Ntebaleng Twala CA(SA), 34

Finalist: Impact Champion | SAICA Top-35-Under-35 Awards 2025

Ntebaleng Twala is a Chartered Accountant whose leadership blends financial excellence, innovation, and a deep commitment to social impact. At 34, she serves as Head of Finance for PPB Unsecured Lending at Standard Bank, overseeing a R65 billion portfolio, while simultaneously driving initiatives that empower women and youth across South Africa.

Her journey began in Mabopane, Pretoria, where she was raised by a mother who taught in under-resourced schools. Inspired by her mother’s dedication to education, Ntebaleng has built a career rooted in service, upliftment, and transformation. After joining Standard Bank in 2017 as a Junior Finance Manager, she quickly rose through the ranks — promoted to Middle Manager within a year, and appointed Head of Finance by 2024.

Her impact at Standard Bank includes winning the 2022 Ideation Challenge, where she proposed cutting-edge solutions to propel the organisation forward. She also founded Power In Her, a women-led forum within the bank that unites women across races, cultures, and seniority levels to support and empower one another. As the first and current chairperson, she leads this movement with authenticity and vision.

Ntebaleng’s commitment to education and youth development led her to establish the Edu Snapper Foundation in 2018. The NGO exposes learners from underprivileged schools to diverse careers, mentorship, and life coaching. Pre-pandemic, Edu Snapper hosted in-person career expos across Gauteng, reaching hundreds of learners. During COVID-19, she pivoted to digital platforms, leveraging her learnings from the London School of Economics’ Technological Disruption programme to create virtual career expos using AI and digital content. The foundation has since achieved over 104,000 impressions and 13,566 views across YouTube and Instagram, expanding its reach beyond South Africa’s borders.

Her passion for transformation extends into the profession. As a member of the African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA), she serves on the Public Relations and Marketing Committee, capturing and sharing the organisation’s impact through photography, video, and storytelling. In 2022, she was honoured with the AWCA President’s Award for her contributions. She also served as Managing Editor of Passion Magazine, and led fundraising campaigns that raised R320,000 for bursaries.

Ntebaleng is also an entrepreneur. In 2018, she founded The Artsy Snapper Pty Ltd, a film and photography business that has grown into a thriving enterprise with clients including Allan Gray, Hollard, PPS, Duke University, IWFSA, and the G-20. The business has created employment for nine freelance creatives and expanded its footprint to Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, and the USA.

Her academic journey includes a Master of Business Administration (specialising in Law) from the University of London, and executive programmes at Oxford’s Saïd Business School and the London School of Economics.

Ntebaleng Twala leads with purpose, creativity, and courage. Her work exemplifies the spirit of an Impact Champion — proving that finance, when paired with vision and heart, can transform lives, communities, and futures.