In Episode 24 of The Incredible Machines Podcast, hosts Jon Oliff and Luke Holden are joined by Mpume Zwane Langa, a powerful voice for transformation, authenticity, and feminine leadership. From selling sweets at age five to climbing the ranks in corporate banking and becoming Unilever’s Finance Director, Mpume has never been afraid to rewrite the script.
In this wide-ranging episode, she opens up about embracing personal freedom, raising children without inherited trauma, resisting labels, and the courageous leap from corporate executive to entrepreneur and homeschool educator.
Whether you're in the middle of your own pivot, leading a team, or seeking to live more authentically, this conversation will stir something deep within you.
Mpume challenges the societal obsession with rigid roles. For her, labels are limiting. She believes in living many lives in one lifetime and that we owe it to ourselves (and to God) to live out our full potential.
“If you’re born with the tools to be something great and you don’t pursue it, that’s an insult to your Creator.”
Early in her banking career, Mpume faced ageism and racial bias. Her response? Dress like the boss, drive the car (even if it wasn’t hers), and let her presence speak before her resume did.
“You have to be who you say you are, and the only way to do that is through authenticity.”
One of the most moving sections of the episode is when Mpume reflects on motherhood. She believes our children don’t just grow under our care; they also raise us.
“My deepest healing has come from parenting. Kids are honest mirrors; they show you who you really are.”
After 20+ years in corporate, Covid forced a moment of reckoning. Mpume chose courage over comfort, walked away from Unilever, and leaned into entrepreneurship, coaching, and alternative education.
“Freedom is my first value. I can’t thrive in spaces that ask me not to be myself.”
“Life is beautiful. Reach deeper into it and remain curious.” — Mpume Zwane Langa
Peter Stuyvesant’s Travel-Driven Cigarette Campaigns (1980s–90s)— Mpume remembers these cigarette ads vividly—not for the product, but for how they made her feel. Their audio journeys across exotic landscapes planted seeds of escapism and exploration that still shape her today.
Mpume Zwane Langa’s story is one of radical honesty, reinvention, and freedom. She reminds us that we can live many lives, as long as we have the courage to break free from what no longer fits. Her journey is a roadmap for anyone looking to live authentically, parent consciously, and lead with conviction.
Who is Mpume Zwane Langa?
Mpume is a Durban-born leader, transformation strategist, former Unilever finance director, TEDx speaker, homeschool advocate, and multi-business entrepreneur. Her story reflects resilience, reinvention, and an unshakable commitment to authenticity.
What is the Incredible Machines Podcast?
The Incredible Machines Podcast is a thought leadership series produced by Tim Africa, featuring conversations with visionary entrepreneurs, leaders, and change-makers from across the continent.
What are the key themes discussed in Episode 24?
Episode 24 explores self-leadership, breaking inherited cycles, redefining education, parenting with intention, branding for empowerment, and embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth.
Where can I listen to the full episode with Mpume Zwane Langa?
You can listen on all major platforms including:
🎧 Spotify
🍎 Apple Podcasts
🌐 Tim Africa Podcast Hub
👣 Relevant Links
LinkedIn: https://za.linkedin.com/in/mpume-zwane-langa-798a2535
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpumezl/