by Teboho Seretlo

Fellow Lionesses, it’s been a minute! As we step into a new year, I find myself reflecting deeply on my journey in 2024—the lessons I have learned and the priorities I am setting for the year ahead.

My most profound lessons in 2024 revolved around governance and ethics, particularly in fostering a culture of ethical behavior in my business dealings and broader spheres of influence. These reflections are rooted in my experiences over the past year. My business model thrives on partnerships, collaborations, and joint ventures with other small businesses to effectively seize emerging opportunities. Choosing the right people to work with is crucial. For me, alignment in values, business ethics, and work ethics is non-negotiable.

In South Africa, we are no strangers to media stories about corruption, particularly in government. It often feels like this rot has metastasized, threatening the system’s integrity. Many of us lament being unable to secure tenders without succumbing to demands for bribes or favors from those in positions of power. Yet, we often overlook how similar challenges arise in the private sector.

How do you, as a business owner, respond to such unethical requests when they come from unexpected quarters? Do you have structures in place to allow clients or partners to report unethical behavior—particularly if one of your own staff members is involved?

One of my most significant lessons this year was realizing that these "shenanigans" are not confined to government. Not everyone shares my commitment to meeting deadlines, delivering projects within budget, or refusing to compromise values for the sake of landing a deal. I have also learned that the stress of managing cash flow should not drive decisions misaligned with my ethics. Making decisions from a place of fear—fear of running out of cash, for example—can lead down the wrong path. Instead, the real work is addressing that fear so you are better equipped when it rears its head again.

Remaining steadfast in my values and ethics has been crucial in avoiding internal dissonance. As a business owner, if you would not tolerate theft within your company, why partner with or collaborate with individuals who have no qualms about using you as a means to steal from their employers? It is ironic how some people, who decry corruption in government fail to see the hypocrisy in soliciting bribes or stealing from their own employers.

In 2025, let us strive to do better. Let us walk the talk of ethical leadership and be the change we wish to see in the world. Let us not be the “good men” who do nothing, that Edmund Burke referred to when he said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

Wishing you, your businesses, and your families a prosperous 2025. May this be the year you embrace challenges, transform dreams into actionable plans, and unlock your full potential.

Teboho Seretlo
Founder and Director, Seretlo Consulting

Teboho Seretlo is the managing director and founder of Seretlo Investments (Pty) Ltd, a business support services consultancy which assists micro, small and medium enterprises with business intelligence support, business plans and investor pitch decks, funding applications, business cost optimization and business improvement processes. She also ran a franchised premium dry-cleaning outlet of her own for 5 years. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Maths from University of Fort Hare, Management Development Programme (MDP) from GIBS and an International Executive Development Programme (IEDP) GIBS & Rotterdam School of Management. She has over 25 years working experience with corporates such as Nedbank, Momentum, The Coca-Cola Company, SABreweries and Unilever, where she gained experience in a variety of disciplines including B-BBEE &transformation, financial management & budgeting, project management, decision-support, business strategy & analysis as well as research. She is passionate about gender issues and does volunteer work for women empowerment organisations.