By Lerato Phelane
Mam’ Dr Futhi Mtoba, a trailblazer who continues to shine brightly in the realms of business, mentorship, social justice, and inclusion.
Her Journey
Mam’ Futhi’s remarkable journey is characterized by her extensive career in business and community engagement in South Africa. She has brought invaluable corporate governance experience as a chartered accountant. Her career includes being a 2017 Harvard Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow, which further solidified her commitment to impactful leadership.
In 1988, she joined Deloitte and Touche South Africa, specializing in financial services. Notably, she became one of the first African Black women to be appointed as a Partner at one of the Big Four accounting firms and later went on to become the first African woman Deputy Chairman and then Chairman of Deloitte Southern Africa.
Mam Futhi’s influence extends across several key boards. She is a board member and audit committee chair of Discovery Bank Limited, a board member of South 32 Limited, and a board member as well as Chair of the Audit Committee of the Public Investment Corporation Limited. She co-founded TEACH South Africa, a national program dedicated to improving educational quality and learner outcomes through effective classroom teaching.
Why she inspires us
Her contribution goes beyond national boundaries. She has been involved with international organizations such as the IMF Advisory Group of Sub-Saharan Africa, the World Economic Forum Global Advisory Council, and B20 task forces on Financing Growth and Infrastructure and Transparency. She has also served as the first woman President of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa and the first (and only) female President of Business Unity SA (BUSA). She is the past Chair of the Council of the University of Pretoria and has served on numerous boards, including the Public Accountants and Auditors Board, SAICA, NEPAD Business Foundation, and the African Union Foundation.
Mentorship and Influence
Mam’ Futhi’s mentorship transcends titles. Her insights and unwavering belief in the potential of others have empowered many to achieve greater personal and professional success. Her leadership in International Women’s Forum of South Africa (IWFSA)and Women Economic Assembly (WECONA) highlights her dedication to nurturing female leaders and driving economic opportunities for women in South Africa.
Quote from Her
“As women, we must stand firm in our resolve to break barriers and open doors for the next generation. Our collective power is immeasurable.”
Join us in celebrating Mam Futhi Mtoba’s incredible contributions and unwavering spirit. Let her journey remind us of the change we can inspire in our spheres of influence.
