Judy Dlamini

Judy Dlamini

Current title
Founder and Executive Chairman, Mbekani Group

Course at Wits Business School
Master of Business Administration, 1999

A defining moment in my career
My career started at KEH VIII Hospital in Durban as a medical intern. It’s been an exciting journey! The first milestone was opening my medical practice in eMlazi, the second biggest township in the country. Though the initial intention was to specialise, I was married with one child by the time I qualified. I had to assist my husband and my widowed mother. Practising medicine in the township was the best time of my life. The first low point came when I was mugged outside my practice.

I decided to change direction and leave the profession a few years after that incident. The MBA from WBS enabled me to enter the business sector, starting with investment banking. It’s been a journey of learning, meeting interesting people from different sectors of the economy, banking, fashion design and engineering, to name but a few. There hasn’t been a single decade that has passed without me studying something new. Having an interest in many business sectors has inspired me to learn more and stretch myself further.

Achieving my second childhood dream of obtaining a doctorate has to be one of the top three highlights in my career. Publishing a book titled Equal but Different and going on a roadshow inspiring young people across race and gender divides felt like I was fulfilling my purpose. Nothing beats that feeling.

I look forward to what the future brings.
I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been presented with and my small contribution to changing other people’s lives for the better.