Lesego (Ramaila) Rankou CA(SA), 30

Finalist: SAICA Brand Ambassador | SAICA Top-35-Under-35 Awards 2025

Lesego Rankou is a dynamic Chartered Accountant whose influence extends far beyond technical excellence. She is a speaker, MC, digital content creator, and founder of the Learning, Growth and Contribution (LGC) Foundation, a registered NPO that empowers young professionals to lead with purpose, resilience, and ethical impact.

Her journey began in Klerksdorp, North West, raised by her grandmother — a foundation that instilled resilience, curiosity, and a deep sense of purpose. After studying at Monash University and UNISA, Lesego completed her articles at a Big Four firm, working across Telecommunications, Media, and Technology sectors, and later supporting UK clients. These experiences shaped her belief that success is not just about skills, but about courage and self-belief.

As a SAICA Brand Ambassador, Lesego has become a powerful voice for transformation, inclusion, and values-driven leadership. She has hosted flagship SAICA events including the Top-35-Under-35 Awards, Trailblazer Awards, HR Luncheon, and Student Leadership Awards, using her platform to model ethical professionalism and inspire others to see their designation as a tool for impact.

Her flagship initiative, Bridge the Gap: Empowering Professionals, has reached over 150 trainee accountants through immersive workshops that blend technical development with wellness, resilience, and personal branding. In 2025, she launched Bridge the Gap: Step into the Ring, a bold, interactive experience designed to help young professionals confront self-doubt and step into their potential. Post-event resources — including a Google Classroom with learning materials, a 21-day challenge, and a website offering free online templates — reinforce learning and support measurable outcomes.

Lesego’s advocacy is strategic and measurable. She secured partnerships with Standard Bank, FASSET, and the Auditor General of South Africa, raising over R160,000 in support of the Bridge the Gap workshop. Her digital content — spanning TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram — has reached over 1 million impressions, sparking conversations about ethical leadership and professional growth.

She is also a SAICA Youth Ambassador, Golden Key International Honour Society member, and alumna of the IWFSA-FASSET Women Leadership Programme. Her work has been featured on Lesedi FM, Daily Thetha, and in school roadshows, where she inspires learners to pursue accounting with confidence and creativity.

Outside of work, Lesego is a wife and mother — a role she humorously compares to managing a small audit team with fewer spreadsheets and more opinions. Her life is a testament to balance, authenticity, and the belief that growth is not linear.

Lesego Rankou leads with heart, humour, and strategy. As a SAICA Brand Ambassador, she embodies the ethos of difference-making — proving that professional designations are not just titles, but tools to unlock purpose, influence, and lasting impact.