As the founder of DML45 Consulting, Thokozile Lewanika drives transformative performance and culture change for leaders, leadership teams and organisations. With over 20 years of experience spanning academia, management consulting, executive coaching, corporate roles and entrepreneurship, Thokozile integrates analytical rigor with behavioural and business insights to foster significant shifts in mindsets, behaviors, capabilities and performance.
Thokozile is passionate about science education, leadership development, and lifelong learning, all of which have had a tremendous impact on her success. Thokozile dedicates her time to facilitating leadership excellence and socioeconomic impact through education, leadership development and future-fit learning consulting and coaching. She speaks and teaches on self-leadership, women in leadership and building and sustaining high-performance. Additionally, she serves on the advisory board for the University of Pretoria’s Centre for the Future of Work, and as a non-executive trustee for the Southern Africa Trust. She holds a PhD in Molecular & Cell Biology from the University of Cape Town and has completed executive development programmes at IMD Business School and Singularity University South Africa.
“Leadership greatness is acting on every idea you’ve had to make things better for yourself and others. That’s what great leaders do. They act. They don’t stop at ideation and endless discussions. They do what needs to be done to bring all their great ideas to life. What have you done with your last great idea?”
Evolving Definitions of Success: A Daily Pursuit of Personal Fulfillment
Thokozile believes that success means living in close alignment with her priorities on a day-to-day basis. One of the biggest freedoms and opportunities that has come with her entrepreneurial journey is the ability to redefine success as a daily endeavor.
“If I have a day in which I feel I have achieved my personal goals primarily around health — mental, physical, spiritual, emotional — if I’ve attended to that and to my most meaningful relationships, my children, my partner, my tribe and if I have served my clients well from a business perspective, then I have had a successful day,” she says.
“Waking up and going to bed feeling like I’ve attended to my priorities in a meaningful way” epitomizes her current view of success. This definition has evolved over the years from focusing solely on long-term impact to incorporating daily personal fulfillment and happiness.
“For the longest time, I defined success as impact and my ability to have a positive effect on the world. I was brought up with a big service mindset, here to make the world a better place,” Thokozile reflects. Her past view disproportionately centered on external achievements and the positive impact on loved ones, often neglecting her own interests and well-being.
“This is a new thing for me — having my own success that’s not related to achievement or service, just about things that make me happy,” she acknowledges. Thokozile’s current perspective embraces a more balanced approach, integrating personal daily joy into her definition of success.
A Path Shaped by Curiosity and Impact
Thokozile’s journey into management consulting and human capital was not a premeditated choice but a result of her ambition to make a big difference in the world and willingness to learn. Reflecting on her path, she notes, “I’ve always been ambitious and believed in doing big, helpful things in the world.” Her career began in academia, where she trained as a molecular and cell biologist. Initially driven by a desire to improve healthcare through work on probiotics, her work eventually shifted towards tackling food security and addressing persistent drought challenges across Africa.
However, the relatively slow pace of academic research work led to dissatisfaction. “It’s a lot of experiements and papers and research application red tape before you can produce something that is used by the public,” she says. A pivotal conversation with her boyfriend about the pace and impact of business careers introduced her to McKinsey & Company. “He put the idea in my head,” she recalls. This idea was further solidified when she met a McKinsey consultant, which spurred her to research the company and prepare a skills-based CV with the help of the University of Cape Town (UCT) career service.
Fortuitously, McKinsey was on campus the day Thokozile finalized her CV. The head of career services suggested submitting it immediately. “Paula Coetzee, the recruiter at the time, saw my CV and came to talk to me. She spoke to me in the present tense, as if joining McKinsey was a foregone conclusion,” Thokozile recounts. This conversation boosted her confidence and solidified her interest in McKinsey’s impactful projects in healthcare and education.
Her successful entry into McKinsey felt serendipitous. “Ignorance was bliss,” she reflects, acknowledging that knowing the difficulty of getting into McKinsey might have led to impostor syndrome and self-sabotage. “Mindset matters even more than one’s actual abilities for high-stakes performance” she says. Thokozile’s journey underscores her pursuit of tangible impact and the transformative power of capturing timely opportunities and supportive networks.
“My career in science taught me that organisms don’t contain anything that doesn’t have a specific and unique function. My work in leadership development has shown me this is also true for human potential”
Inspired by Personal Growth and Passion for Impact
Thokozile’s entrepreneurial journey with DML 45 is driven by a blend of personal ambition and a desire for meaningful impact. “I always knew I’d end up here, I just wasn’t sure when,” she reflects. Her dissatisfaction with the constraints of being a career executive played a significant role. Despite enjoying roles focused on leadership development and learning, she found herself bogged down by governance and managerial responsibilities that took time away from her true passions. “I want to do the actual work, not necessarily all the governance meetings, board papers, and managing teams,” she explains.
Her reflection on daily activities revealed that she wasn’t spending enough time on the aspects of work she loved, like creating solutions and more directly developing leaders. “Leading involves so much more than just working on the work,” she notes. This realization, coupled with a desire to focus on what she enjoyed most, was pivotal. Additionally, her passion for combining leadership development, science education impact, and coaching led her to seek a life that combined these interests. “There’s no job that marries these things,” she says, prompting her to create one.
“It is essential to understand what leadership is. Otherwise, you will end up being a follower of your own life”
The name DML 45 holds personal significance, representing her late father, David Mbelele Lewanika, who was born in 1945. “My first car had the number plate DML 45. The car was a gift from my dad after my PhD graduation so I chose that number plate to honour him,” she recalls. Turning 45 last year marked a full circle moment, combining her financial readiness with her continued emotional connection to her father. “I could finally take a bet on myself without jeopardizing my ability to look after my kids in the near term,” she explains, noting her careful financial planning over the past few years.
Launching DML 45 also signifies a broader transition in Thokozile’s life. She aims to prioritize her personal goals alongside her professional ambitions. “The transition isn’t just about going entrepreneurial; it’s about being more purposeful in making myself a key priority,” she emphasizes. This new chapter blends her career aspirations with a commitment to personal fulfillment, marking a significant step in her journey.
Navigating Entrepreneurship with Faith and Adaptability
Starting DML 45 has been a charmed experience for Thokozile, who attributes her smooth transition into entrepreneurship to her belief in God and the support of her network. The anticipated struggles of financial insecurity and client acquisition didn’t materialize. Instead, her network approached her with opportunities, teaching her a valuable lesson: “Maybe I might be even better at my work than I realized.”
However, she faced unexpected challenges in clarifying the scope of her work. With a diverse career background, Thokozile initially struggled to determine which projects to pursue. “Just because you can doesn’t mean you should,” she realized, eventually deciding to explore various opportunities to find the best balance between joy and financial returns.
Administrative tasks presented another challenge. As an executive, she had teams to handle such duties, but now she had to manage everything herself. “I don’t like to do admin things…it’s not my strength,” she admits. Learning to delegate these tasks has been crucial in maintaining her energy and focus.
Additionally, Thokozile is now focusing on marketing and business development, areas she had previously overlooked. “You have to make hay when the sun shines, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan for winter,” she observes. She remains passionate about science education impact, leadership development and learning, aiming to strategically prioritize these areas while remaining open to opportunistic projects.
Thokozile’s journey underscores the importance of adaptability and leveraging one’s network. “I’m more in opportunity prioritization mode than challenges,” she concludes, reflecting her optimistic outlook on the path ahead.
A Singular Vision for Education and Leadership
DML 45 Consulting, led by Thokozile, offers a unique blend of facilitation, consulting and coaching services that span science education effectiveness, leadership development, learning and personalized executive coaching. Founded and primarily operated by Thokozile, the company thrives on a network of collaborators nurtured since her days at McKinsey and various corporate roles.
Thokozile emphasizes a comprehensive approach, stating, “I have found myself doing serious work across a good body of clients, exceeding my expectations.” The company provides executive coaching for leadership teams and individual leaders, career coaching for executives in transition, and business strategy coaching. Thokozile’s unique ability to combine executive and business coaching allows her to address both personal and organizational challenges. “I love to solve problems and contribute to solving complex problems,” she says, highlighting her passion for impactful solutions.
Thokozile’s experience has shown that customized leadership development is crucial. She notes, “Leadership development interventions should start at an entry-level to help individuals to maximise their potential and rise more quickly.” DML 45 has seen significant growth in helping organizations establish learning academies with a strong leadership development agenda. “More organisations now recognize that driving innovation and transformative performance requires unleashing the full leadership capacity of all individuals in an organisation, and not just focusing on developing positional leaders. This is long overdue” she notes.
“All human beings have the capacity and responsibility to lead but too few choose to. Don’t just live your life, lead your life”
The firm is actively involved in projects assessing and enhancing the socio-economic impact of STEM-focused programs. Thokozile collaborates with clients to develop policies and strategies aimed at advancing tangible socio-economic impacts in the STEM field. “It’s a global conversation, and interacting with the global community in this space is very exciting,” she remarks.
Thokozile observes a growing trend of executives and aspiring leaders seeking leadership coaching services, even at their own expense. “People are backing themselves by investing in personal development from a coaching point of view,” she says. This shift towards more individuals investing in coaching for personal growth and self-improvement is heartwarming for Thokozile, who enjoys helping clients navigate their career and life transitions. “Sustaining high performance is as much about one’s personal leadership effectiveness as it is one’s technical abilities” she says.
As DML 45 continues to grow, Thokozile remains focused on enhancing and expanding collaborations. She aims to further contribute to the fields of science education impact and leadership development with innovative solutions and a commitment to excellence. For more information about DML 45 Consulting and its services, contact info@dml45.africa. DML45’s website will be launching soon.
Embracing Technology for Enhanced Connectivity and Growth
DML45 Consulting harnesses technology to drive connectivity and collaboration, enabling the firm to serve clients across continents and maintaining key stakeholder relationships globally.
“Technology is crucial for connectivity and collaboration in a remote and distributed way,” Thokozile explains. This need for hyper-connectivity has led her to invest in tools that enhance productivity and performance management. Being digitally inclined, she leverages her past experiences and a supportive tech-savvy team to stay ahead in the new world of work.
Thokozile emphasizes the significance of deliberate investments in technology. “One has to be very deliberate about how you invest in tools for connectivity, collaboration, and efficiency,” she says. These tools not only improve internal productivity but also facilitate efficient client interactions and solution delivery.
AI and other advanced technologies are integral to DML 45’s operations. Thokozile highlights the exponential benefits of using technology in leadership development and education. “AI is the new normal,” she notes, citing examples like AI generated avatars and authentic voices for enhanced efficiency when creating e-learning and using digital assistants to capture meeting minutes. She continually explores how technology can make solutions cheaper, faster, and more effective.
As DML 45 grows, Thokozile remains focused on integrating more innovative technological solutions to maintain a competitive edge. Her commitment to leveraging technology ensures that the firm stays at the forefront of consulting and coaching services, driving impactful results for clients worldwide.
Celebrating Leadership Through Personal and Professional Impact
Thokozile’s greatest achievements as a leader lie in both her personal and professional spheres. “My proudest achievement as a leader has to be my children,” Thokozile states. She has been deliberate in her parenting, ensuring her daughters develop strong leadership qualities.
Her 21-year-old daughter Bupe is thriving in New York, excelling academically and socially at the New York Fashion Institute of Technology. “You know you’ve instilled something great when a child flourishes in a foreign environment,” she adds, underscoring the leadership traits her daughters exhibit in various settings.
Thokozile also takes pride in the lasting impact she has made in every organization she has worked with. “I’ve had consistent feedback that I made a positive difference, and it’s measurable,” she says. The continued recognition and appreciation she receives from former colleagues and clients affirm the enduring value of her contributions. “What I work for is sustainable, exponential and measurable impact,” she notes, highlighting the joy she feels when her work’s influence persists long after her tenure or time with a client.
Her leadership development interventions, like the Leadership Academy she led design of in a former corporate role, continue to benefit participants years later. “When someone you don’t know writes to you three years down the line, saying a leadership programme you developed is the greatest experience they’ve ever had, you know you did something good,” she reflects. Seeing people she has coached and mentored ascend in their careers and achieve personal fulfilment further cements her sense of accomplishment.
Thokozile’s ability to instill leadership in her children and create lasting organizational impact defines her legacy. “It’s nice to do things today, but you want your impact to live beyond that,” she says. This sustained influence is the hallmark of her leadership journey, both at home and in her professional endeavors.
The referrals she receives are a powerful endorsement of her work. “It’s a great vote of confidence and success when people refer me based on their assurance in my capabilities,” she notes. This trust, demonstrated through personal recommendations, highlights the enduring impact of her contributions and the strong professional relationships she has cultivated over time.
Diverse Responsibilities Define the Role of a Founder
As the founder of DML 45, Thokozile’s daily responsibilities are far from predictable. “I think every entrepreneur will tell you that no two days are the same,” she notes. Her routine is structured around essential activities, including the school run, personal fitness, and meaningful connections with her family.
Each day begins with a focus on spiritual and physical wellness, including prayer and exercise. “I love to connect with my younger daughter and squeeze in fitness,” she says. The rest of the day is a mix of coaching sessions, consulting work, client meetings, and managing a network of collaborators. “Every day involves spiritual and physical fitness, client work, and connecting with my loved ones,” she explains.
In her role, Thokozile balances immediate client needs with longer-term business development. She drives project delivery, ensures client satisfaction, and is increasingly focused on business growth and future opportunities. “Being intentional about business development and managing new requests is crucial as I consider where DML45 is going,” she adds.
Balancing Personal and Professional Life Through Daily Planning
Thokozile maintains a balance between personal and professional life by setting daily goals and meticulously planning her schedule. “Making personal fulfilment a daily goal forces you to prioritize ruthlessly,” she says. By calendaring both work and personal activities, she ensures that each is respected and accounted for.
She also values clear communication and setting boundaries. “I can be open and honest with my stakeholders and clients about my needs,” Thokozile explains. This transparency allows her to manage deadlines while maintaining personal priorities.
Motivating herself and her team involves understanding individual aspirations. “I interact with people holistically, attending to their aspirations beyond their work,” she notes. This approach helps sustain motivation, especially when work becomes challenging.
In times when work is unmotivating, Thokozile focuses on energizing personal activities. “If work is a slug, I’ll make sure there’s something energizing on the personal front,” she adds. This balance is essential for maintaining overall well-being and effectiveness.
Aligning Personal Aspirations with Professional Goals
Thokozile envisions the future of her company as deeply intertwined with her personal aspirations. She aims to live in alignment with both her personal and professional goals. “If I wake up and see that I’ve achieved what I wanted for myself, my kids, and my partner and that I’ve served my clients well, then I’ll be very happy,” she states.
Her focus includes nurturing existing client relationships and tracking the long-term impact of her work. “Great impact doesn’t necessarily mean sticking with the client forever, but nurturing relationships to track and learn from the impact of our work,” Thokozile explains. She emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adjustment to improve outcomes.
Looking ahead, Thokozile is excited about expanding into new areas, including the socio-economic impact of STEM education. She seeks to “break new ground” and co-create models that enhance socio-economic returns on global investments in STEM education.
Additionally, Thokozile aspires to drive a revolution in personal leadership development, advocating for tangible, measurable impact from schools to executives. “I am big on measurements and impact because I want sustained, exponential returns,” she asserts. This commitment reflects her long-term vision for a well-architected, impactful leadership development process.
Embracing Both Leadership and Service for a Balanced Impact
Thokozile views leadership as a blend of leading and serving. She believes self-leadership is crucial, asserting, “All people must lead, starting with self.” She harnesses her talents for both personal and professional growth, integrating them into her leadership approach.
Thokozile emphasizes that her role is to make the world better, focusing on serving goals and visions. “I exist to make the world better for myself and others,” she says. Her leadership style adapts to context, leading with vision when needed and serving existing visions when appropriate.
For aspiring business leaders, Thokozile advises embracing visions as unique contributions to the world. “If you have a vision, it’s there for a reason. You can’t do nothing with it,” she counsels. She recommends starting small, experimenting while employed, or breaking down big ideas into manageable steps.
Thokozile reflects on her journey with gratitude, choosing the word “blessed” to describe herself. She acknowledges both the privileges and challenges of her life, finding strength in relationships and faith. “I feel like I’ve had a very privileged life… but I’ve also faced significant losses and obstacles,” she shares. Her faith, resilience and positive outlook guide her through life’s difficulties, reinforcing her commitment to leadership and service.
“A limiting mindset is a more expensive problem to have than a lack of resources.”
Conclusion
Thokozile Lewanika’s work across academia, management consulting, corporate roles and entrepreneurship has empowered her with a unique collection of insights, skills and experiences in one individual. Her approach to leadership development and consulting reflects a deep commitment to integrating personal and professional growth and impact. Her dedication to transformative change positions her as a key figure in shaping future leaders and fostering impactful organizational cultures. By emphasizing the alignment of personal values with professional aspirations, she not only enhances executive performance but also champions a holistic approach to leadership that embraces continuous learning and inclusivity. Through her work, roles on boards and in her community, Thokozile remains at the forefront of driving excellence in leadership development; as well as enhancing the socioeconomic impact of science education.
