Page 2 - KZN Top Business Awards Supplement- eBook 2025

LEADING PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE

TRUE LEADERSHIP IS NOT ABOUT COMMAND AND CONTROL – IT’S ABOUT CONNECTION, SERVICE AND SOUL.”

his statement was between R900 million
an inspiring high and R1 billion in profit for
Tpoint of Lincoln the 2025 financial year.
Mali, CEO of Lesaka The business currently
Technologies Inc., powerful serves over 120,000 active
keynote address at the merchants and 1.9 million
KZN Top Business Awards consumers – many of whom
2025 on entrepreneurship, were previously excluded
leadership, and purpose. from the formal economy.

Mali’s address to the But Mali reminded the
audience began with a audience that this was just
challenge: “A mediocre the beginning. “This is not
leader tells. A good leader our finishing line. This is our
explains. A superior foundation.” He emphasised
leader shows. But a great the importance of people,
leader inspires.” He added, stating, “We don’t build a
“Tonight, I’ve chosen business – we build people,
to tell the story of my and then the people build the
entrepreneurial journey in business.”
the hope that it might inspire In his closing, Mali called
one or two of you to take on the business community
your business to the next Lincoln Mali, CEO of Lesaka Technologies Inc. to lead differently: “Let us
level.”
fintech company that would What began as a mission to beneath you, then leadership digitising transactions; we’re be the kind of leaders who
Reflecting on his transition become Lesaka. “I left my support a struggling business is beyond you.” humanising technology. inspire not just in words, but
from a 20-year corporate beloved Standard Bank for evolved into something The transformation of the We’re not selling products; with action. Let us lead with
career, including his time as an uncertain future. Many far more meaningful. “It company into Lesaka – a we’re enabling potential.” soul, with humanity, and
Head of Card and Payments of my colleagues never became an undeniable name that means ‘kraal’, or His leadership has yielded with big hearts.” 
at Standard Bank, Mali understood why – perhaps calling – a calling to lead a safe, communal space – remarkable results. From a
spoke candidly about the tonight I’ve answered some with purpose, to build was “a declaration of intent,” R700 million loss in 2022,
personal leap he made when of their questions,” he platforms that matter, and to said Mali. “We are not just Lesaka is now forecasting
joining the then-troubled commented candidly. serve. Because if serving is

KZN TOP BUSINESS

LEADS THE WAY

ZN Top Business, a and inspiring journeys of performance and value
content marketing some of the region’s most creation, adequate and
Kcompany that influential business figures. effective control, and
has been a driving force The 2025 editions of trust, good reputation,
in the industry since and legitimacy.
1998, has truly made its these publications will be
mark over the past 27 launched at an executive CEO Grant Adlam sums
breakfast on the 17
years. Specialising in it up best: “Innovation,
crafting and distributing September at the IBV Privé excellence, and
tailored content, in Park Square, Umhlanga. collaboration are at the
KZN Top Business KZN TOP BUSINESS core of everything we do
helps brands enhance AWARDS at KZN Top Business. We
their visibility, build are committed to helping
stronger connections, Following from the businesses grow their
and improve client portfolios, the annual visibility and strengthen
retention with impactful KZN Top Business Awards connections within
marketing campaigns. showcases many of these the local and broader
companies and leaders’ business communities.
At the heart of everything success stories. The awards The future is bright, and
KZN Top Business are open to companies or we’re excited for what’s
does is the KwaZulu- organisations that have an ahead.”
Natal Top Business office in KZN. Of primary
Portfolio, the company’s importance, entrants are KZN Top Business’s
flagship offering, which required to explain how commitment to
features many of the their company contributes innovation and growth
successful businesses to the KZN economy. To ensures its continued
and organisations in the qualify they must have impact on the local
province. business landscape,
a proactive business
Running alongside this model that adheres to helping companies thrive
now and in the years to
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Business Leaders Portfolio IV achieving the four come. 
which honours the governance outcomes
remarkable achievements of: ethical culture, good Visit www.kzntopbusiness.com

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