Inspiring Future Female Leaders

The Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (ABASA), UKZN Westville Student Chapter, hosted its annual “Women in Corporate” event in September.

The gathering brought together a dynamic panel of professionals to empower and inspire female Accounting students preparing for careers in the corporate world.

Now in its second year, the initiative continues to serve as a preparatory platform, equipping young women with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate an industry that remains largely male-dominated.

Esteemed speakers included Ms Elizabeth Alcock CA(SA); Ms Degracia Ngubane CA(SA) from BDO; ABASA Provincial Treasurer and audit trainee Ms Olwethu Ndlovu; UKZN senior lecturer, Ms Zamanguni Gumede CA(SA); and UKZN Health Promoter and Campus HIV and AIDS Support Unit Coordinator, Ms Pinky Mnyaka. Together they offered a holistic perspective on professional and personal development.

The panellists, each of whom had walked the same path as the aspiring accountants in attendance, shared valuable insights into the realities of corporate life. They discussed the challenges encountered along the way, the resilience needed to overcome them, and the importance of striving for continuous improvement.

In line with a quote from Maya Angelou – “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better,” highlighting the importance of lifelong learning in the pursuit of excellence; students were reminded that success is rarely linear and that persistence is vital. One of the recurring themes was the idea that “dreams delayed are not dreams denied,” – a phrase that resonated strongly with attendees, encouraging them to view obstacles as stepping stones rather than barriers.

The event concluded on a hopeful note, with students leaving motivated to pursue their ambitions with greater determination. By sharing their stories and offering practical advice, the speakers not only equipped the students with tools for success but also reinforced the power of perseverance, resilience, and community support.

The Women in Corporate event proved to be a resounding success, affirming ABASA UKZN’s commitment to empowering the next generation of female professionals in the Accounting sector.

Words: Aphiwe Mbhele

Photographs: Supplied