In a proud moment for South Africa, two business leaders—Mary Vilakazi, CEO of FirstRand Group, and Mpumi Madisa, CEO of Bidvest, have been featured on Forbes’ prestigious 2025 list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women. Ranked at No. 74 and 89 respectively, these trailblazing women represent the best of South African resilience, innovation, and leadership, inspiring a new generation and showcasing SA’s growing influence on the global stage.
Their inclusion in this prestigious ranking is more than a personal accolade. It is a testament to the grit, intellect, and uniquely South African resilience that defines their careers.
Mary Vilakazi: The Architect of Financial Futures
Mary Vilakazi’s journey from the township of Alexandra to the helm of FirstRand, South Africa’s largest financial services group by market value, is a story of quiet brilliance and steady determination. Her path was paved with academic excellence, supported by a scholarship that saw her matriculate at St Enda’s before heading to Wits University.
Mary’s career took off at PwC, where she shattered expectations by becoming one of the firm’s youngest partners globally at just 27. Her transition into the corporate world saw her take on pivotal roles at MMI Holdings before joining FirstRand in 2018 as Group COO. On April 1, 2024, she made history as the first woman to lead the 185 year old institution.
Known for her strategic depth and human centric approach to leadership, Mary has often spoken about the importance of being a present mother while navigating the demands of the C-suite. Her story is one of balance, proving that power does not have to come at the expense of purpose or family.
READ – Mary Vilakazi appointed CEO of FirstRand
Mpumi Madisa: Leading the Giant with Heart
In the world of South African industry, few companies are as ubiquitous as Bidvest, and at its center is Mpumi Madisa. Her story is famously one of a pivot: originally intending to study medicine, a first year encounter with a laboratory rat convinced her that her future lay in numbers, not scalpels.
Mpumi’s rise within Bidvest is the ultimate “climb the ladder” success story. She joined a subsidiary, Prestige, in 2003 and worked her way through various roles in sales, marketing, and corporate affairs. When she was appointed CEO in 2020, she became the first Black woman to lead a top 40 JSE listed company, overseeing a massive workforce of roughly 130,000 employees.
Under her leadership, Bidvest has flourished, expanding internationally and embracing the transition to renewable energy. Mpumi is celebrated not just for her results, but for her commitment to “paying it forward.” She is a vocal advocate for gender transformation, ensuring that the doors she opened remain wide for the next generation of young women.
READ – Bidvest eyes takeovers with R28bn
The featuring of Mary and Mpumi on the global Forbes stage sends a powerful message to the world: South African boardrooms are evolving. These women represent a generation of leaders who lead with empathy, technical mastery, and an unwavering commitment to the growth of the African continent.
Their careers serve as a reminder that excellence knows no boundaries of geography or background. From Alex and Mohlakeng to the global stage, Mary Vilakazi and Mpumi Madisa are proving that the future of power is inclusive, diverse, and undeniably bright.