Mohato B. Makalima

Mohato B. Makalima, 30, is the definition of a next-generation African leader. As Growth Manager and a key member of the Deloitte Africa NextGen Council, Makalima is shaping high-level strategy for one of the continent’s largest professional services firms. From his rural roots in Sterkspruit to the boardrooms of Deloitte, his journey reflects resilience, cultural pride and a steadfast commitment to leadership that empowers others. Mohato leads the execution of growth strategies across Deloitte’s Africa markets, offering insight-driven solutions to complex business challenges. Simultaneously, as former chairperson of the NextGen Council, he oversaw a team of 17 across multiple countries, advising the Deloitte Africa Executive Committee on strategic transformation, Gen AI adoption, and cross-border integration. Under his leadership, the council delivered key projects like the Africa Gen AI Hub, the Africa Skills Hub, and the Beyond GDP initiative — frameworks designed to future-proof business and development on the continent. Outside Deloitte, Makalima channels his passion for sport as a member of CEOs in Sport and leads a sports analytics project aimed at professionalising African sports administration. A Rhodes University graduate, he holds a BA in organisational psychology and legal theory, and a postgraduate diploma in enterprise management. He credits his growth to mentors like his late father and industry leaders across South Africa. For Makalima, the goal has always been more than personal success — it’s about representing his AmaHlubi heritage, influencing systems, and leaving a legacy of having made meaningful change.

• Bachelor of Arts in Organisational psychology and legal theory, Rhodes University (2016)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Management, Rhodes University (2018)

• Chairperson, Deloitte Africa NextGen Council: Led a team of 17 across Deloitte Africa markets in delivering strategic projects aligned with organisational objectives. Represented the Council on the firm’s AI LeadCo and served as a reverse mentor to Deloitte Africa CEO, Ruwayda Redfearn.
• Invited as a guest speaker at the Sanlam Allianz Reinsurance Conference in Mauritius to provide an intergenerational perspective on AI adoption.
• Gen AI Mandate: Conducted a firmwide State of Gen AI Research to provide insights shaping the Deloitte Africa Gen AI strategy. Research gathered input from service lines and business units to assess Gen AI adoption across the firm. Findings and recommendations informed ExCo’s decision to approve the firmwide rollout of a Gen AI tool in 2025 and the establishment of the Africa Gen AI Hub — designed to drive responsible AI adoption through access to learning journeys, firm policies, toolkits, and resources for over 7,000 Deloitte professionals.
• Africa Integration Mandate: Initiated a peer-to-peer learning network matching employees from different countries to foster cultural exchange and knowledge sharing. In its first year, 1,200 full-time staff from the Anglophone markets joined the community. Monthly activities received an average rating of 4.4/5, with 4.6/5 for meeting participant expectations. Also conceptualised the Africa Skills Hub, enabling employees to learn localised insights for operating across African markets — for example, equipping a South African data scientist with the knowledge needed to work effectively in Nigeria. The hub is currently in development, with rollout planned in 2025.
• Beyond GDP Framework: Developed an alternative framework to GDP for measuring progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recognising that GDP focuses solely on economic output, the new framework aims to reflect the broader dimensions of sustainable development. The model is under review and refinement through ongoing stakeholder engagement.

Mentorship — both professionally and personally — has played a vital role in accelerating growth. 

• Globally, a key inspiration is Khaldoon Al Mubarak, founding chairman of the City Football Group and a senior figure in the UAE government.
• Closer to home, my father remains the greatest inspiration and lifelong mentor.
• Professionally, individuals such as Tom Morrison (former Adumo Group COO), Chris Hardy (chief experience officer at Adumo Group), Josh Enslin (national athlete manager, Red Bull) and Mohammed Shaikh (partner at Deloitte) have each made a significant impact.