Mandisa Theko-Khitsane has been at the forefront of transformation within the financial services sector, driving initiatives that blend innovation, culture, and inclusion. From leading a bold uniform upgrade in collaboration with luxury South African brand Fabrosanz, to redesigning branch interiors that reflect South African heritage, she has reimagined how financial services connect with communities.
With the acquisition of Assupol, Mandisa is also pioneering a dual-serving model designed to better serve underserved communities, reshaping what leadership looks like in South Africa.
Glamour: You’ve carved out a space as a bold decision-maker in an industry that doesn’t always celebrate change. What does being a woman in charge mean to you?
Mandisa: To me, being a woman in charge means leading with purpose and presence. It is about knowing your voice matters and using it to open doors for yourself and others. It's about staying true, unapologetically ambitious, and reminding others that leadership isn’t defined by gender, but by vision and authenticity.
Glamour: What are some of the defining moments in your career that gave you the confidence to lead unapologetically?
Mandisa: There have been several moments that shaped the way I lead unapologetically. Early in my career, stepping into digital transformation projects in industries that were still very traditional forced me to trust my instincts and back my ideas, even when I was the youngest person in the room.
Glamour: You recently led a collaboration with luxury fashion brand Fabrosanz to reimagine corporate uniforms, a bold move. What does it say about your leadership style?
Mandisa: It shows that I value creativity, authenticity, and elevating how people feel, especially in roles that touch communities. Bringing together fashion and finance is not just about aesthetics, it’s about enhancing confidence, respect, and making everyday moments feel special. My leadership is about weaving humanity into every touchpoint.
Glamour: Physical spaces matter. Why was it important to you that branch interiors reflect South African culture and heritage, and how do you see that changing people’s experience of financial services?
Mandisa: Spaces speak before words do. Infusing branches with South African heritage tells clients, “You belong here.” It shifts spaces from transactional to human, welcoming, and culturally resonant. When people feel seen, trust follows. It is how we make financial services feel closer to home.
Glamour: With the integration of dual-servicing models, there’s a stronger focus on reaching communities that have long been overlooked. Why is this mission of inclusion deeply personal to you?
Mandisa: This mission of inclusion is deeply personal to me because I know what it feels like to be overlooked. I grew up watching communities, like the ones we now serve, not having access to financial services that could change the trajectory of their lives. Too often, dignity and opportunity were reserved for a select few. For me, dual-servicing isn’t just a business strategy, it’s about rewriting that story. It’s about saying to a grandmother in a township branch or a young person opening their first policy: you belong here, and you matter just as much as anyone else.
Glamour: How do you define success beyond the numbers? How do you measure true impact?
Mandisa: Success isn’t just revenue or metrics, it’s meaningful change in lives and communities. I look for stories: someone who finally felt welcome, a branch that became a hub for learning, a barrier that was broken down. Those shifts, both visible and subtle, are the real KPIs of lasting impact.
Glamour: As a leader, what invisible “codes of success” guide you that other women can learn from?
Mandisa: Three invisible codes guide me: Fail forward - embrace mistakes as learning, not shame. (My school days taught me this deeply.) Stay curious - my academic journey into digital solutions, specifically AI, reminds me that growth is continuous. Lead with empathy - our skills development work impacting real lives showed me true impact is always human-centred.
Glamour: What keeps you grounded when the pressure is high and all eyes are on you?
Mandisa: What keeps me steady is remembering where I started. My school days at Sacred Heart taught me resilience, community, and learning from every moment. My academic journey, including pursuing a PhD, keeps me anchored in purpose beyond the day-to-day. Motherhood has also given me perspective. No matter how intense the boardroom feels, coming home to my children reminds me of what really matters. And finally, my grounding comes from faith and self-discipline. I’ve learned to pause, to breathe, and to lean into resilience rather than react. It’s in those quiet moments that I remind myself: pressure is a privilege, and if all eyes are on me, it’s because I’ve earned the space to lead.
Glamour: When you think about the legacy you’re building both professionally and personally, what do you hope people will remember about Mandisa Theko-Khitsane, the woman in charge?
Mandisa: When I think about legacy, I don’t measure it in titles or achievements; I measure it in impact. I want people to remember that I showed up fully, with courage and conviction, and that I used my position to create access and possibility for others. Professionally, I hope they see a woman who helped transform industries that often felt out of reach for ordinary South Africans, and who proved that you can lead with both strategy and heart. Personally, I want to be remembered as someone who loved deeply, who nurtured her family, and who showed that it’s possible to balance ambition with authenticity. If the young women who come after me believe they can dream bigger because they saw me do it, then I’ll know I’ve left something worth remembering.
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