FASSET and AGSA launch women leading in the public sector programme
From Left: Emily Piggott (Regional Managing Director & South Africa Office Head, Duke Corporate Education); Angie Naidoo (Managing Director, Duke Corporate Education); Vatiswa Nthoesane (Acting People Officer, Auditor-General of South Africa); Ayanda Mafuleka (CEO, Fasset); Pumla Molope (President, African Women Chartered Accountants), Babalwa Ngonyama (CEO, Sinayo Group), Robert Zwane (Business Unit Leader: Learning Experiences, Auditor-General of South Africa).
Image: Supplied.
The Finance, Accounting Services Sector Education and Training Authority (FASSET) has partnered with the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) to launch the Women Leading in the Public Sector programme, aimed at building a sustainable pipeline of women leaders across all spheres of the public sector.
The initiative targets 500 women already in senior leadership positions to strengthen integrity, accountability, and institutional transformation. Fully funded by FASSET, the 12‑month programme is designed to enhance strategic decision-making, ethical governance, stakeholder engagement, and transformative leadership. It seeks to give women leaders a competitive edge while driving talent attraction and retention to secure a long-term leadership pipeline in public institutions.
Speaking at the launch, FASSET chief executive Ayanda Mafuleka CA (SA) says, “We look forward to being able to equip women leaders to drive ethical and effective governance in the public sector. The Women Leading in the Public Sector programme is part of our Strategic Development Priorities (SDPs), with a specific focus on advancing women in leadership, driving inclusive growth, and enabling public sector capability.”
Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke emphasises the importance of strong public institutions in achieving national goals and improving citizens’ lives.
“For our country to work effectively, attain its goals, and improve the lives of its citizens, we require strong public institutions. All of us interface with the public sector in our daily lives as citizens, whether through services or the public infrastructure we use; we are all reliant on the public sector. This understanding should compel us all to do our part to ensure that we have an effective public sector. This programme is designed for women who are ready to lead with confidence to drive systemic change. As the AGSA, we are proud of this programme’s efforts to advance ethical and sustainable public institutions,” she says.
Developed by Duke Corporate Education, the programme includes monthly modules, leadership conversations, peer learning, and structured coaching to build resilience and networked leadership. The African Women Chartered Accountants will lead visibility and coaching workstreams, ensuring participants benefit from a national cohort of senior women leaders.
FASSET reiterated its commitment to capacity building in public sector finance, with the programme positioned as a journey of professional renewal, strategic reflection, and applied leadership. Participants will be expected to challenge themselves and their peers as they deepen their practice and strengthen their commitment to ethical public service.
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