Page 10 - Business Sense-11.4 - KZN Top Business Awards Supplement -EBOOK

LEADING PEOPLE WITH PURPOSE

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

his statement was His leadership has yielded
an inspiring high remarkable results. From a
Tpoint of Lincoln R700 million loss in 2022,
Mali, CEO of Lesaka Lesaka is now forecasting
Technologies Inc., powerful between R900 million
keynote address at the and R1 billion in profit for
KZN Top Business Awards the 2025 financial year.
2025 on entrepreneurship, The business currently
leadership, and purpose. serves over 120,000 active
merchants and 1.9 million
Mali’s address to the consumers – many of whom
audience began with a were previously excluded
challenge: “A mediocre
leader tells. A good leader from the formal economy.
explains. A superior But Mali reminded the
leader shows. But a great audience that this was just
leader inspires.” He added, the beginning. “This is not
“Tonight, I’ve chosen our finishing line. This is our
to tell the story of my foundation.” He emphasised
entrepreneurial journey the importance of people,
in the hope that it might stating, “We don’t build a
inspire one or two of you business – we build people,
to take your business to the Lincoln Mali, CEO of Lesaka Technologies Inc. and then the people build
next level.” the business.”
the then-troubled fintech of their questions,” he – a calling to lead with name that means ‘kraal’, or
Reflecting on his transition In his closing, Mali called
from a 20-year corporate company that would commented candidly. purpose, to build platforms a safe, communal space – on the business community
career, including his time become Lesaka. “I left my What began as a mission that matter, and to was “a declaration of intent,” to lead differently: “Let us
serve. Because if serving
as Head of Card and beloved Standard Bank for to support a struggling is beneath you, then said Mali. “We are not just be the kind of leaders who
Payments at Standard an uncertain future. Many business evolved into leadership is beyond you.” digitising transactions; we’re inspire not just in words, but
Bank, Mali spoke candidly of my colleagues never something far more humanising technology. with action. Let us lead with
about the personal leap understood why – perhaps meaningful. “It became The transformation of the We’re not selling products; soul, with humanity, and
he made when joining tonight I’ve answered some an undeniable calling company into Lesaka – a we’re enabling potential.” with big hearts.” 

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
publication is the KZN Top the principles of King
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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