first chapter at OLX could start here.
