Imagine a South Africa filled with blue ocean strategists and graduates who approach their qualifications, even the seemingly basic ones, with an entrepreneurial mindset. Nompilo Gumede, accountant, speaker, entrepreneur and women’s empowerment advocate, believes that the key to a South Africa abounding in employed graduates lies in innovative thinking, collaboration, self-confidence and empowerment.

Gumede’s distinguished career in accountancy and later public speaking was sparked at a young age during a moment of quiet reflection. "I want to live a life of significance," she cogitated. However, words wouldn’t suffice; she turned her vision into action. She became the top accounting learner at her school. She later pursued a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences at Unisa, laying the foundation for her journey of transforming her business aspirations into a meaningful reality.

Transforming setbacks into CEO attributes

Some noble attributes are formed in times of peace, while others are forged in times of adversity. In the ever-changing world of business, adaptability is essential. Even strategic management models such as PESTEL highlight how political, economic, social, technological and legal factors demand both personal and organisational agility. The important question is: If you are a current or aspiring CEO, have you developed the attributes needed to withstand the pressures that inevitably shape leadership?

For Gumede, compelling change was a defining part of her upbringing, one that, in hindsight, prepared her not just technically but personally for her role in business. She lived in Nkandla, then Umzinto, for a year until her parents divorced. She moved to eMseleni, where she attended Khula Senior Secondary School, and later left for Durban to pursue university studies. Eventually, she settled in Pietermaritzburg, where her family and business are now based.

Amid the instability of constant relocation and shifting family dynamics, Gumede experienced a deep sense of loss, particularly a lack of belonging and identity. Yet, she believes these very challenges laid the foundation for key business attributes: adaptability and the ability to build collaborative relationships.

When asked about the lessons learnt from her various collaborations and partnerships, she emphasises the power of intentional networking and constant personal growth to become a better leader. "In 2022, I was appointed CEO of Women in Business because of my passion for women's empowerment. I have since flourished as a leader. More than a thousand women look up to me as their role model," she reflects.

Humility and the mindset of greatness: essential attributes for succeeding as a Unisa student

Gumede’s goal of pursuing her studies at Unisa was a practical one, yet it pointed toward a remarkable destiny. She explains: "I wanted to pursue my studies while working." However, the challenges she encountered along the way transformed her approach toward studying and her outlook on life in general. "Studying at Unisa humbled me," she reflects. "I grew up a top student and was not used to failure at all – that was my biggest challenge. I loved accounting and used to get full marks in tests and exams at school. I often helped fellow learners who battled with accounting. But at university, I had to develop a transformed mindset in order to achieve greatness."

When asked how her academic knowledge of accounting has contributed to her career success, she says: "The pieces of the puzzle are constantly coming together to form a beautiful shape." Drawing from experience, she highlights the strong connection between being an accountant, an entrepreneur and a CEO. "Being in a professional business environment is all I’ve ever known career-wise. I served in corporate for 16 years, which gave me broad exposure to various aspects of business before launching my own accounting firm," she explains.

Collaboration, empowerment and success

Profitability and personal success don’t happen in isolation. For Gumede, empowerment means advancing a cause with selfless intent. She notes: "We must lift one another as we rise – that is how I define empowerment. As a CEO, my core definition of success is having a clear vision and a driven team."

The fruits of consistency

In 2024, Gumede was honoured as one of South Africa’s top 100 influential women and was recognised at the SHE GLOBAL Awards, reaching the final phase in the Founder of the Year (Over 30) category. In 2025, she received the Umyezane Award for Best Exempted Micro Enterprise (third place) and a R50 000 contribution to her business. Through the organisation she leads, Women in Business, a non-profit organisation, Gumede and her team host monthly networking events. She is also a frequent radio contributor on topics related to business and regulatory compliance.

Inspiration for aspiring accountants and students at large

To Unisa students, graduates and aspiring accountants, Gumede stresses the importance of unwavering dedication and confidence in one’s long-term goals. "Believe in the beauty of your dreams and realise that the world owes you nothing. Show up and trust the process. To aspiring accountants: know that you are the ones entrusted to bring solutions and to advocate for compliance in the business world," she advises. Speaking to a broader audience, Gumede concludes with a call to action: "Entrepreneurship will increase job opportunities in our country; we must develop innovative ideas."

* By Mxolisi Phakeme Nxumalo, Communication and Marketing Intern, KwaZulu-Natal Region