Marjorie Mabambo

Marjorie Mabambo - Corporate Foreign Exchange Sales at Absa Group

“I want to be remembered for having cared for much more than myself.”

Q1: Tell us about yourself (background)?

A1: I was born and raised in Soweto Diepkloof, one of two girls and began my career in the financial markets in 2006, as a trainee under a banking learnership. Subsequently I was offered a permanent role by one of the financial institutions, where I had an opportunity to serve in multiple roles. 14 years later, I am still joyfully taking up space within the industry.

Q2: Did you always know where you wanted to be? 

A2: No I didn’t actually, I just wanted to make ends meet for my family.

Q3: What has been the most vulnerable moment of your life or in your career (Any war stories you can share)?

A3: When I lost my mom, she was my anchor and she kept me grounded.

Q4: What personal sacrifices have you made throughout your career?  

A4: Left my family behind to take up an opportunity in a different province.

Q5: Who was an inspiring woman leader to you growing up, and who inspires you now?

A5: My grandmother, I’ve always admired how she led without a title. Linda Nyembezi from Insele Capital Partners is one of the phenomenal women that currently inspires me. I admire her strength, tenacity and courage as a businesswoman, not forgetting her approach in living life with ease.

Q6: What are some strategies that can help women grow within their organisations?

A6: Firstly, they need to show up authentically and take up a great deal of space fearlessly. Fine tune their current role by taking more responsibilities that challenge us.

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: It means creating awareness that we as women belong. And we have a key role to play in the society at large and we are more than capable.

Q8: How do you celebrate being a woman?

A8: Showing up as myself and pouring from a filled cup, which speaks to all that I am: my soul, mind, body and spirit.

Q9:  As a Grind Member, what about our mission resonates with you?

A9: “Building a South Africa we dream of” - it gives me an opportunity to part of the change I want to see.

Q10: How do you feel you could use your unique skills, experience, and perspective to further our cause?

A10: Above experience and skill, for me its about passion, compassion and empathy. I want to change someone’s life.

Q11: What would you like to be remembered for, i.e., what type of legacy do you want to leave?

A11: I want to be remembered for having cared for much more than myself.

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: Optimus Prime from the transformers : He saw and fought for a world were two complete different species could co-exist peacefully, which for me, reminds me of a cause that women continue to fight for: an equal and a peaceful society.