Full Name: Basani Maluleke

Position and Company Name: Group executive of personal banking at Capitec

Main Activity of the Company: Capitec’s mission is to make banking accessible, transparent, and meaningful for all. At its heart, Capitec is about helping people bank on better futures, whether that is managing money more effectively, accessing credit responsibly, or building financial confidence

Date and Place of Birth: I grew up in Shoshanguve, north of Pretoria

Schools and Tertiary Education: I went to St Andrew’s, a private girls’ school, from the age of eight. Later, I studied accounting at the University of Cape Town because I had a bursary, and then switched to law, which I fell in love with. Constitutional law, in particular, in the years after 1994, shaped the way I think about society, equality, and the role we each play in creating the future we want to live in. I also have an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, in the US

First Job: My first job was as a lawyer, where I developed a love for problem solving and deep respect for fairness. I quickly realised I wanted to move from simply documenting deals to shaping and driving them. That was the spark that pushed me towards banking

Career Path to Date: I entered corporate finance after leaving the legal field. While corporate finance gave me a seat at the table for big deals, I wanted to be closer to the real economy, where everyday people feel the impact of decisions. That is what brought me into retail banking. Today, at Capitec, those lessons all come together. We are working to transform banking so that millions of South Africans can access financial services that are simple, transparent, and truly designed for them. That is what “banking on better” means to me – helping people live better, not just bank better

Number of People under Your Leadership: I lead large, diverse teams within retail banking

Management Style: For me, leadership is about creating an environment where people feel a sense of belonging and where they can see a future for themselves

Personal Best Achievement: Running the Comrades Marathon. It was about pushing beyond what I thought was possible, one step at a time. In many ways, it mirrors my career: endurance, resilience, and keeping one’s eyes fixed on the bigger goal

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My father. He embodied strength, kindness, adaptability, and generosity. What I admired most about him was that he got things done, but always in a way that lifted others up and strengthened the community around him

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My older sister, Tsakani Maluleke – she has been an incredible source of inspiration and support, showing me how to navigate challenges and grow professionally. I have also been fortunate to have other leaders and mentors who demonstrated resilience and adaptability

Philosophy of Life: You must leave the world a better place than you found it. Think big, think long-term and never stop moving

Hope for the Future: That South Africans have access to opportunity, dignity, and hope, and that, through my work, I can continue helping people live better

Favourite Reading: I love reading novels, biographies, and books on democracy and leadership. A quiet afternoon with a book and a glass of wine is magical

Favourite Music: I love kwaito, hip-hop, classical, jazz, and R&B. Kwaito, in particular, always boosts me when I need it.

Hobbies: Reading, daily meditation, regular exercise, and spending time with family