Some stories remind us that leadership is not defined by where we start, but by how we choose to rise. Mokgadi’s journey from cleaner to Divisional Transformation Executive at Bidvest Prestige is one such story , a powerful testament to resilience, hard work, and the transformative power of opportunity.
From her very first role, Mokgadi understood that every job, no matter how humble, has purpose. That belief kept her grounded, motivated, and open to growth. Surrounded by people who believed in her, she embraced every chance to learn and pushed herself to dream beyond her circumstances.
Education became the cornerstone of her transformation. While working as a cleaner, she invested in herself and enrolled with UNISA, completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management. Her determination didn’t stop there, with the support of a Bidvest Prestige bursary, she is now pursuing her Honours degree in the same field. For Mokgadi, this is proof that when hard work meets opportunity, lives change.
Women’s Month holds deep personal meaning for her. It’s a time to honour how far women have come, to recognise the strength and resilience they carry, and to create space for the next generation to dream even bigger. “My own journey is proof that when women are given a chance, supported, and believe in themselves, they can break barriers and rewrite narratives,” she says.
At Bidvest Prestige, Mokgadi champions initiatives that open doors for women at every stage from mentorship and bursaries to leadership development and internal promotions. She has lived the impact of these programmes herself and knows the importance of building a culture where women’s voices are heard, their contributions recognised, and their leadership encouraged.
Her message to women in entry-level roles is both simple and profound: “Don’t let where you start define where you’ll end up. Use every opportunity to grow, invest in your education, seek mentors, and speak up. The road may be tough, but every challenge shapes you into the leader you are meant to become. If I could rise from cleaner to executive, so can you.”
This Women’s Month, Mokgadi stands as a reminder that leadership is not reserved for a select few, it is open to anyone with the courage to dream, the will to work, and the heart to lead with purpose.