Women’s Month is an opportunity to celebrate the many women who contribute to South Africa’s economy every day, not only for those in senior leadership, but also the professionals whose expertise, dedication and determination keep businesses moving. At Lesaka Payouts, Molly Maphalala, Key Account Manager, and Khomotso Mokone, Accountant: Treasurer, represent two very different aspects of the business.

Molly works directly with clients, building relationships and ensuring their needs are met, while Khomotso works behind the scenes to ensure the company’s financial transactions and cash management operate accurately and efficiently. Despite the differences in their roles, their career journeys share common themes: resilience, continuous learning, self-belief and a commitment to making a meaningful contribution.

Building relationships and delivering value

As a Key Account Manager, Molly’s days are varied. Her responsibilities include engaging with clients, responding to enquiries, preparing quotations, coordinating card fulfilment and activations, monitoring service delivery and working closely with operations and finance teams to ensure requests are processed efficiently.

Ultimately, however, her role is about people. “I have always been service- and people-orientated,” says Molly, explaining that this outlook has enabled her to move across different industries while remaining focused on what she enjoys most, which is serving customers and building meaningful relationships.

Seeing the tangible value that Lesaka Payouts brings to its clients is what keeps her motivated. “Knowing that our solutions make a positive impact, help solve real challenges and contribute to their success gives me a sense of purpose,” she says. That sense of purpose becomes even more powerful when the impact extends beyond the business itself.

One of the most rewarding aspects of her work is hearing from end users whose lives have been positively affected by Lesaka Payouts’ solutions, whether they have been able to save towards their child’s education, build an extension to their home or finally take a dream holiday. “These moments remind me that we are not just offering a product, we are helping people achieve their goals and improve their lives,” says Molly.

Finding confidence through growth

The impact of Khomotso’s work may be less visible, but it is equally important. As an Accountant: Treasurer, she helps ensure that Lesaka Payouts’ cash and financial transactions are managed accurately and efficiently. Her responsibilities include reconciling multiple bank accounts, allocating deposits, processing and reviewing payments, preparing cash flow information and supporting month-end activities.

Treasury may happen largely behind the scenes, but getting every detail right is critical. “Ensuring payments are processed accurately, accounts are reconciled, and financial information is reliable has a direct impact on the organisation,” says Khomotso. Knowing that her work supports the wider business and her colleagues gives her a strong sense of purpose.

Her career journey is also one of continuous development. Khomotso is currently completing her BCompt degree while working full-time, a demanding combination that has strengthened her discipline, resilience and perseverance.

“I have always enjoyed working with numbers and solving problems,” she explains. Accounting appealed to her because it combines analytical thinking with the opportunity to make a practical contribution to a business.

Learning has been central to building confidence for both women. One of Khomotso’s biggest early challenges was overcoming self-doubt. She sometimes underestimated her own contributions but gradually learned to trust her abilities by consistently delivering quality work, asking questions and embracing opportunities to learn. “I have realised that confidence is built through experience, not perfection,” says Khomotso.

Challenging assumptions and taking a seat at the table

Molly’s career presented a different challenge. The fintech industry remains largely male-dominated, and she has encountered situations where male colleagues unconsciously assumed that women should take a back seat or allow them to lead.

Over time, she recognised that she belonged in the industry just as much as anyone else. One of the most important lessons has been to assert her voice, share her expertise and recognise that strength and empathy are not mutually exclusive. “You can still be decisive, influential, and capable of leading with confidence,” says Molly.

Both women have witnessed encouraging changes in the workplace. Molly points to the growing representation of women in leadership, including women heading departments, leading business units and participating in strategic decision-making.

Khomotso has similarly seen more women taking on leadership roles and being recognised for their expertise, alongside organisations becoming more intentional about creating opportunities for women to grow.

This progress is particularly visible at Lesaka Payouts, where women are increasingly occupying strategic and influential roles. “It is a powerful reminder that leadership is no longer defined by gender but by capability and impact,” says Molly.

Creating workplaces where women can thrive

Both women believe organisations have an important role to play in ensuring that this progress continues. Genuine inclusion starts with making women feel that they belong rather than treating representation as a numbers exercise, says Molly. Women should be valued for their skills, expertise, perspectives and contributions, while being trusted with meaningful opportunities and included in strategic conversations.

Khomotso highlights the importance of mentorship, leadership development and equal opportunities for career progression. Creating an environment where women feel heard and supported enables them to share their ideas, build confidence and reach their potential.

There is also a responsibility for women to support one another. Khomotso hopes to see more women mentoring each other, while Molly believes that when one woman succeeds, she can open the door for many others to follow.

A message for the next generation

Their advice to young women considering careers in fintech and financial services is remarkably similar: believe in yourself, stay curious and never stop learning. “Never let anyone make you feel like you do not belong,” says Molly. “Your perspective matters, your voice matters and your contribution matters.”

Khomotso echoes the importance of being willing to ask questions and accepting that nobody starts out knowing everything. “Growth comes from experience, consistency, and being open to learning from others,” she says.

Both also emphasise authenticity when speaking to the next generation of South African women. Khomotso encourages young women to trust their journey and not allow fear or self-doubt to prevent them from pursuing opportunities. Molly similarly believes that authenticity is a strength and that a willingness to learn can open doors that may initially seem beyond reach.

Looking ahead

Women’s Month is a celebration of the resilience, courage and determination of the women who came before and those who continue to break barriers, says Molly. Khomotso sees it as both a celebration of progress and a reminder that everyone has a role to play in creating opportunities for future generations.

Both want to see that progress continue over the next decade, with more women represented in leadership and decision-making roles, greater access to education and career development, and workplaces where equal opportunity is a reality.

True inclusion ultimately means ensuring women have a genuine seat at the decision-making table and that their contributions help shape the future, Molly believes. Khomotso similarly hopes to see women continue supporting and mentoring one another as they break barriers together.

Their journeys demonstrate that progress does not always happen through dramatic breakthroughs. Sometimes it is built through the daily work of learning, persevering, asking questions, taking responsibility, supporting colleagues and having the confidence to step forward.

As Molly puts it, life is not always about winning. Setbacks and challenges can provide some of the greatest opportunities for growth, provided lessons are learnt. For both women, that willingness to learn and the courage to keep moving forward is helping shape not only their own careers, but the future of women in the workplace.