Joe Makhafola sat down with Dr Anza Tshipetane and discovered her multiple prowess, a silent yet powerhouse jam.
In a world where careers no longer follow predictable paths and young professionals are constantly challenged to reinvent themselves, Dr Anza Tshipetane, a silent missile and icon in its intent, born and bred in Venda, stands out as a powerful example of what it means to embrace multiple passions, break boundaries, and build a life anchored in service, excellence, and impact.
Dr Tshipetane refers to herself as a development practitioner. She has left footprints in clinical medicine, public health, and health economics, MBB management consulting, finance, social entrepreneurship, and policy advocacy.
Her journey captures the essence of 21st-century leadership. Anyone who cuts the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans understands that such recognition comes with great responsibility; to whom much is given, much is expected.
In our conversation, she speaks candidly about her unconventional path, her mission to transform communities, and the blueprint she believes every young person needs to accelerate their success.
Many people know you as a medical doctor, yet today you are thriving in management consulting. Who is Dr Anza in your own words?
I have always believed that a person can have multiple passions that do not necessarily relate to each other. I am a medical doctor by training, a management consultant by profession, and a development practitioner by purpose. At the core, I am someone who is driven by solving problems that aid the development of LMICs. Whether in healthcare, business, finance or social impact, I want to create systems that work better, open doors for others, and shape environments where all man thrives equality.
Your transition from medicine to management consulting is fascinating. What inspired such a bold shift?
My story is not linear, and that is intentional. I chose purpose over a job specifications, I wake up everyday anticipating a new challenge and knowing that when I say my head down to sleep I would have changed the lives of people I may never get to meet
Coming from a very traditional medical path, people expected me to go into clinical work or specialisation. But I kept feeling drawn to an environment that would stretch my leadership potential, sharpen my ability to solve complex problems, and expose me to diverse industries.
Management consulting, especially at a leading global firm with strong footprints in healthcare, offered exactly that. Consultants are trained to walk into any industry, identify inefficiencies, and redesign systems for better performance. That excited me.
Healthcare is my foundation, so it is an easy fit, but I can also work in banking, insurance, mining, oil and gas, you name it. The modern workspace rewards problem-solvers more than it rewards titles. Engineers now work in banks. Humanities graduates become investment bankers. A physics graduate can become a top data analyst.
Careers are no longer confined to single lanes and that is the ethos of my NGO, Bright Young Leaders Initiative (BYLI). We have been echoing the same message across the world, and that is “leaders are born from the ability to think, solve, build, and adapt”.
You often speak about the disconnect between education and the job market. What do young people need to understand about this gap?
The biggest misunderstanding is the difference between professional degrees and academic degrees. A professional degree might place you in a traditional occupation but the availability of higher education placements is skewed to academic degrees. For an example, a BSc in Cell Biology, is an academic degree. Its natural path is postgraduate studies, Honours, Master’s, PhD, and eventually a research or academic role. With the limited number of jobs available for this expected career trajectory, we find ourselves with graduates who need pursue unconventional careers.
The rise of AI has shaken the world, showing us that knowledge based careers are at threat but we need to hone in on a different set of skills.
Employers have realised this are no longer fixated on “what you studied”. They want versatile people who can think critically, solve problems logically, adapt quickly, communicate well, and work in teams. I love education but many people do not appreciate the breadth and depth of it. Education should develop your mind, not restrict your potential.
Speaking of potential, your own journey started in Venda with limited exposure. How did you navigate that lack of access to information?
I was just a kid from Venda with very limited information about careers. I did not know what I know now. But I was observant. I watched older learners from my village who made it into university. Some came back to tell their stories, explain career paths, and open our minds.
One person whose journey has inspired me in Dr Maanda Tshifularo, we are both alumni of Mbilwi Secondary School. He started his career in engineering, held executive roles on JSE-listed companies before founding his own consulting firm, Superlead Advisory. Hearing these stories made me realise that the world is bigger than what we see in our small communities .
When you are not exposed, your dreams are limited to what you know. That is why representation matters.
You speak passionately about the obligation of privilege. What does giving back mean to you?
I believe deeply in returning to the places that shaped you. If you grew up with limited exposure, think about your younger self and how limited your perspective was. It is only just, to give back and expand the horizon for your people who started off like yourself through
sharing career options, explaining what various degrees actually mean and helping them them understand the skills businesses need today. Showing them that they, too, can belong in global spaces. Information is a form of empowerment.
Mentorship seems to be a huge theme in your life. How has it shaped you?
Mentorship changed everything for me. I am someone who will always ask for help. If I see someone succeeding, I want to learn from them. People like Dr Mbilaelo Tshamiswe took me under their wing and helped shape my professional mindset. They opened doors, provided perspective, and guided me through spaces I had never entered before.
Every young person needs mentors. Not just one, different mentors at different stages.
In high school, find university students.
At university, find working professionals.
When working, look to managers and executives.
As you grow, seek people who are ahead of you in leadership and business.
Your career has a hierarchy, your mentors should too.
You are also involved in social entrepreneurship. Tell us about your NGO work.
My NGO work comes from a deep understanding of the challenges young people face, especially those from rural areas. My ventures focus on access: access to information, mentorship, career guidance, and opportunities.
My goal is simple: To shorten the distance between talent and opportunity.
I want to create platforms where young people can be exposed to careers, connected to mentors, and supported in shaping their futures. Social entrepreneurship allows me to blend purpose with practice-solving social issues with innovative, sustainable solutions.
You have successfully built a multifaceted career. How can young people fast-track their own trajectory?
There are three fundamental things:
1. Education
Whether formal or informal, knowledge gives you a foundation. You do not have to study the “right” thing; you must study in a way that develops your mind.
2. Leverage Your Network
Networking is not about collecting contacts; it is about building genuine relationships. Your next opportunity is often linked to your current relationships.
3. Mentorship and Sponsorship
Mentors advise you. Sponsors advocate for you. You need both. No one succeeds alone.
Finally, what message would you share with young people who feel limited by their circumstances?
Your circumstances are not the ceiling of your potential. Exposure will transform you. Ask questions. Seek mentors. Be curious. Say yes to opportunities that stretch you. And most importantly, give yourself permission to evolve.
You are allowed to have multiple passions. You are allowed to pivot. You are allowed to dream beyond what you have seen.
If you commit to learning, connect with the right people, and remain consistent, you can build a life that once felt impossible.
Joe Makhafola is experienced Marketing and Communications Executive and former spokesperson for the Minister of Communications.
Young, Gifted & Black