In conversation with the former Deputy President of South Africa

22 October 2025

This summer, we hosted our ‘Perspectives: Women in Leadership’ event in Johannesburg. This sold-out afternoon brought together more than 120 senior female professionals from across South Africa’s business and financial sectors.

Now in its fourth year, the event has become a highly-anticipated occasion in our calendar, offering a platform for women to come together for an afternoon of connection, reflection and shared inspiration.

This year’s programme featured a fireside chat with Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa and former Executive Director of UN Women, whose remarkable career spans grassroots activism, national governance and global policy influence.

In an engaging conversation with Dr Rufaro Nyakatawa, Jersey Finance’s Market Development Consultant for Africa, Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka shared candid reflections on leadership, education and empowerment, drawing on lessons from her journey that continue to resonate for women across Africa and beyond.

A journey defined by purpose

Reflecting on her rise to international leadership, Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka described her path as one shaped not by design, but by courage and curiosity.

“My journey into leadership wasn’t planned,” she shared. “It evolved as I took opportunities when they came. I began as a teacher because I loved working with young people, but I couldn’t ignore the inequalities I witnessed around me. That led me from the classroom into my first leadership role of significance.”

Her first significant leadership experience came at a youth conference in Tanzania, where she was elected to represent the continent at a global women’s conference.

“I was inspired by so many young women doing exceptional things in their countries. From that moment, I never looked back,” she said. “We are the ones we have been waiting for. If we don’t step in, who will? Leadership starts when you step forward, even when you don’t feel ready.”

This philosophy, that leadership is built on action, not position, continues to guide Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka’s approach to public service and advocacy.

We are the ones we have been waiting for. If we don’t step in, who will? Leadership starts when you step forward, even when you don’t feel ready.
Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Education is a tool for change

Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka highlighted that education has been central to her life and work. She described it as “probably the most important gift you can give someone, especially girls. Once you have it, no one can ever take it away from you. Yet in South Africa, fewer than 10% of citizens hold university degrees. That imbalance must change.”

She spoke passionately about the transformative potential of digital learning, which she called “the biggest enabler of progress.” By reducing cost and expanding access, digital education opens doors to learners across geography, age and background.

“You can learn anytime, anywhere. You can have masterclasses from exceptional teachers all around the world. It allows people who would otherwise be excluded from university to gain opportunities.”

Her own pursuit of a PhD in education and digital literacy reflects this commitment. “When you are in government, you speak about everything but with little depth,” she explained. “I wanted to be able to talk with confidence and to mobilise others.

Education teaches you humility; how much you don’t know; and how to ask for help from those who know better.”

The practice of leadership

The conversation also focussed on the human side of leadership and its reliance on collaboration, resilience and continuous learning.

“Leadership requires courage and empathy,” Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka said. “It’s about showing up, doing the work and bringing others with you.”

For her, leadership is an ongoing process of growth and reflection. “Leadership is about learning continuously and about falling, but falling forward, so you can rise again. You discover strengths you didn’t know you had.”

She encouraged women leaders to embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and to surround themselves with people who bring complementary knowledge. That attitude, she believes, is essential for women navigating systems not always built with them in mind.

“Real leadership is not about being a master of everything,” she added. “It’s about asking questions, listening and leveraging the strengths of others. That’s what makes the work more effective and more enjoyable.”

Leadership requires courage and empathy. It’s about showing up, doing the work and bringing others with you.
Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

The role of global institutions in a changing world

Turning to her time at the United Nations, Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka acknowledged the challenges faced by global bodies today, particularly in the areas of gender equality and inclusion.

She stressed that international cooperation remains critical. “These global agreements give us a foundation, something to stand on as we continue to push for progress. We cannot afford to let them fall apart.”

Her approach to inclusive advocacy is pragmatic, but hopeful. “Equality benefits everyone” she added. “Countries that provide affordable childcare, for instance, not only advance women’s participation, but also grow stronger economies. Empowering women is not a women’s issue, it’s a human and economic imperative.”

The next generation of leaders

Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka also shared thoughtful advice for the next generation of leaders, encouraging them to stay engaged and adaptable in an era of rapid change.

“The world is changing fast with technology, climate and geopolitics all redefining what leadership looks like,” she said. “The skill that matters most now is adaptability. Don’t wait for perfect conditions, you need to step up where you are.”

She urged young professionals to see education and development as lifelong commitments. “Institutions may evolve, but change comes from the people inside them. Every generation has to claim its space and take responsibility for shaping the future.”

Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka also emphasised the importance of balancing ambition with community impact. “Leadership isn’t only about global platforms,” she reflected. “It’s about what you do on the ground. Education, digital literacy and empowerment begin at the grassroots. You can influence many lives while shaping policy at the highest level.”

A platform for connection

As the discussion drew to a close, Dr Mlambo-Ngcuka reminded the audience that empowerment is not a solitary pursuit. It requires community spaces where women can learn from one another, share their experiences and recharge their ambitions.

Her words encapsulated the broader vision of this event, which aims to celebrate women’s leadership, encourage open dialogue and support the development of inclusive, sustainable business practices across Africa and beyond.

Closing the session, Dr Rufaro Nyakatawa reflected on what makes the event so powerful: “Many of us come here to fill our emotional cup and to remind ourselves that we are not alone. This platform exists to connect, to share and to strengthen one another.”

As one attendee remarked afterwards, “It wasn’t just a conversation. It was a call to action.”

Many of us come here to fill our emotional cup and to remind ourselves that we are not alone. This platform exists to connect, to share and to strengthen one another.
Dr Rufaro NyakatawaMarket Development Consultant – Africa, Jersey Finance

Sign up to our newsletter

To stay up to date with the latest insights, news of future events, and thought leadership relating to South Africa, please register for our Africa regional newsletter.