When I enrolled for my MBA at Henley Business School Africa, I wasn’t seeking another qualification, I was seeking transformation. Henley stood out for its international credibility, its human-centred philosophy, and its flexibility. I wanted a programme that recognised that I was a mother, a wife, and a businesswoman and that I needed harmony, not just hard deadlines. I got exactly that. When life became overwhelming (building a home, expanding my businesses, and guiding my children through new schools) Henley’s Executive MBA structure allowed me to pause and return stronger, supported by a cohort that refused to let me give up.
The MBA challenged me in ways I didn’t expect. It stretched my mind and reshaped my leadership philosophy. I began to understand that organisations are living ecosystems: if there’s a crack in operations, strategy fails. I strengthened how I run my businesses, building the systems, dashboards, and processes that make customer centricity a daily reality. I even became fluent in the language of finance, moving from asking for reports to leading strategic discussions on costs, assets, and growth.
One of my proudest moments during the MBA was developing my dissertation on purpose-driven leadership and its impact on organisational success. Through interviews with C-suite leaders across South Africa, I found clear evidence that when leaders act from purpose, they don’t just drive profit, they build sustainability. That research didn’t just validate a theory; it defined my leadership philosophy and gave me the courage to centre purpose in everything I do.
Another turning point came when we were challenged to demonstrate thought leadership within our fields. That challenge birthed Africa Rising Leadership, a platform dedicated to developing ethical, progressive, and AI-conscious leaders across the continent. Through my podcast, Leaders in Conversation, and the Africa Rising Leadership Summit & Awards, I’ve built a space where leaders reflect on their purpose, share their journeys, and imagine the future of African leadership together. What started as a class project has become my life’s work.
Balancing business, study, and motherhood was never easy. But I’ve learned not to chase balance, to seek harmony instead. When I’m at work, I’m fully present. When I’m at home, I’m fully present. Some things will fall away, and that’s okay. What matters is being intentional in every season.
My professional path began in HR, a space I loved because it was centred around people. After more than a decade in corporate, I felt a stirring to build something of my own. That leap gave birth to Ziyana Group, a collective of three interlinked ventures:
I was born in the Eastern Cape, in a small township where the odds against success were stacked high: teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, and school dropouts were everyday realities. My parents, though not formally educated, were extraordinary teachers. My father, a businessman, and my mother, a woman of unshakable faith, taught me discipline, resilience, and generosity. Every December, my father would pack food parcels for families in need and take children who’d never seen the ocean to the beach. Only later did I realise he was teaching me the essence of leadership, that success means lifting others as you rise.
Those early lessons shaped who I became: a child of God, a wife, a mother of three, and a leader determined to make impact tangible. My journey has come full circle, from a little girl in the Eastern Cape who dreamed beyond her surroundings to a woman leading teams, businesses, and community programmes. My Henley MBA expanded my skills and deepened my sense of calling. It reminded me that the best kind of growth is the kind that transforms not just what you do, but who you are.
Favourite bite in the UK during grad?
Oreo cheesecake, and I don’t even like cheesecake, so you know it was really good.
Leadership must-read?
The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life by Steven Bartlett.
Most inspiring person during the MBA?
Vonani Rikhotso. Our group leader, who pushed, supported, and believed in me.
Weekend version of you?
Family time, travel, long lunches with friends, gym, Pilates, horse riding, and running.
Advice for someone considering the Henley MBA?
Go for it. It will stretch you, shape you, and ground you: as a leader and as a human being.