Leading with confidence in an AI-driven world.

Image by: SIX BLX MOTIONS

Gqeberha, Eastern Cape - After a productive week between editing and writing articles, we found ourselves out on a sunny Friday morning to attend VOW 2026, a Golf and Business Breakfast hosted by Akhona Ndlunguane at Humewood Golf Club. Known for creating platforms that bring women together to share knowledge and opportunities, Ndlunguane continues to champion conversations that empower women to grow both personally and professionally within the city.

The event formed part of the Voices of Women (VOW) initiative, which focuses on creating spaces where women in leadership, entrepreneurship and professional sectors can connect and exchange ideas. The theme for the morning, “Leading with Confidence in an AI-Driven World,” explored how Artificial Intelligence is shaping modern workplaces and how professionals can adapt while still maintaining the human skills that drive leadership.

Before the panel discussion began, Ndlunguane shared the story behind the initiative. She explained that the platform originally started as a support space for widows who needed a place to talk and share their experiences. During that journey, she connected with six other women, and through regular conversations they began supporting one another through different life challenges.

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Over time, the group realised the importance and power of women supporting each other. What started as a small support circle gradually grew into what is now known as Voices of Women, an initiative that has since expanded into the business space. Today, it focuses on empowering women in leadership and creating connections between professionals across different industries.

A key message she highlighted was that although people sometimes feel they can navigate challenges on their own, there is great value in women supporting, learning from and uplifting each other. The morning’s gathering was a reflection of that idea, a space where conversation, networking and shared insight could take place.

The panel featured three respected professionals who each shared their perspectives on the role of Artificial Intelligence in today’s working environment. These included Shirley Koaho, Motse Mfuleni and Tandokazi Nquma-Moyo.

Nquma-Moyo offered a cautious view of the technology, explaining that while AI can assist with certain tasks, professionals should avoid relying on it too heavily. She emphasised that many situations in business still require human presence, judgment and creativity, qualities that technology cannot fully replace.

Koaho, however, spoke about how she actively uses AI in her work, particularly after transitioning from the corporate environment into business. From her perspective, artificial intelligence can be a powerful tool for marketing, research and improving efficiency in business operations. She also encouraged professionals to explore more advanced AI tools or subscriptions in order to obtain more reliable and refined results.

Mfuleni offered a balanced view, acknowledging that AI is already part of everyday life, especially through the technology people interact with daily, such as smartphones. He noted that while AI will continue to grow within business and society, individuals should still focus on developing their own skills and staying informed about technological developments.

Overall, the discussion highlighted an important takeaway, while AI will continue to influence the future of work, the real strength of leadership lies in how people combine technology with human insight, collaboration and continuous learning.

Article by: S Mbali