Page 65 - KZN Leaders Portfolio E-BOOK 2107

Management Consulting Director at KPMG in my career,” said Shabalala. Being Head of the
Public Sector involves acting as coordinator for the
EO SHABALALA lives by the personal firm’s biggest client. Shabalala assists with the KPMG
mantra: “I can do anything as long as I set public sector’s performance in the marketplace,
my mind to it.” She added, “I believe that including ensuring that regulatory requirements are
N there are no limitations to what I can do adhered to. Her responsibilities comprise monitoring
and achieve.” and evaluating strategy implementation.
These beliefs have served Shabalala well and Shabalala was well prepared for this role having
have allowed her career path to change and grow worked with all spheres of government as well
over time. Shabalala’s childhood years were spent as state owned enterprises as her clients. One of
in Lesotho where she completed her schooling. Shabalala’s areas of expertise is Enterprise Architecture
Her tertiary education started in Grahamstown and and IT Strategy. Shabalala’s job roles include being
continued in Durban. Shabalala completed a Business chairperson of the KPMG transformation committee.
Management and Administration Diploma at Varsity This committee promotes diversity within the firm and
College, a Bachelor of Commerce in Information ensures that there is equal opportunity and fairness
Systems at UKZN, followed by Honours Bachelor of among employees in the workplace. “I thoroughly
Science in Information Science at UNISA. enjoy watching other people grow and I love mentoring
people. Being a leader provides me the opportunity to
Her career has not always been smooth sailing; an
initial challenge experienced was that of entering the engage with the team and adopt an inclusive approach
to tasks. I like to collaborate; you can always learn
job market. Her childhood in Lesotho had not prepared from the input of others and I enjoy brainstorming
her for the world of work and she found that the cultural sessions. However, I will take control when required,”
differences were difficult to adjust too. Shabalala also said Shabalala.
initially found herself lacking in self-confidence and was
unable to sell her strengths sufficiently. Shabalala has recently worked on a project that has
been very complex and challenging. She said, ‘I have
Working at KPMG has enabled her to overcome been challenged to my core but I have learnt a lot
these obstacles. KPMG allows innovation and about stakeholders and risk on a daily basis.
employees are encouraged to take on different roles
and responsibilities, according to their specialisation. The project has included interactions with multiple
stakeholders and has involved much time, which has
Shabalala took part in KPMG’s development resulted in high profile changes to an organisation’s
programme, which includes soft skills training in DNA.” In response to her current roles, Shabalala said,
presentation, business development, business writing “I feel that I am now able to enjoy the fruits of my
and advisory training amongst other courses. “I have hard labour. My focus is now on consolidation within
learnt from the people around me through observation my work roles and responsibilities. I would like to
and from evaluating their journeys critically. I am also build my personal brand, solidify and build what
aware of my own self-learning, which has prompted my I am about.”
development,” added Shabalala.
During the past 19 years, Shabalala, who is
These opportunities along with her personal married, spare time was very focused on her daughter
ambition have allowed her career to advance and who is a talented gymnast. Now that her daughter is
branch out into new responsibilities. “I have learnt to studying architecture at the University of Cape Town,
make myself known for my skills and capabilities and Shabalala has more spare time and enjoys relaxing
while I still have a reserved personality, I allow my at home in front of the television and running for
successes to speak for myself,” said Shabalala. “I allow exercise. She also enjoys reading motivational books
my delivery to reflect my abilities and I constantly when on holiday.
evaluate what people and clients require from me. But
most importantly, I remain true to myself,” she said. Time out is important to Shabalala as it allows her
to be silent and to reflect on and choose her future
As her father raised her, Shabalala has not felt path. “I am constantly reinventing myself,” she added.
that being female has limited her career in a male One of her dreams is to take up a much bigger
dominated world. A highlight of her career was role within KPMG. “I believe that I am destined for
becoming one of the youngest Partners at KPMG greatness and intend to grab onto success with two
KwaZulu-Natal. “This was a hugely exciting milestone hands and make it happen,” concluded Shabalala.

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