Itireleng Kubeka
Itireleng Kubeka - Head of Tax at Absa Group Limited
“If I can leave having made everyone I have interacted with to feel loved, important, and with the knowledge and awareness that they are here for a reason and are on a mission that no one else but them can fulfill, I will be happy.”
Q1: Tell us about yourself (background)?
A1: I was born in Jericho (not the one in the Bible) in the Northwest. I was raised by my awesome late grandmother, the best upbringing I could have asked for. I have two beautiful and very funny kids, Ubuyile (15) and Sibusisiwe (13). I studied at Wits university and hold a Masters in International Tax. I currently manage the tax risk for the Absa Group.
Q2: Did you always know where you wanted to be?
A2: Not at all. I knew I wanted to be great and that was enough motivation. I enjoyed accounting at school and my interest in tax began in university. I initially wanted to study psychology but advice on the street was that accounting had more money. I have a huge interest in human behavior and as a result so I have now registered for a degree in psychology.
Q3: What has been the most vulnerable moment of your life or in your career (Any war stories you can share)?
A3: There are so many vulnerable moments that I can think of. Agreeing to this interview in itself is a very vulnerable moment for me. I do not like being in the spot light or having to talk about myself. I can talk about tax all day but it takes a lot for me to talk about me. Initially when I started this role I was very focused on the work and over time had to learn to allow myself to open up about my personal life to my team, an incredibly difficult task for which I am still working on. This has improved relationships as I have then become a human, that I also go through tough times and have weaknesses. It also provides that “me too” feeling and improves the connection around me.
Q4: What personal sacrifices have you made throughout your career?
A4: In order to be great at what I do I needed to invest the time in my organization and really understanding my chosen field and unfortunately sometimes that came at a cost to my family time and the wellness of my family. I have learned that communication is critical. People are more likely to support and less likely to rebel or act out if I have pulled them into my confidence and explained my situation.
Q5: Who was an inspiring woman leader to you growing up and who inspires you now?
A5: Without a doubt my grandmother and my mother have been my inspiration and pillars of strength. My grandmother was an excellent teacher on life lessons, she never told me what to do or what not to do. She would teach me that every choice had a consequence and she would teach me what the consequence is and allow me the freedom of choice. As an example she would say, “if you touch the hot stove, you will burn your fingers” and I would have the choice of touching the stove and would have to live with the consequences. Understanding the power of choice and its consequences has had a powerful impact on my life in ensuring that I understand that I am responsible for everything that happens to me.
Q6: What are some strategies that can help women grow within their organisations?
A6: 1. Building network and relationships- you will not get very far without building your network. It may seem like a daunting task but all you need is one or two people that are well connected that you can ask to help grow your network and build your relationships.
2. Mentors, Sponsors and Coaches.- having mentors has played a huge role in my success. I do not know everything it is therefore important that I find people who can assist me in closing the gaps. It is equally important that I give back some of this knowledge, therefore mentoring and coaching others has as much learnings for me as it does for the people I mentor and coach.
3. Know who you are are- this is probably the most important. Until I knew who I was, I was moving with the wind and went where it blew. As soon as I discovered myself, I discovered my power. Every decision I make is made from the point of me being aligned with who I am, then I am comfortable that it is the right decision.
Q7: This year’s commemoration of Women’s month theme is the “The year of Charlotte Mannya Maxeke: Realizing Women’s Rights”. What does this mean to you?
A7: This has been such a long road for women not only in South Africa but around the world and there is still so much work to be done. For me it is the small steps that will start making a difference. As women one small change we can begin with is to stop supporting the stereo types. While men are beginning to accept gender equality at work, they still believe they are doing their wives favour by contributing to the household chores and some women feel guilty when their husbands are washing the dishes. We are therefore also contributing to this problem and we need to start making that shifts.
Q8: How do you celebrate being a woman?
A8: By looking after my physical and mental health. What I take into my body physically and mentally is an essential part of ensuring I am the person I am here to be. I cannot fulfill my purpose here on earth if I am not in top form and my purpose requires me to be a woman.
Q9: As a Grind Member, what about our mission resonates with you?
A9: Definitely the mentorship. Mentorship has been a contributor to where I am today and it’s a way of imparting what I have learned over the years but it is also my way of keeping in touch and in the loop of with the younger generation and their way of thinking. It was my mentee that helped me get onto Linkedin.
Q10: How do you feel you could use your unique skills, experience, and perspective to further our cause?
A10: The one thing that makes every single one of us unique is our stories. As much as it makes me vulnerable I have witnessed how sharing ones unique story and experience can make such a difference in peoples lives. Even if you claim to have to have no skill, you have a story, your life story and there is none like it.
Q11: What would you like to be remembered for, i.e., what type of legacy do you want to leave?
A11: If I can leave having made everyone I have interacted with to feel loved, important, and with the knowledge and awareness that they are here for a reason and are on a mission that no one else but them can fulfill, I will be happy.
Q12: If you had to choose, which fictional character do you resonate with? And why (it doesn’t have to be a female character)?
A12: Daenerys Targaryen (Khallesi)!!! The beauty, the power, the determination, the bravery, the rage! One thing me and her have in common is the compassion and kindness she has and the difficulty of watching innocent people suffer.