What do journalism and accounting have in common? For Tumi Mokgoko, it’s the power to tell stories − especially the ones hidden in the numbers. From the public sector to the JSE to her current role at KPMG, she has gained a well-rounded view of how organisations function and where they fail. Her message is clear: transformation is not a box to tick. It starts early, continues throughout a career, and depends on a strong, supported pipeline.

When Pumla Molope’s mother, Nosipho, decided to study her CA(SA) after having completed her science degree (and while raising a family), she did more than simply open her daughter’s eyes to an exciting and dynamic profession. She taught her that it’s never too late, and you can achieve whatever you set your mind to. As the newest president of African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA), Pumla is hoping to convey the same message to a new generation of women.

It’s been said time and again that the CA(SA) qualification takes grit and guts. Patricia Malahlela, a senior accountant at Mckenzie & Associates, has shown that she has these qualities in droves – and then some.