Page 47 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

You are enough as you are, your past will not define your future.

The future is as good as you will choose it to be for yourself.

clear on a goal you want to achieve and implement In commenting on women’s approach to business
Divisional Finance Director, a plan that you will follow.”
for Unilever – Africa Mpume says that human beings are born to live
Storytelling moments their purpose, which is often displayed through
PUME LANGA lives by the motto “Life is Mpume says that her inspiration to succeed has their choices and behaviours. “When the purpose
Beautiful” which is that of living life free come from her mother whom she lost over 20 years is starved, the soul will live in destruction. Women
Mfrom fear and doubt. tend to be more in touch with their emotional side,
ago. “She raised three daughters on her own during which is where the soul sits, leading to them living
Being an accomplished business executive, the most trying times in South Africa. My mother more aligned to their purpose.
Mpume has had over 20 years’ experience in always shared her dream and life lessons with us
strategy, leadership and portfolio management in during storytelling moments. Her dreams somehow People with purpose make fair, ethical and dedicated
the financial services industry. She holds several became my dreams onto which I built my future.” leaders, which is what the world has come to realise.
qualifications in finance, marketing and executive “My mother’s passion to serve her community and Based on this premise, women look at success and
leadership from various universities in South Africa, her village in Watersmeet with the very little that she business in a more sustainable way, which is how
China and United Kingdom. they tend to approach business and social activism.”
had, instilled in me that there is always something
Looking back to see how far she has come, Mpume to share with your neighbours to make their life a Seeking solutions
said that she set her heart on becoming a bank little better than what it was yesterday. My mother Mpume says that looking from where she has come
manager after she got into United Bank on a supported many other families just to give them a from, she is happy with her accomplishments, and
learnership programme. After several junior roles, chance of a better life, if not for themselves, then for still looks forward to more to come. “I would really
Mpume has fulled management roles in a number their children. like to be more involved in areas that influence the
of different banks. She was the first African woman I continue to live my life under her influence and social structures of Africa to seek solutions to move
to be appointed head of ABSA Private Bank KZN and hope to be able to share a bit of me with those who Africa to be an economically thriving continent. The
more recently was regional executive of Bidvest can benefit from it.” potential in Africa needs to be realised sooner rather
Bank, KZN. than later. It is a big ambition and hope that I will
In order to help make her life and her mother’s life
Mpume is a member of The Institute of Directors better, Mpume started working from an early age. be able to make it a reality. I believe that the future
SA and holds non-executive directorship positions Her first business was selling sweets and ice lollies. leaders required to make this happen are feminine.”
on several boards in South Africa. She sits as the Mpume learnt to speak English and how to operate Mpume is married to Ndabo Langa, and they have
chairperson of Women in Business at the Durban a computer in her teens; was runner up in a beauty two children, an eleven-year-old daughter and a
Chamber of Commerce and is the former regional pageant and won a modelling course. “Modelling nine-year-old son. “I love life and count at least one
chairperson of the Businesswomen’s Association of made me think I was not good enough. This allowed blessing every day. I have been blessed with good
South Africa.
self-doubt to get in the way – and fear. I reached a children, family and friends in a beautiful country.
Her passion for business transformation is evident really low point in my life and almost ended it, but I When I am not working, I am in nature, with family
in the successful implementation of turnaround was helped out of this pit of despair by the man who and friends – on a hike, a road trip or somewhere I
strategies for various businesses at start-up and was to become my husband,” she explained. have not been before. There is so much I still need to
corporate levels. Mpume has developed several Mpume attended school from the age of four, but see and discover in life, and my spare time is spent
leadership development programmes for local and had to walk for miles, and take a bus, to get there. seeking those adventures.”
multinational organisations in line with their business “Once when I got lost, an old lady of 80 helped me If Mpume could advise her younger self, she would
growth and talent retention strategies. say: “You are enough as you are, your past will not
find my way home. There have always been people
She is also an active driver of woman and youth in my life who have helped me to overcome my fears define your future. The future is as good as you will
empowerment. Her advice to young people is “be and find my way home.” choose it to be for yourself.”

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