South Africa

Monisola Oloruntoba is a seasoned business leader, career coach, and mentor with over 36 years of experience across business, banking, education, administration, and community development. A Certified Career and Life Coach, she is passionate about empowering individuals through mentorship, career guidance, and leadership development. Having led businesses across multiple countries and managed an NGO serving rural communities for 16 years, Monisola brings a wealth of practical experience and a deep commitment to helping others achieve their full potential through education, coaching, and purposeful leadership.

Patrick Kulati is a distinguished Pan-African leader, governance expert, bestselling author, and executive coach with 25 years of senior leadership experience across Africa. As CEO of Good Governance Africa, he leads initiatives focused on governance, public policy, ethical leadership, and accountability across the continent. Author of the bestselling books *A Gap in the Cloud* and *Take The Gap*, Patrick is also a respected media commentator and thought leader on leadership, democracy, and anti-corruption. His extensive executive and board-level experience positions him as a strong voice for ethical and effective governance in Africa.

Thandeka Dube is an experienced banking, compliance, and administration professional with over a decade of expertise in financial operations, KYC, risk management, and business administration. She is known for combining strong regulatory knowledge with effective stakeholder engagement and client-focused solutions. Passionate about mentorship and professional growth, Thandeka helps individuals build confidence, discover their strengths, and develop high-performing careers. Her leadership approach centers on accountability, continuous improvement, and empowering people to reach their full potential.

Desiree Gopal is a seasoned business leader, scientist, and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience across laboratory sciences, manufacturing, operations, and business strategy. As Founder and Managing Director of DG Lab Services, she combines deep scientific expertise with strong business and leadership experience. Passionate about mentorship, Desiree supports emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, women in business, and STEM professionals. Her approach focuses on building confidence, resilience, and practical skills that help individuals navigate career transitions and create meaningful impact.

Nomalanga is a seasoned communications and media professional with a global footprint, known for her powerful presentations, captivating voice-overs, and memorable events. Blending creativity, empathy, and strategy, she uses communication as a tool for meaningful connection and change. Her voice and storytelling leave lasting impressions across audiences and industries, reflecting her passion for authenticity, excellence, and the transformative power of words.

An award-winning financial services leader with over 20 years of experience in insurance and banking, I specialize in building high-performing teams and driving strategic growth. With an MBA and a postgraduate diploma in financial planning, I bring expertise in product development, digital transformation, process optimization, and change leadership. I have a proven track record in strategy execution, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration at board and executive levels. Skilled in deal facilitation, risk management, and financial performance, I focus on creating sustainable profitability while delivering exceptional results in both B2B and B2C environments.

Musa Nedshidzati is a dynamic IT professional with over six years of experience in back-end development, cloud-native platforms, workflow automation, and IT support. Skilled in Camunda workflows, Docker, Kubernetes, and event-driven architectures, Musa is proficient in C#, .NET Core, SQL, Java, Python, and PHP, with expertise in systems integration, data migration, and API development. Passionate about mentorship and collaboration, Musa has trained junior developers, supported user adoption, and built inclusive, high-performing teams. Fluent in seven languages, they connect easily across diverse communities while driving transformation in the tech space through knowledge sharing and innovation.

Ursula Molefe is a seasoned financial planner with over 16 years in the financial services industry and the founder of Wellfin, a firm dedicated to empowering women and young professionals through financial education, planning, and wellness. Her career journey, marked by resilience and a client-first approach, has shaped her passion for mentoring the next generation of financial leaders. Featured on ENCA, NewzRoom Afrika, and in financial publications, Ursula also hosts the Wealth Guide podcast, sharing insights on wealth-building and financial freedom. As a LeanIn Women in Financial Planning mentor, she inspires students and young advisors with authenticity, empathy, and practical wisdom.

I am an educational leader and community developer with over 17 years of experience in teaching, coaching, curriculum design, and programme management. Passionate about creating transformative learning experiences, I focus on empowering young people and strengthening underserved communities. As Education Programme Director at The Sozo Foundation Trust, I lead the design and delivery of innovative academic and psycho-social initiatives that drive holistic community transformation. Previously, I directed the Sports Department at Sun Valley Primary School and served on the School Management Team as Head of English and History, gaining strong experience in both strategic leadership and programme delivery.

Nozipho Mbele is a skilled HR professional and Skills Development Specialist with over 7 years of experience in empowering individuals and growing organizations. Her work spans both government agencies like NYDA and SEDA, and the private sector, where she has coached entrepreneurs and professionals to reach their full potential. With expertise in mentorship, coaching, HR strategy, and talent development, Nozipho is passionate about unlocking human potential and delivering impactful, results-driven programs that drive long-term success.

Rebecca Mkwezalamba Penumlungu (Becky) is a passionate marketing, sponsorship, and communications expert with nearly 20 years of experience across South Africa and the continent. She has led impactful campaigns in financial services, telecoms, insurance, and the non-profit sector, driving brand growth and sales through strategic, data-driven work. Known for her energy, creativity, and leadership, Becky has worked with top brands like FNB, Old Mutual, and Broadband Infraco. She thrives on building strong relationships, managing high-impact projects, and bringing both precision and heart to every role she takes on.

With over 20 years of experience in real estate and construction, I am the founder and Sole Director of Olive Works (Pty) Ltd—a 100% Black female-owned company breaking ground in male-dominated sectors. My firm provides end-to-end services in construction, real estate, and property management across South Africa. Having worked on over 65 retail projects and held leadership roles at Investec Property Fund and Liberty Portfolio, including as Divisional Head of Leasing for the Sandton City Consortium, I bring a fresh, innovative approach to property management. I’m passionate about sharing this knowledge with others looking to enter or grow in the industry.

Phindile Mlangeni is an admitted attorney, youth advocate, and founder of Law Simplified, with over seven years of experience in litigation, contract drafting, and legal operations. As Managing Attorney at her firm, she leads with purpose and a strong focus on accessible legal education for underserved communities. She serves as Legal Advisor for Lintle for Youth and mentors aspiring lawyers, empowering them with the tools to grow in confidence, leadership, and legal expertise. Her passion lies in simplifying law for small businesses, guiding young professionals, and championing children's rights through advocacy and education.

Batabile Sibaca is a seasoned facilities management expert and the Founder/CEO of Sibaca FM. With decades of industry experience, he is known for his innovative, hands-on leadership and commitment to sustainability, proactive maintenance, and IoT-driven solutions across Africa. At the heart of his work is a people-first approach—empowering teams, building strong client relationships, and setting new standards for operational excellence. Batabile’s vision continues to transform the FM landscape, inspiring lasting impact and progress across the continent.

Dr. Wilson Silungwe is a seasoned academic, corporate leader, and communication expert with over two decades of experience in education, governance, and tourism development. He served as Executive Director of the Zambia Institute for Tourism and Hospitality Studies for 13 years and currently heads the School of Postgraduate Studies at the University of Lusaka. With multiple degrees in Communication, Religious Studies, and Mass Communication, Dr. Silungwe has led national projects, published widely, and contributed to tourism, education, and media policy in Zambia. He is also an author, consultant, mentor, and founder of Transforming Lives Ministries, dedicated to youth mentorship across Southern Africa.