Tumi Mthembu's inspiring journey: Empowering women in South Africa

Tumi Mthembu, a 39-year-old entrepreneur and CEO, has made a significant impact on women's empowerment in South Africa through her work with WomenCan and Envision Brand. Growing up in Limpopo, surrounded by strong women, Mthembu learned valuable lessons in responsibility, resilience, and the importance of making space for others. These values would later shape her career and WomenCan.

Mthembu, who initially wanted to become an accountant, found herself drawn to marketing and communications after arriving at university. She went on to work with various multinational brands, holding degrees in Corporate Communications and certificates in Brand and Marketing Management, along with Digital Marketing. Despite facing challenges as a young Black female in the industry, Mthembu persevered and established Envision Brand, a communications agency.

In 2020, Mthembu founded Expressions, a platform aimed at supporting emerging artists through marketing, exposure, and events. Her work with female clients and women's empowerment events led her to focus on women empowerment initiatives, eventually giving birth to WomenCan. The idea for WomenCan emerged on Mthembu's 37th birthday when she invited women with an "I Can" mentality to join her for brunch.

The event was a success, and WomenCan was born, providing a space for women to connect, share their knowledge, and celebrate their achievements.

Mthembu's journey highlights the challenges women face in securing access to clients, networks, and decision-making rooms. To overcome this, she built relationships and collaborated with others to gain opportunities outside her established networks. Her definition of empowerment is witnessing the transformation of women who receive support, visibility, or access, stepping into rooms they once felt unqualified for, and owning their voices.

For Mthembu, the legacy she hopes to leave is not about recognition but the impact her work has had on others. She envisions a future where WomenCan is not a statement but a fact, with the future built by those who care the most.