Post by Diale Karabo

I recently had the opportunity to participate at EY , and the experience was nothing short of inspiring. I had the opportunity to work with incredible teammates, face challenges, and collaborate on audit and other activities. The past three days taught me the importance of communication and that your ideas may not always be the best. There will be challenges as a group, but it is through teamwork that you find solutions and complete the work. Tshegofatso Ramochete, Tassy Mabuza, Anele Mathenjwa, Rethabile Mphatsoe, Amogelang Jethro Ntlhane, Azwidali Netshiavha Nqobile Mazibuko I also learned that it's important not to stay in your comfort zone. You’ll quickly realise there is still so much you don’t know and need to improve on. Emotional intelligence is key, consider the people you work with, communicate effectively, and be patient when others don’t understand your ideas. Instead of giving up, take them through your thinking step by step, you may find that your idea was actually a good one. Articulation and clarity are essential. Over the past few days, I had the privilege of hearing from leaders who left a strong impact on me. Ajen Sita , the CEO of EY Africa , shared that your network is your currency. Value matters, and learning should be a continuous journey, something that becomes a part of who you are. He also encouraged us to back ourselves. I also met Onkgopotse Kotsokoane chief of staff, who spoke about the power of confidence. He emphasised that it’s not enough to be competent, you must also be confident in order to make an impact. He encouraged us to shape our future with confidence and to find our purpose by identifying what energises us and what drains us, in order to create balance. Nikki Benfield spoke about personal branding and business etiquette. She highlighted that your personal brand is what people think and say about you when you're not in the room. Nobody is building your shop window for you, it’s your responsibility to shape how you're perceived. This experience has been eye-opening and truly empowering. I am walking away with more self-awareness, clarity, and motivation to grow further both personally and professionally. Thank you to EY and everyone who made this experience so meaningful. I look forward to continuing this journey and staying connected with those I’ve met along the way. Rebaone Ramothibe, Shruti Dowlath, Reinhardt Van Dyk, Dlaleni Mahlangu thank you so much for being great leaders. #EYUncovered2025 #aspiringCA(SA)