I caught up with Khensani Nobanda, Nedbank’s award-winning Group Marketing Executive, at the Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference 2025. She was named Marketing Person of the Year at the 2025 Marketing Achievement Awards, Khensani continues to inspire both in business and beyond.
She successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro this weekend as part of the #Trek4Education2025 expedition, an initiative dedicated to supporting education and driving social impact.
The group, made up of women from diverse countries and backgrounds, took on the 8-day Lemosho route to reach Africa’s highest peak, making this achievement both symbolic and deeply meaningful.
In our conversation, Khensani shared powerful insights on leadership, transformation, and what it truly takes to succeed in today’s marketing landscape.
Q. Thank you so much for agreeing to speak with us, and congratulations! This year, you were named Marketing Person of the Year at the 2025 Marketing Achievement Awards. What are the top three lessons you can share with other marketers?
Thank you so much. The first lesson I’d share is that, as a marketer, you’ve got to be curious. I always say curiosity is a fantastic skill for anyone to have. In the context of marketing, it means being curious about the world you operate in because that helps you understand your consumers better.
Be curious about your brand especially its history because brands have roots. When you work on a brand, make sure you know where it comes from so you can build a clear path for where it’s going. And lastly, be curious about yourself. I truly believe we are never at a place where we’ve learned everything. Knowing your own areas for growth will make you a better marketer.
Second, you have to be passionate about the brand you work on. People often ask, “How can I be passionate about something like margarine?” I used to work on Rama Margarine, for example. But I connected with the brand’s message: that giving your kids Rama gives them a good start to the day. That’s what I held onto, not just that it’s margarine. Find what resonates with you and hold onto that.
Third, work with the best. Surround yourself with the best people your team, your agencies, your partners. For example, our lead advertising agency is Joe Public, which has won Agency of the Year multiple times at the Loerie Awards. I’m okay with paying a premium if it means working with the best in the business.
Q. What is it about Nedbank that you’re so passionate about?
Firstly, it’s our purpose: using our financial expertise to make a positive impact on society. What does that mean? It means we aim to help individuals, businesses, and corporates thrive.
If you’re an individual who wants to study, how can Nedbank help make that happen? If you’re a business doing R20 million in revenue and want to grow to R50 million how can we help you get there?
I’m really passionate about the clarity we have in our mission. We’re committed to making a positive impact in South Africa and across the continent. We firmly believe we can’t be a sustainable bank in an unsustainable country or continent.
Another thing I’m passionate about is financial education. Right now, two out of three South Africans spend more than they earn, and about 70–80% of small businesses fail within their first three years. We have to do better—and financial education plays a major role in helping South Africans manage their money more sustainably.
You may have seen our latest TV ad—it says: Your money deserves a personal best. See money differently. That message really matters. And I’m passionate about delivering on it.
Q. What’s your assessment of transformation within the corporate sector?
We’ve certainly come a long way but we still have a long way to go. And if we don’t address that truthfully, we’re going to have a problem. We have high unemployment, high inequality we’re one of the most unequal societies in the world.
As corporate South Africa, we have a responsibility to help transform our country. Every South African should feel they have an opportunity to succeed whether it’s through education, owning a business, or building a career. Corporate South Africa must play a role in that transformation alongside government and civil society.
For me, bold transformation means going beyond the talk. It means doing the work, challenging each other, and having the difficult conversations. If we don’t, I fear that in a few years we’ll be having an even more difficult conversation about the state of our country. So, we must do more now.
Q. August is Women’s Month in South Africa. As a woman leader, what are your top three tips for other women in leadership?
The first thing I’d say is: lean into the qualities that women naturally have empathy, care, and nurturing. These used to be seen as “soft” or non-leadership traits, but they are actually powerful leadership qualities. I call them superpowers. Use them. Lead with them. They matter.
Second, know your worth and don’t let anyone else define it for you. Stand in your value.
And third, boldly ask for what you want. Don’t be afraid. The worst that can happen is someone says no but at least you asked, and that’s empowering.
Watch the full interview here:
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