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For Gugu Khathi, success is not simply about how far a woman can go. It is also about how many other women she can help take the next step.
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The South African businesswoman and media personality has built her journey around leadership, entrepreneurship and advocacy, while also embracing the demands of marriage and motherhood.
As August shines a spotlight on the achievements, challenges and continued fight for equality faced by women, Gugu believes one of the most important conversations is about creating meaningful opportunities for women to lead.
The life of Gugu Khathi
Her own story began in Kagiso, Mogale City, where she grew up in a family that valued curiosity, perseverance and service. Gugu went on to pursue a psychology degree, an experience that helped lay the foundation for her work in leadership, women’s empowerment and advocacy.
Today, she is also a wife and mother of three.
For Gugu, navigating these different roles has required more than simply trying to fit everything into a busy schedule.
“Balance comes from clear priorities, strong routines, and a supportive network,” she told BONA, while crediting communication, delegation and boundaries with helping her manage her professional and personal responsibilities.
“Protecting family time as non-negotiable” is one of the principles she follows, while communication with her partner and team helps her remain grounded.
Turning frustration into a platform for women
Khathi’s commitment to women’s empowerment is also reflected in I Am a Woman of Influence, an initiative she founded to help women access leadership opportunities, mentorship and meaningful connections.
The idea was born from something she had witnessed repeatedly: women with talent and potential who did not always have the platforms or networks needed to turn that potential into impact.
“I was inspired by witnessing capable women around me who struggled to find authentic platforms to shine,” she explains.
The organisation aims to bridge some of those gaps by creating opportunities for women across different industries and backgrounds.
Its offering includes mentorship and peer learning, leadership opportunities, partnerships and funding avenues, as well as programmes focused on advocacy, entrepreneurship, personal branding and career development.
Gugu views the community aspect as just as important. She wants women to have spaces where their voices can be heard, their experiences valued and their networks strengthened.
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Making leadership more accessible
One of the biggest challenges facing women who want to move into leadership, Gugu believes, is not a lack of ability. Instead, persistent bias and structural barriers can make it harder for women to access capital, influential networks and the kind of sponsorship that can accelerate a career.
Her response is to focus on practical support.
That includes leadership development, mentorship and connecting women with people who can help create opportunities. Representation is another key part of her vision.
Gugu states that I Am a Woman of Influence works to include women from different sectors and actively seeks voices that are often underrepresented.
Regional chapters, targeted programmes and feedback from members are among the ways the organisation hopes to ensure that different perspectives are not simply included, but genuinely heard.
Building the next generation of women leaders
Looking ahead, Gugu has ambitions to take I Am a Woman of Influence beyond its existing reach.
She envisions an Africa-wide network where women at different stages of their careers can access leadership opportunities, grow businesses and contribute to policy and wider conversations.
Several initiatives are part of that vision, including expanded regional chapters, a leadership accelerator focused on governance and digital skills, a structured mentorship exchange, and public-private partnerships designed to create practical opportunities for members.
The goal is not simply to build a larger network, but one that produces tangible outcomes for the women involved.
Gugu Khathi’s message to women
After experiencing the different demands of entrepreneurship, public life, marriage and motherhood, Khathi says one of her biggest lessons has been the power of resilience combined with collaboration.
For her, empowerment is not about succeeding alone. It is about using the doors that have opened for you to help open others.
“That resilience paired with authentic collaboration yields impact,” she shared with BONA.
It is a message that speaks directly to the spirit of Women’s Month: celebrating how far women have come while recognising the work still needed to create a more inclusive future.
For Gugu, that future starts with women supporting women, leading with purpose, and making room for the next generation.
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