Written and published by Joyce C. Nwezeh
My writings champion social justice and aim to empower those seeking to uplift our communities
Many women leaders are fast changing the narrative in the corporate world and other professional and government settings and Dr Thelela Ngcetane-Vika is one of these leaders who makes us proud.
This vivacious South African scholar and Wits School of Governance Academic has degrees from some of the world’s finest universities, including the University of Liverpool(UK) Law School and the Executive Women Leadership Programme from Said Business School, Oxford University, United Kingdom. But her journey is about more than knowledge – she’s a champion for ethical business practices and women’s leadership in Africa. Dr Ngcetane-Vika’s research provides tools for positive change, and she’s committed to building a more integrated and prosperous continent.
She also inspires the next generation of leaders, whether she is captivating audiences in the many public talks she does (more recently the Transformational Women Summit)_or her classrooms which are deeply engaging with critical debate
And in this session, we delve deep into her personal and professional experience, while also gleaning from her wealth of knowledge.
Assert: Dr Ngcetane-Vika, it’s an honour to speak with you. May we meet you?
Dr. Thelela: I am Thelela Ngcetane-Vika(uMaGebane), a daughter of the Ngcetanes, academic, author, social biographer, public speaker, legal theoretician, methodologist, governance expert, University of Oxford Said Business School Associate Instructor of the Women’s Leadership Development Programme and social justice advocate based in South Africa. I am truly a proud African woman.
Assert: Your titles – author, academic, scholar, Oxford instructor – are remarkable. What fuels your dedication to excellence?
Dr. Thelela: I’m deeply grateful. My drive comes from my faith, my parents’ values, and the inspiring people around me – my family, my community, and the great women who came before me. Their example, and the challenges we still face, make me determined to use my knowledge to create a better future. Women’s leadership is vital for that progress.
Assert: Your writing has tremendous power, as evidenced by your numerous publications and book titles. What fuels this literary gift as others refer to you as a wordsmith?
Dr. Thelela: I see writing as my calling. It brings me immense joy, and thankfully, I come from a family that values education and literature. Having my bookshelf as a child ignited a love for the written word early on. I breathe and live books. My children and close friends know I am truly happy when I am writing a book. It is such an exhilarating experience. I could only attribute my gift to God, who has bestowed it to me as an act of His Grace.
Additionally, I understand the crucial role African writers play in documenting and preserving our history.
My writings champion social justice and aim to empower those seeking to uplift our communities.
Assert: You’re recognised as one of the great women leaders in Africa today. How does that make you feel, knowing where you started?
Dr Thelela: I’m always humbled by such recognition. Honestly, I still see myself as a work in progress with much left to accomplish. But, if my journey from a rural upbringing can inspire other young girls to believe their dreams are achievable, then that is the greatest reward.
Assert: Your work centres on fostering development across Africa, with a keen focus on corporate governance and regional trade integration. Can you elaborate on how those areas connect to strong leadership on the continent?
Dr Thelela: My PhD research proved that sound leadership is key to solving societal problems, particularly in corporate governance and indeed, governance in general. That’s why I developed the “Triad of Corporate Governance Effectiveness” theory, emphasising transparency and accountability to drive positive change. I’m currently focused on how Africa can leverage the AfCFTA to achieve global impact, similar to the success of the European Union Single Market. We can show our continent’s huge potential by nurturing Africa’s young, innovative leaders. The time is NOW!
Assert: You’ve analysed Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter-Terrorist Financing (CTF) regimes in the UK and USA. What is your assessment of African nations in this regard?
Dr Thelela: Money laundering and terrorist financing are severe global threats, and some African countries are actively combating them. Ghana, for instance, has strong legislation based on FATF standards. Sadly, South Africa still reports high levels of money laundering, allegedly involving foreign nationals. We urgently need more coordinated efforts across the continent to effectively confront these crimes and protect our economies.
Assert: In your co-authored article, you portray African women in an uncommon, powerful light. Can you offer our readers a glimpse of what the ideal African woman leader represents to you?
Dr Thelela: African women have always held leadership positions, even before colonisation. Their courage and refusal to be bound by the constraints of patriarchy are deeply inspiring. Women played vital roles in building strong family foundations – the bedrock of a vibrant Africa.
Assert: Your Methodist faith seems to be a guiding light in your life. How does it influence your work and leadership?
Dr Thelela: My faith forms the core of who I am, and those doctrines continue to sustain me. My parents were staunch Methodists who raised my siblings and me with its doctrines. Methodism advocates responding to societal injustices, which has significantly shaped my work in social justice and empowerment. I was honoured in 2020 as an African Legend of Methodism for my commitment to service.
Assert: Your chapter in the Black Britain book titled, “Nelson Mandela: Pulling the Branch of a Tree!” explores his legal legacy in Britain. What key insights did you uncover?
Dr Thelela: My research revealed how deeply English law shaped Mandela’s anti-apartheid strategies, both as a lawyer and as a statesman. He was a complex figure, drawing on both African traditions and his legal training to fight for justice. I hope my work illuminates this often-overlooked aspect of Mandela’s influence, showing a powerful connection between the Global South and the Global North in combating oppression. Thus, Mandela, the lawyer became Mandela, the outlaw!
Assert: What message do you have for our readers, the future generation of women leaders?
Dr Thelela: If we work hard with clarity of thought and purpose, we have it in all of us to achieve our dreams.
We know that our better days are ahead of us, and future women leaders must carve their paths and be willing to create new pathways, as Fannon conjectured so that every generation can fulfil its mission.
Future generations of women leaders must not allow themselves to be footnotes of other people’s stories but rather be the centre of theirs. We all must uplift others as we climb, for everyone benefits when one person succeeds.
Authenticity is vital for future leaders – our truest gift to others is our genuine selves. And of course, the value of Self-leadership that starts within each of us. In a nutshell, before leading others, we must lead ourselves first. Lastly, African women are an institution in Africa – we must tap into this!
Assert: Thank you, Dr. Ngcetane-Vika, for this inspiring conversation!
