Although Women’s Month is almost over, there is always good reason to celebrate the exceptional women leaders who are associated with BLSA and contribute to its success in different ways.

BLSA’s non-executive director and PwC’s CEO, Ms. Shirley Machaba, shares insights on her source of motivation, South Africa’s most pressing issues, and her advice for aspiring women who admire her.

What made you to join the BLSA board?
BLSA members represent big business and BLSA is key in collaborating with Government with the aim to build trust and solve important problems. I needed to be part of a structure that is influential in key decisions of the country in the interest of a capable State.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Building a community of solvers in the firm with a culture that is transformed, diverse and inclusive and embracing Ubuntu/our humanity through a societal purpose strategy.

What is the best advice you were given?
Be faithful to what God wants you to do

Name the woman you admire and why
I admire my mother because while she is 80 years she is still economically active.

What advice would you give other women aspiring to positions of leadership?
“The world has changed dramatically due to short term crises and ever evolving megatrends such as climate change, technology disruptions, fractured world, democratic shifts and social instability. Transformational leaders are required to lead, inspire, motivate and encourage innovation to transcend the tried and tested approaches.”

What is the single biggest problem you think needs to be addressed in SA and why?
Youth unemployment because if not addressed it could lead to social unrest.  This will affect investor confidence, our quality of life will erode, the economy will not grow, and we will not have an inclusive capable state.