MBA Success Stories: Lando Dlamini University of Sussex Business School

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career to date

I have wide-ranging experience in entrepreneurship, strategy, marketing, project management, corporate social responsibility, social impact and media.

As a single mum of one and a Christ-centred woman, I would like to leave an indelible mark in the world and walk in God's purpose. I demonstrate this through my various ventures that target the socio-economical upliftment of marginalised women.

After amassing more than 10 years’ worth of expertise working for multinational companies such as MTN and FNB, I recently established my professional and business development consultancy firm. I am also learning about the property management and development sector.

What does your current role involve?

I recently quit my job as a marketing, brand, sponsorship and communication head honcho to pursue God's purpose for my life. After climbing the corporate ladder and accumulating such a lot of experience, including an appreciation of the ebb and flow of corporate life, it was time for me to pursue my purpose.

One of the things closest to my heart that I'd like to highlight is my passion for youth and women empowerment, upskilling them with vocational skills in beauty, business entrepreneurship and psychosocial support. The vehicle I use to achieve this mission is my non-profit called the Beauty with Purpose Academy.

Founded in 2019, it was set up in response to the ever-increasing poverty and unemployment rate that plagues our region. As a start-up, I am currently in the process of raising funding to scale up the academy by digitising it so it can offer both on and offline learning experience to vulnerable and marginalised youth and women in our cohorts.

Where and when did you achieve your MBA?

I completed my MBA studies at the University of Sussex Business School in 2020. My cohort are superheroes in that our MBA journey coincided with the start of the Covid pandemic – one of the most difficult scenarios that we are likely to experience in our lifetime. As an international student, it was even scarier because anything could have happened and I was miles away from my family, friends and my support network. Through sheer faith, hard work and coaching – as well as lots of sleepless nights – I was able to obtain a distinction.

Why did you want to study for an MBA and why did you choose to get your qualification at this particular school?

An MBA was a way for me to level up my professional development and career. I'd been working in the social development space and needed to pivot my career to gain more understanding on the commercial side of things. As such, an MBA was the best fit and it allowed me to seamlessly integrate my mission towards social development, women and youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and business.

What is the most interesting thing you learnt from your MBA?

Adaptability and agility. The pandemic had us all on overdrive and we had to learn to adapt and be agile while taking care of our mental health. It taught me about community and embracing our unique diversity and cultures, plus how we are conjoined by the thread of our humanity.

What were some of the challenges you faced when studying for an MBA?

Being separated from my daughter whom I have a strong bond and friendship with. I missed my family and friends as well, but WhatsApp was a lifesaver. On a practical level, adapting my methods of learning also had to change. The MBA required an approach that stretches your intellectual capacity and cognition to greater heights. Although this stretch seemed hard initially, it was the best thing to ever happen to me.

How has the MBA made a difference to your career path and leadership journey?

It's transcended me to heights I never imagined. My MBA experience gave me a mindset of limitless and abundance and a whole new perspective on life, one in which I can take action and conquer my fears. I even went on to study and become a business analyst at a leading African university afterwards – and that's not too common for creatives with a heavily inclined marketing background like me.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about studying for an MBA?

My advice is simple: a motto that's helped me when I second guess myself is the Nike slogan, “Just Do It”, that’s all the advice you need. It will help you reach unimaginable heights in this short life we have.

What are the next steps for you on your career journey? 

I would like to pursue a PhD focused on Women Empowerment through Entrepreneurship for Social and Economic Development, a continuation of my MBA research paper.