Raised in Imbali, a township in Pietermaritzburg, Sibongile Zungu, 33, was the first in her family to attend university — and today, she is one of the youngest finance leaders in South Africa’s banking sector. A qualified chartered accountant and head of finance for business and commercial banking (BCB) at Standard Bank Group, Zungu oversees consolidated financial reporting for a division that generates over R10 billion in headline earnings annually across local and offshore markets. Sibongile’s leadership drives financial governance, strategic forecasting and executive-level decision-making across a complex portfolio, but her impact goes beyond boardrooms. A finalist in the TransUnion Rising Star Awards and Standard Bank’s Individual Excellence Awards, she has also launched diversity initiatives and championed automation in financial reporting. Her mentorship work spans tutoring township learners in mathematics, guiding aspiring CAs through the Thuthuka programme, and coaching over 30 graduates on career readiness. Selected for Yolanda Cuba’s elite mentorship circle, Sibongile says, “I’m building something far greater than myself.”
First and foremost, I look up to my parents, who both come from rural areas — Richmond and Bulwer, respectively. I was the first in both families to pass matric with a bachelor’s pass (university entrance), the first to attend university, and I remain the only member to hold postgraduate degrees and a professional designation. Despite limited resources, my parents provided unwavering support and instilled in me the values of hard work and perseverance. Through their sacrifices, they raised a young woman who continues to break barriers and uplift others. Professionally, I admire authentic leaders who remain grounded and committed to creating impact. One such leader is Thembeka Maseko, chief financial officer of Standard Bank Group’s Personal and Professional Banking division. Her journey, marked by adversity, is a true inspiration. Despite her rise to executive leadership, she continues to give back meaningfully — something I aspire to emulate in my own path. I have also been fortunate to have several mentors throughout my career. I am currently part of a mentorship programme led by Yolanda Cuba, vice-president at MTN Group. This elite programme selects candidates through a rigorous process, and under her guidance, I am learning the importance of building a personal brand — udume ngani (“what are you known for”) — from a leader who became a Deputy chief executive before the age of 30. Earlier in my career, I was mentored by Vishwanath Nirgin, Africa controls director at Unilever. She saw potential in me early on and provided opportunities for international exposure, which helped me develop the skills and confidence to thrive in the finance team. Her belief in me was transformative, and I remain deeply grateful.