Speaking truth with conviction and integrity

Bonang Mohale

Bonang Mohale is the Chancellor of the University of the Free State, former President of Business Unity South Africa, Professor of Practice in the Johannesburg Business School and Chairman of three listed entities, the Bidvest Group Limited, ArcelorMittal and SBV Services. He is a member of the Community of Chairpersons of the World Economic Forum and author of the two bestselling books, ‘Lift As You Rise’ and ‘Behold The Turtle’. He has been included in the Reputation Poll International’s 2023 list of the ‘100 Most Reputable Africans’. He is a change agent, defender of democracy, social justice activist and has been a vocal, courageous and active proponent of transformation since the 1980s, and played a leadership role in the Black Management Forum for over 33 years, where he was the President.

Prof Mohale often fondly reminisces about how his grandmother, who was one of the seven wives his grandfather had, was his role model on recognising the diverse skills and abilities inherent in all of her grandchildren. She painted, farmed mielies, sold vegetables and did many other things just to put food on the table for the numerous children in her care. This realisation and awareness provided a context for him when he lost his father in 1979 when he was 17 years old and had to step in as a father figure for his siblings and support for his mother. He remembers selling oranges and apples in the trains, which culminated in him being a freelance photographer to earn extra income.

Prof Mohale has intentionally used his rank and influence to pursue transformation, which he believes is about fundamentally breaking with the past to create something new that bears absolutely no resemblance to the past. In every position where he has served in executive leadership, he has empowered Black owned companies as well as Black women in business. His own family-owned business that was formed in 1992, has invested in eight companies and wholly owns three where the CEOs are women.

His views on DEI

Bonang believes that if wealth was the inevitable result of both hard work and enterprise, then every woman in Africa would be a dollar millionaire! Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) needs to be defined in a way that has meaning and purpose within the South African context and that reflects the particular historical origins of inequality in this country. DEI must be a planned and positive process and strategy aimed at transforming socioeconomic environments. It requires the total eradication of all obstacles, subtle or overt, formal or informal, which hinder the empowerment of disadvantaged individuals.

He often postulates that South Africa’s problem is not so much about lack of adequate resources as it is about a simple lack of ability to manage - plan, lead, coordinate and organise. “Great wars are won by good execution and not just by great planning.” He points out that South Africa has some of the world’s greatest plans; what is missing is the ability to pick just one, knuckle down, do the hard work, follow up and course correct. Mohale says his purpose in life is being a change agent – “I always have been and always will be. Our job as leaders is to help create better humans by creating holding spaces that will make it easier for the majority of people to just participate in the economy. There is no nobility in being poor.”

Prof Mohale’s mentees remark of a fond relationship with him. They attest to the vast wisdom and knowledge that he imparts which is relevant to South Africa’s dynamic economic landscape, and sector contexts. All of this while displaying humility that reminds mentees to remain grounded in their values and communities.

My take away lessons from Bonang’s leadership

It is absolutely fine to call your role model a friend. I can confidently claim this because whenever I am with Prof Mohale in different settings, I feel like he adds a percentage of wisdom to my current knowledge of what is happening around our country and what we can do to make this a better place. What many tend to take for granted, he does the complete opposite. For example, walking with him at the airport he would stop to greet the airport security guard, the woman who cleans the floor at the airport lounge, the person at the parking meter station. By greeting, I do not just mean the usual “ Hello, how are you?” but a genuine interest in another human being regardless of their level or type of work.

Over and above his remarkable insights on the topic of leadership, what makes him stand out as a leader is how incredibly personable, humble and yet impactful he is - even away from the public gaze. An inspirational leader with an overt desire to see others succeed. He believes that we are no more human than when we connect AND help others. Because when we help others, we are completing God’s work. It is who we become in the process of succeeding.