A sharp winter morning gave way to insight, clarity, and connection as a dynamic cohort of women gathered at Workshop17 in Sandton for Becoming the Opportunity, a workshop series hosted by Mentorly Africa. The 28 June event offered far more than professional development; it delivered a focused recalibration of how women navigate power, presence, and purpose in modern leadership.
The full-day gathering, attended by business leaders, creatives, and rising professionals, centered on two high-impact sessions led by respected voices in the women’s leadership space: executive coach Bonolo “@africanbossmama” Moima and personal branding strategist Zandile “@zeemposelwa” Mposelwa. Programme direction was led by Phumeza Langa, seasoned facilitator and founder of #SistaHoodHour.
In Session 2, titled “Energy Over Everything”, Bonolo Moima disarmed the room with clinical clarity and a refreshing call to embodied leadership. Rather than dwell on job titles or achievements, she challenged participants to reframe leadership through energy alignment and emotional intelligence.
Bonolo introduced a compelling character assessment method using colour-coded personality traits to help participants identify dominant leadership energies, ranging from strategic intuition to grounded empathy. The tool, designed to offer both personal insight and team navigation strategies, quickly became a workshop favourite.
The session resonated with women navigating leadership in complex sectors, from healthcare to creative entrepreneurship, many of whom cited burnout, visibility, and decision fatigue as recurring challenges.
Building the Brand Before the Ask
Session 1, led by personal branding expert Zandile Mposelwa, was an equally incisive start to the day. Her talk, “Build the Brand, Then the Ask”, unpacked the strategic value of visibility and how clarity and credibility are vital tools for career advancement, particularly for women who are often advised to “wait their turn.”
Zandile tackled hesitation and invisibility with blunt precision.
Attendees were guided through practical frameworks for defining personal value propositions, aligning digital footprints with long-term goals, and positioning themselves to attract-not chase – opportunities.
An Intentional Space, Led With Heart
With over a decade of experience across the education, tech, and climate sectors, Programme Director Phumeza Langaheld the space with thoughtful facilitation. From the welcome to the wrap-up, Langa’s moderation style allowed for both reflection and dialogue, hallmarks of her #SistaHoodHour platform.
Phumeza’s presence ensured the event did not devolve into a typical panel format. Instead, it moved with coherence, grace, and a grounded sense of collective ambition.
Attendees were treated to a warm breakfast, informal networking moments, and access to one-on-one conversations with speakers and mentors. A sense of ease and connection permeated the venue, a testament to Mentorly Africa’s commitment to curating intentional, well-held leadership spaces.
Clarity Is the New Currency
More than a women’s event, Becoming the Opportunity made a persuasive case for redefining leadership in a post-pandemic, fast-evolving professional landscape. With calm energy and deliberate messaging, the workshop rejected the old tropes of leaning in or doing it all.
Instead, it championed alignment, energy regulation, and personal presence as the new frontier of influence.
Tickets sold for R350, a modest entry point for the weight of the content delivered. Based on participant engagement and the calibre of discourse, Mentorly Africa is expected to announce future workshop dates in Johannesburg and beyond.
For updates, follow @MentorlyAfrica on Instagram.
To learn more about the speakers:
– @africanbossmama
– @zeemposelwa
– @phumeza_shh
Leonine Online covered this event as part of its ongoing spotlight on women’s leadership, innovation, and community empowerment across Gauteng.
