There’s a Place for You in Tech with Yonela Makalima

There’s a Place for You in TechHow Do We Broaden Participation and Help More Women Actually Enter and Thrive in This World?We often hear that we need more women in tech. But getting women through the door is only part of the conversation.In this episode of The Enlightened Podcast, forming part of THE SHIFT: Future-Proof — AI, Careers & Staying Human in a Changing World, Luyanda Khumbuza sits down with Yonela Makalima, a Business Analyst working within digital banking and member of the Women in Tech South Africa community.Together, they explore what meaningful participation in technology actually requires — from early exposure, access and alternative pathways into the industry to belonging, mentorship, retention, progression and leadership.They also challenge the tendency to frame women’s participation as simply a confidence problem, unpack the responsibility organisations carry in creating environments where women can thrive, and consider what rapid advances in AI could mean for existing participation gaps.Because as technology continues to shape our future, women should not only be consumers of what gets built.They should have the opportunity to shape it, question it, build it and lead it.Thank you so much for tuning in on todays episode of The Enlightened Podcast.Lets stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luyandaduma/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_self_edit_contact-info%3B1ycDPKXuSE6sdg0sYqB9Tg%3D%3DYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AbrCJFIo2ld5F4xKJ005Q

The Skills You Can’t Put on a CV Might Be the Ones Holding You BackWhat if another qualification isn’t actually what your career needs next?Education, technical competence and continuous learning matter. But as our careers progress, the capabilities that got us through the door are not always the same ones that help us move forward.In this episode of The Enlightened Podcast, Luyanda Khumbuza sits down with Tshegofatso Bee Maringa — HR professional, Managing Director and award-winning Personal Development Coach — to explore professional growth beyond qualifications.From self-awareness, communication and emotional intelligence to feedback, conflict, relationships, boundaries and leadership, they unpack the human capabilities that can quietly determine how effectively we work and progress.They also ask a provocative question: Can continuous learning sometimes become a comfortable form of preparation that keeps us from doing the harder work of applying and developing what we already have?This conversation isn't anti-education. It's an invitation to get more honest about what your actual development gap might be.Because sometimes the next level doesn't require another certificate.It requires a different version of you.Thank you so much for tuning in on todays episode of The Enlightened Podcast.Lets stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luyandaduma/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_self_edit_contact-info%3B1ycDPKXuSE6sdg0sYqB9Tg%3D%3DYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AbrCJFIo2ld5F4xKJ005Q

What did you say this year was going to be about?The goals. The plans. The career moves. The habits. The things you promised yourself would finally change.And how much of it has actually happened?As we move deeper into the second half of the year, it can be tempting to look at everything that hasn’t gone according to plan and quietly decide that maybe this just wasn’t your year.But the year isn’t over yet.In this solo episode of The Enlightened Podcast, Luyanda Khumbuza invites you to pause and do something we often leave until December: review the year while there is still time to do something with what you discover.Through a simple Review. Reflect. Reset. approach, we look at what has worked, what hasn’t, what the year has taught you about yourself, what you may need to let go of, and which priorities still genuinely deserve your energy.This isn't about cramming twelve months of ambition into the time that remains.It's about getting honest about where you are — and intentional about where you go from here.Because you don't need another January to begin again.The year isn't over, and neither is your opportunity to change how it ends.Thank you so much for tuning in on todays episode of The Enlightened Podcast.Lets stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luyandaduma/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_self_edit_contact-info%3B1ycDPKXuSE6sdg0sYqB9Tg%3D%3DYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AbrCJFIo2ld5F4xKJ005Q

Adapt or Get Left Behind?The New Reality of Careers in a World That Won’t Stop ChangingChange is no longer something happening on the horizon. It is already reshaping how we work, the skills organisations value, and what it means to remain relevant in our careers.But adapting to change is not always as simple as “keeping up.”In this episode of The Enlightened Podcast, Luyanda Khumbuza sits down with Change Management Specialist Sibahle Dlamini to unpack what it really takes to navigate a world of work that refuses to stand still.They explore why we resist change, the growing pressure to continuously adapt, skills relevance, learning agility, change fatigue, and how professionals can recognise when it is time to evolve — or perhaps even move on.The conversation also challenges the idea that the responsibility to adapt sits entirely with employees. What role should organisations and leaders play in helping people successfully navigate transformation?Because in a changing world, adaptability matters. But how change is led matters too.Thank you so much for tuning in on todays episode of The Enlightened Podcast.Lets stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luyandaduma/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_self_edit_contact-info%3B1ycDPKXuSE6sdg0sYqB9Tg%3D%3DYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AbrCJFIo2ld5F4xKJ005Q

Stop Comparing Your Chapter Two to Someone Else’s Chapter TwentyHave you ever looked at someone else's life and quietly wondered:“Am I behind?”Someone is getting promoted.Someone is building the business.Someone is getting married.Someone is buying the house.Someone seems to be living the life you thought you would have by now.And suddenly, their progress becomes evidence that yours isn't happening fast enough.In this solo episode of The Enlightened Podcast, Luyanda Khumbuza explores one of the hardest things to remember when comparison takes over:- Your life has seasons.- There are seasons to build, seasons to stretch, seasons to wait, seasons to rest, seasons to pivot — and seasons where very little appears to be happening externally while something important is being built internally.- This conversation is about learning to recognise the season you're in, letting go of arbitrary timelines, and understanding that success does not unfold according to one universal schedule.- Because somebody else's visible success doesn't mean you're late.You may simply be comparing your chapter two to their chapter twenty.Don't rush your season. Every meaningful career — and life — is built one chapter at a timeThank you so much for tuning in on todays episode of The Enlightened Podcast.Lets stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luyandaduma/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_self_edit_contact-info%3B1ycDPKXuSE6sdg0sYqB9Tg%3D%3DYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AbrCJFIo2ld5F4xKJ005Q

Getting the qualification is one thing. Building a career that continues to grow is another.In this episode of The Enlightened Podcast, Luyanda Khumbuza is joined by Comfort Tshisikule, Youth and Learning & Development Lead at Nestlé East and Southern Africa, and Caroline Irambu - Setshedi, a commercial finance professional with more than 15 years of experience in the retail industry, for a practical conversation about what it really takes to build career capital.Together, they unpack the skills, relationships, experiences and professional credibility that can shape long-term career growth — particularly for young people trying to find their footing in an increasingly competitive world of work.The conversation explores the difference between being qualified and being employable, building experience when you’re just starting out, developing workplace credibility, finding mentors and sponsors, demonstrating leadership before you have the title, and continuously developing the skills that keep you relevant.Because getting your first opportunity matters.But what you intentionally build after you get through the door can shape the trajectory of your entire career.Thank you so much for tuning in on todays episode of The Enlightened Podcast.Lets stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luyandaduma/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_self_edit_contact-info%3B1ycDPKXuSE6sdg0sYqB9Tg%3D%3DYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AbrCJFIo2ld5F4xKJ005Q

Why do so many talented, capable and hardworking people still struggle to make money?The truth is, talent alone isn't enough.In today's world, creating opportunities, increasing your income and building a successful business or career requires more than simply working hard. It requires confidence, visibility, strategy and the ability to clearly communicate your value.In this episode of The Enlightened Podcast, Luyanda Khumbuza sits down with entrepreneur and business strategist Hetty for an honest conversation about what it really takes to stop playing small and start thinking differently about money.Together, they unpack why people undercharge, why selling often feels uncomfortable, the role of visibility in creating opportunities, and how to move from simply having potential to building something profitable and sustainable.In this episode, we discuss:- Why talented people still struggle to make money- The difference between working hard and working strategically- Developing confidence in selling yourself and your work- Overcoming the fear of charging your worth- Building visibility that creates opportunities- Common mistakes people make when trying to monetise their skills- Practical steps to start creating income from what you already knowBecause making money isn't only about working harder.It's about believing in your value enough to position it well.Thank you so much for tuning in on todays episode of The Enlightened Podcast.Lets stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luyandaduma/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_self_edit_contact-info%3B1ycDPKXuSE6sdg0sYqB9Tg%3D%3DYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AbrCJFIo2ld5F4xKJ005Q

Success has traditionally been measured by titles, promotions, influence, and financial achievement.But what if true leadership begins when your impact extends beyond your own success?In this episode of The Enlightened Podcast, Luyanda Khumbuza sits down with innovation strategist, leadership advisor, and entrepreneur Savannah Cozzi to explore how purpose-driven women are redefining what power, leadership, and success look like in today's world.Together, they unpack why innovation starts with curiosity, why adaptability has become a career superpower, and how purpose has become one of the defining characteristics of impactful leadership.In this conversation, we explore:- The difference between success and significance- Leading with purpose in a changing world- Innovation as a mindset, not just technology- Why adaptability is essential for future leaders- Building meaningful careers that create impact- The unique role women play in shaping the future of workBecause the future doesn't just need successful leaders. It needs leaders whose success creates significance for others.Thank you so much for tuning in on todays episode of The Enlightened Podcast.Lets stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luyandaduma/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_self_edit_contact-info%3B1ycDPKXuSE6sdg0sYqB9Tg%3D%3DYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AbrCJFIo2ld5F4xKJ005Q

We spend so much time thinking about where we want to be.The career.The promotion.The business.The financial freedom.The life we've imagined for ourselves.But how often do we stop and ask:What does my future self need from me today?In this solo episode of The Enlightened Podcast, Luyanda Khumbuza explores the powerful connection between today's decisions and tomorrow's outcomes.Success is rarely built through one defining moment. More often, it's the result of small, consistent choices made over time—choices to learn, to save, to take risks, to stay disciplined, and to keep showing up even when progress feels slow.In this episode, we explore:- Why your future is built by today's habits- The power of delayed gratification- Making decisions with long-term impact in mind- Consistency over intensity- Becoming the person before achieving the outcome- Practical ways to start investing in your future todayBecause your future isn't waiting for someday. It's being shaped by the choices you make today.Thank you so much for tuning in on todays episode of The Enlightened Podcast.Lets stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luyandaduma/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_self_edit_contact-info%3B1ycDPKXuSE6sdg0sYqB9Tg%3D%3DYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AbrCJFIo2ld5F4xKJ005Q

Every workplace comes with challenges.But how do you know the difference between a workplace that's simply demanding... and one that's damaging your wellbeing?In this episode of The Enlightened Podcast, Luyanda Khumbuza is joined by HR and People Leader Verona Reddy for an honest conversation about the silent struggles many employees experience but rarely speak about.Together, they unpack what it means to navigate difficult work environments, recognise the signs of burnout, establish healthy boundaries, and advocate for yourself while remaining professional.Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, questioning your work environment, or trying to determine your next career move, this conversation offers practical insights to help you navigate the realities of today's workplace.In this episode, we explore:- The difference between a tough workplace and a toxic one- Recognising the early signs of burnout- Psychological safety and why it matters- Setting healthy boundaries at work-  Navigating difficult leaders and workplace dynamics- Knowing when to adapt, when to speak up, and when it may be time to leaveBecause not every difficult workplace is toxic…But every employee deserves to work in an environment where they can grow, contribute, and thrive.Thank you so much for tuning in on todays episode of The Enlightened Podcast.Lets stay connected:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luyandaduma/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_self_edit_contact-info%3B1ycDPKXuSE6sdg0sYqB9Tg%3D%3DYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AbrCJFIo2ld5F4xKJ005Q