Growing up in Dzingidzingi village in Giyani, Limpopo, Andzani Nkuna, 30, was raised on the principles of ubuntu. These values now anchor his approach to business transformation and problem-solving. His passion for engineering took root in Grade 6, when an impromptu internet search on his father’s laptop revealed the world of chemical engineering. He never looked back. Andzani holds a BScEng in chemical engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand and a master’s in engineering management from Stellenbosch University. At Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking, he identifies processes for digitisation and automation using tools such as Microsoft PowerStack, BluePrism and AI technologies. A milestone in his career was developing the D&A Value Dashboard — a PowerBI analytics tool that provides executive-level insight into digital delivery metrics across the bank. Beyond the boardroom, Nkuna mentors emerging musical artists and supports his father’s indigenous tree project, raising environmental awareness and promoting conservation.
Throughout my career journey, I have led or supported many projects, but the D&A Value Dashboard stands out as a key milestone. This Power BI-based dashboard is used for analytics and reporting and was developed for the digital transformation executive upon joining the bank. The objective was to provide a consolidated view of the delivery pipeline, value delivered, and penetration across different areas within the bank, among other insights.
I look up to Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, particularly because he was able to turn his life around — from being in the streets to becoming a rapper, and now a businessman who is changing people’s lives through his ventures. Not many can withstand and sustain such a transition, especially given a rough and difficult background. He has inspired me to pursue entrepreneurship, particularly in the media and food and beverage sectors. Many people have contributed to my growth thus far. My father, against all odds, was the first in his family to obtain a tertiary qualification — achieving this as an adult with a family. His determination and courage have encouraged me to strive for knowledge and education. Champion Mtileni guided and motivated me throughout my school years, enabling me to obtain my degree. Samson Zitha greatly assisted me in assimilating and transitioning quickly into the banking space when I left the energy industry. He taught me how analysis works, as well as product ownership and management. These three individuals have each played a significant role in shaping who I am today.