The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton female students find their voices at Ladies to Legends 2025
With bold stories, real insights, and authentic student voices, Ladies to Legends 2025 reminded female students that leadership begins with believing in yourself and embracing growth.
What does leadership really look like for young women today? At The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton campus, that question took centre stage during Ladies to Legends 2025, an annual women’s month event dedicated to empowering female students.
With this year’s theme: Ladies in Leadership, the event created a platform where students could see themselves reflected in real leaders, hear authentic stories, and most importantly, recognise that their own leadership journeys have already begun.
Read more: The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton students suit up for success
The evening featured a vibrant panel discussion, with three women from different walks of life each offering guidance on building confidence, fostering meaningful connections, and stepping boldly into new spaces. More than just a talk, the event became a launchpad for many students’ personal transformation.
Guiding the conversation was MC Tumi Ndlovu, assistant branch manager at Network Recruitment, who set the tone for a fearless and affirming discussion. “You don’t have to wait to be given a voice. Own the room, even before you have the title.”
Also read: The IIE’s Varsity College Sandton students walk for their mental health
Adding a relatable student voice to the panel was Kayla Jameson, a third-year IIE Bachelor of Commerce student and chairperson of the social committee. As an active leader on campus, Jameson shared her personal experiences of navigating student leadership and pushing past comfort zones. “Growth comes from discomfort. Surround yourself with people who inspire and uplift you. It makes all the difference.”
She added that events like these are essential for student development. “As a student leader, Ladies to Legends reminded me that leadership is not a one-size-fits-all journey. It’s about showing up, being authentic, and learning from others. Every woman in that room walked away feeling seen and heard.”
Also on the panel was Tsholofelo Bogatsu, head of finance at the Sandton campus, who offered powerful lessons on resilience and leading with empathy. “Trust in your abilities. Real leadership isn’t just about strength; it’s about compassion, integrity, and bringing others along with you.”
The impact of the evening was deeply felt among the students, many of whom left rethinking their own potential.
Aaliyah Palmer, a fourth-year IIE Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase Teaching student, said: “The event reminded us that leadership doesn’t start once you are in a leadership role. It starts with believing in yourself, being bold and building each other up. I left Ladies to Legends 2025 empowered and motivated.”
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