Finalist: SAICA Trainee Trailblazer Awards 2025

Phumzile Hadebe is a second-year CA(SA) trainee who’s committed to transforming the trainee experience. She is someone who sees a need, acts on it, and creates lasting change.

Phumzile believes that success in the profession is not only about technical skill, but also about purpose, people, and progress. Throughout her journey, she has led and contributed to initiatives that challenge outdated systems, foster collaboration, and build inclusive spaces where trainees feel supported, seen, and empowered.

As a member of Moore Johannesburg’s first Shadow Board, Phumzile holds the Recruitment portfolio, where she has played a key role in securing SAICA trainee contracts for 2026. Her work in this space reflects a future-focused approach to talent development, one that prioritises diversity, sustainability, and long-term impact.

She also serves as a Johannesburg Clerks Association representative, where she has worked to increase trainee participation in volunteering and networking initiatives. Her efforts have helped shape well-rounded, socially aware professionals who understand the value of giving back and building community.

Phumzile’s innovation is rooted in empathy. She has created support structures for trainees balancing work and studies, recognising the emotional and academic pressures that come with the journey to becoming a CA(SA). Her initiatives have helped build communities of care, where trainees can share, grow, and thrive together.

Her leadership is not about titles, it’s about action. Phumzile consistently challenges the status quo, advocates for change, and leads with purpose. She believes that the trainee journey should be more human and sustainable, and she works tirelessly to make that vision a reality.

Whether influencing recruitment strategy, driving community engagement, or building peer support networks, Phumzile leads with a clear goal: to make things better, not just for herself, but for everyone walking the same path.

Phumzile Hadebe exemplifies the spirit of a Disruptive Innovator. She is a young professional who brings new ideas, challenges old ways, and leads with impact. Her work is shaping a profession that values both excellence and humanity, and her journey continues to inspire those around her to lead with heart and purpose.