AWCA champions emotional intelligence in female leadership

August in South Africa is not just a month of remembrance, or a Women’s Day commemoration, it’s also a powerful call to action.

In tribute to the 1956 women’s march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, and the enduring fight for gender equity, the African Women Chartered Accountants (AWCA) hosted its annual Women of Substance Conference and Banquet on August 6, celebrating not only achievement, but also the inner work of leadership.

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Held at the Standard Bank Global Leadership Centre, with the banquet held at The Forum in Hyde Park, the 2025 event, sponsored by Standard Bank, reflected the theme: Pioneering Excellence: Passion, Power and Mastery in Motion, with a special emphasis on the mastery of self.

In a series of deeply personal keynote addresses and panel discussions, speakers challenged the notion that leadership is simply about performance and delivery. Instead, they advocated for a model that places self-awareness, psychological safety, and emotional discipline at the centre.

“We’re trained in technical skills, but not in how to deal with people, pain, or pressure,” said Nonkululeko Gobodo, CEO of Awakened Global and South Africa’s first black female chartered accountant. “You can have a powerful vision, but if you’re moving too fast, you lose the people you’re meant to lead. True leadership means slowing down, listening, and doing the emotional work.”

Royal Bofokeng Holdings CFO Tinyiko Sihlangu echoed this theme, with a striking analogy about emotional awareness in leadership. “You become the thermostat in the room. You don’t just measure the temperature, you set it. Your energy, your presence, your tone influence everything. People are looking to you to decide how safe they feel to contribute, to innovate, and to speak up.”

AWCA president Pumla Molope opened the banquet event by tying the modern-day challenges of female leadership to the legacy of the women of 1956. “We are not just here to remember history, we are here to make it. Our Woman of Substance initiative recognises women who’ve led with excellence and opened doors for others. That is how we honour the spirit of 1956, by lifting others as we rise.”

The evening kicked off with the Recognition Awards, honouring individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their respective fields, whilst driving positive change in their organisations.

Sharmla Chetty was recognised as the 2025 AWCA Woman of Substance for her significant role in redefining leadership, and actively championing the empowerment of women in general, as well as in different sectors of business.

During her acceptance speech, Chetty said: “To be recognised by an organisation that does so much work in uplifting communities and women is a huge achievement. This award is a tribute to the many women that walked before me, especially our grandmothers, mothers, mentees, and mentors, whose quiet strength and leadership I stand on today. It reaffirms my commitment to use education as a force for good.”

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