Finalist: SAICA Trainee Trailblazer Awards 2025

Makhele Bevelina Ledwaba is a trainee whose journey is defined by resilience, compassion, and a deep commitment to personal growth and community impact. Her story is one of perseverance through adversity, and her leadership reflects the power of vulnerability, healing, and purpose.

Born in Ga-Mashashane, Limpopo, and raised in Johannesburg, Makhele grew up in a family of five children. Her father, a facilities operator at Jeppe High School for Boys, pursued his education through Unisa and became a laboratory assistant — a journey that inspired Makhele to believe in the transformative power of learning. From a young age, she displayed leadership and determination, earning full colours for hockey, serving as vice captain, prefect, and class leader at Jeppe High School for Girls.

Faced with financial constraints, Makhele sold cupcakes at school to raise money for university application fees. Her resourcefulness and grit led to a bursary for her undergraduate studies, and later, she self-funded her Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting (PGDA) while working full-time in the Old Mutual Finance Graduate Programme.

Her journey took a heartbreaking turn when, on the same day she received her PGDA results, her mother was diagnosed with a fatal disease. Balancing exam preparation with caregiving, Makhele faced immense emotional strain. Her mother passed away in 2024, and Makhele, was left to navigate grief while preparing for the Initial Assessment of Competence (IAC). Though she missed the pass mark by some points, she refused to let the setback define her.

With the support of therapy, prayer, and her community, Makhele found the strength to try again. In June 2025, she passed the IAC, honoring her mother’s legacy and proving that resilience is not about never falling — but about rising again with courage and grace.

At Old Mutual, Makhele serves on the Social Media Committee of the trainee programme, promoting awareness and building relationships with student organisations like ABASA UJ. She represented Old Mutual at ABASA’s firm mixer, sharing her story to inspire students to pursue careers in accounting. She also initiated a partnership with the Home of Hope for Girls, raising funds and organizing a Mandela Day event to empower vulnerable young girls.

Her advocacy for mental health is deeply personal. Through her own healing journey, she has become a safe space for peers and colleagues, sharing resources and encouraging others to seek help. She believes that asking for support is a strength, and she uses her voice to normalize conversations around wellness in the profession.

Makhele exemplifies the spirit of a Resilience & Wellness Champion — a woman who turns pain into purpose, leads with empathy, and uplifts others through her story. Her journey is a beacon of hope for young professionals navigating challenges, and her impact continues to ripple through communities and hearts.