NEWCASTLE KZN: Newcastle’s Simpiwe Zuma is among 100 of the most influential South Africans

A passion for life is a sentiment 34-year-old, Simphiwe Zuma holds near and dear to heart.

It is what drives her, motivates her and what she built her career in the final analysis. Zuma was recently honoured after being named among Avance Media’s 2020 list of the 100 Most Influential Young South Africans.

According to her, the list is aimed at highlighting the most dedicated young people who excelled in their businesses and professions despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The list included activists, speakers, entrepreneurs, musicians, media personalities, and politicians, including Trevor Noah, Siya Kolisi, Master KG, Pearl Thusi, and Vusi Thembekwayo, to name a few,” she said.

The Newcastle Advertiser recently conducted an exclusive interview with Zuma, hoping to get to know her better:

What is your relationship status like currently: I am single and currently not in a relationship and I don’t have any children as yet.

NA – You mentioned you currently reside in Joburg now. Tell us more:

SZ – Yes, I am indeed based in Johannesburg. Work is what brought me to here, but as an active citizen at heart, volunteering with an international non-profit organization of young active citizens, has been a big part of my life in Joburg. Our work provides opportunities for young people to grow so that they can make a positive difference in the world.

NA – Who is your role model?

SZ – I admire a few people, but my number one role model is my late father, who demonstrated outstanding leadership at home, at work, and in society. He led with honesty, sincere concern for others’ well-being and development, and he taught me that leadership is a lifelong duty, not just a role.

NA – What exactly do you do for a living?

SZ – I am a qualified accountant who is an associate member of SAICA with the AGA (SA) professional designation. I am responsible for the growth through sales of the business’ key accounts and I am also responsible for the establishment of key stakeholder relations including relationships with the Auditor Generals, Accounting Institutes and network firms.

Simphiwe Zuma is a qualified accountant who is an associate member of SAICA with the AGA (SA) professional designation.

NA – How long have you been doing this? 

SZ – Since 2015, I’ve worked in the auditing and accounting software industry. As the company expanded further into Africa, I grew into various positions within the sales department, eventually being head-hunted for the business development job.

NA – What do you do in your spare time? 

SZ – My free time is currently spent conducting research and/or putting together content for my newly launched company. On a part-time basis, I work as a speaker, teacher, and MC. I offer training programs or keynote addresses to organizations and individuals on the Future of Work, Skills of the Future, and use the Sustainable Development Goals to build a sustainable future, based on my MBA research and enthusiasm for creating a better future for everyone.

NA – What other hobbies do you have? 

SZ – I strive to maintain a healthy lifestyle by going for walks and short hikes in nature. I swim and recently started yoga, and I try to read as much as possible.

NA – Where do you see yourself in the next ten years? 

SZ – I’ve committed to using my talents, exposure, and networks to help promote a poverty-free, highly qualified community, and a self-sustaining continent. Professionally, I see myself running my own consultancy firm aimed at closing the skills gap in South Africa and the continent as a whole. I envision myself as the founder of a foundation that supports programs in rural and township communities to help young people learn the skills they need to not only have an entrepreneurial mentality, but also to start their own companies and other initiatives that help our communities become more self-sustaining.

NA – I see you are actively involved in charity. Please elaborate:

SZ – I am currently a member of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Sandton, a non-profit organisation of young engaged people based in South Africa. Our work provides young people with resources for success so that they can make a meaningful difference in the world. We’ve worked with underprivileged schools in places and launched projects with the City of Joburg to assist those who have been left without food as a result of COVID-19’s negative impact. Outside of JCI, however, I donate to various organizations that strive to make a positive difference in societies, such as Save the Children South Africa and Moment of Action in Osizweni.

NA – Have you always been passionate about helping others?

SZ – My parents raised me in a home where they helped various people who came to our house seeking assistance. Even though we were not rich, I learned early on that everything we had was a blessing that we should be able to share with others. This is something I’ve always believed in and continue to do my utmost to help in every way I can, whether it’s with my time, expertise, or money. I believe that supporting one another as individuals has a positive ripple effect in the world, and when I extend my hand to you, you will extend your hand to the next person, and so on. The world won’t just become a better place on its own, it needs all of us to lend a hand. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.

NA – What inspires you in life?

SZ – Individuals who do their best for the well-being of others always humble and inspire me, especially those who do it when no one is looking, when there is no pay check or accolade waiting for them. These are the people we often encounter in our rural and township communities who take it upon themselves to solve neighbourhood problems. They always lack resources but are motivated by a strong sense of purpose. They make the most of the situation. They have encouraged me to have a more positive attitude, to start where I am with what I have and to do the best I can in any situation rather than waiting for the perfect day.

100 Most Influential Young South African’s nomination

NA – Congratulations on such a remarkable achievement! Please elaborate on your nomination and how you came to be nominated:

SZ – Thank you so much! The news of the nomination and eventual recognition came as a nice surprise. For the past 5 years, the Ghanaian-based media house has recognised young people making a positive impact in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, DR Congo, Cameroon, and Kenya.

As the Local President of JCI Sandton in 2020, I lead the organisation. Under my leadership, the organisation advocated for issues that gave young people a voice and challenged them to take responsibility for the future of their communities and the continent as a whole.

We hosted the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, His Excellency Cllr Geoff Makhubo, and invited like-minded youth-led organisations to discuss the role that young people could play in making Joburg cleaner and safer.

This was done to raise awareness, while also ensuring that young people are active citizens in building a cleaner and safer city. With the spread of the pandemic, we were unable to hold physical events and instead launched an online webinar series to raise awareness and drive young people’s adoption of Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want, which is a more prosperous continent.

These are just a few of the initiatives we focused on after realising that a better continent, country, or community cannot be achieved unless young people are engaged.

We actively focused on educating youth and creating a platform for engagement and, ultimately, action. My nomination was intended to recognise the impact of my leadership during my tenure.

JCI Sandton was named the Most Outstanding Local Organisation in South Africa in 2020, and we received several awards for various community activities that had a positive impact locally and beyond. JCI South Africa also named me the 2020 Most Outstanding Local President.

NA – What does it mean to you to be nominated for an award like this?

SZ – I am truly honoured to have been nominated and, ultimately, to be named one of the 100. While I have always done what I have done without ever expecting to be recognised, the recognition has pushed me to do more good and to take advantage of the opportunities that this recognition provides to advance our communities and our continent as a whole. It is humbling to know that your efforts have been recognised, and I am grateful to those who nominated me. My father taught me that leadership is a responsibility, not a position. This acknowledgement places a responsibility on my shoulders to support those who come after me so that the work we began has a greater impact.

NA – What is your motto in life?

SZ – “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.” – Malcolm X.

NA – What advice would you offer aspiring youngsters hoping to make something of their lives?

SZ – My advice to young people is to invest in themselves; they must have a plan for their lives (create a vision board); nothing happens by chance; and one must plan for the future they desire. They must read as much as possible, volunteer their time to help others (in this process, they may learn a new skill or contribute to their overall mental well-being), and finally, they must challenge themselves to learn something new every day.

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Email: Reveshni Douglas (Editor) at reveshni@caxton.co.za

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