Zintle Tshem CA(SA), 35

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

Zintle Tshem CA(SA) is a dynamic finance professional and purpose-driven leader whose impact extends far beyond the boardroom. As a Senior Manager in the Resource Management Unit (RMU) at the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), and Chairperson and Founder of the SOMA Foundation, Zintle exemplifies the power of using professional expertise to drive social change.

Zintle’s career in public sector auditing began at AGSA, where she rose through the ranks from Trainee Auditor to Assistant Manager, and eventually to her current senior leadership role. Her audit portfolio includes high-impact institutions such as Denel Group, the Public Protector of South Africa, the Guardian’s Fund, and various municipalities. Her technical expertise spans IFRS, GRAP, tax, corporate governance, and risk management, underpinned by a CTA from UNISA, a BCom degree from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, and Management Development Programme from Wits University.

But it is Zintle’s work outside the office that truly sets her apart. In 2022, she founded the SOMA Foundation, a registered non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering communities through sports development, entrepreneurship, and digital skills training. Under her leadership, SOMA has become a beacon of hope for unemployed youth and aspiring entrepreneurs in underserved areas.

One of the foundation’s flagship initiatives is the Annual Sports Festival and Market Day, a vibrant platform that showcases local talent and small businesses. The Annual Sports Festival is supported by major brands such as Telkom, Vitality, Broadacres Superspar, Sportsmans Warehouse, and Aquelle, the event fosters community cohesion, economic opportunity, and long-term partnerships for participants.

In 2025, Zintle led the rollout of a Digital Skills Training Programme for 21 unemployed youth in Diepsloot. In collaboration with award-winning tech firm Ginini Consulting and global agency Publicis Groupe Africa, the programme equipped participants with in-demand digital and entrepreneurial skills. The impact has been immediate and tangible: several graduates have secured placements in learnerships and employment, while others are being incubated to launch their own digital ventures.

Zintle’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. She was named First Runner-Up for Community Heroine at the Gauteng Women Excellence Awards, hosted by the Premier on International Women’s Day, and First Runner-Up for Community Builder of the Year at the prestigious BBQ Awards. Within AGSA, she leads the CWC team, which was recognised by the CFO and the broader organisation for its strategic contributions to financial efficiency.

Zintle’s leadership is rooted in authenticity, service, and a deep belief in the potential of others. Whether she’s managing national audits or mentoring young entrepreneurs, she brings the same passion and precision to every endeavour. Her story is a powerful reminder that Chartered Accountants (SA) can be architects of both financial integrity and social transformation.