At the DaVinci Institute, many doctoral candidates arrive with impressive professional backgrounds that enrich their academic journeys. One such candidate is broadcast veteran Mapaseka Mokwele, who began her career in media before transitioning into coaching and leadership development. Now, she is pursuing a doctorate with a strong focus on Afrocentric approaches, a choice that aligns closely with DaVinci’s ethos.
From Broadcasting to Leadership
Mapaseka Mokwele’s career began in 1996 with the SABC show Your Own Business.
“I started presenting it, got bored, and asked to produce. I ended up producing and presenting. That is when journalism came into my life. I did not wake up and think, I want to be in this industry. I just found myself here; it happened,” she recalls.
Her entry into media was seen earlier by a schoolteacher who encouraged her to pursue communication and journalism. From Voice of Soweto to anchoring the evening bulletin on SABC, reading news on SAFM and Metro FM, and later working on Morning Live and SABC News International, she built a distinguished career in broadcasting.
After completing her master’s degree, she stepped back from the spotlight to explore new directions in coaching and leadership.
Discovering Coaching as a Calling
Coaching came naturally. Listeners and colleagues often sought her advice after shows.
“I started coaching informally without even realising it. Thabo Mokwele [her husband] actually pointed it out and said, ‘Do you realise you are coaching?’ Once I connected the dots, I decided to formalise it,” she says.
This led her to a master’s in management with a focus on coaching, spanning leadership, business, relationships, and life coaching.
“I love it, even though it can be draining because people bring more problems than celebrations. But I enjoy the process, especially seeing results,” she explains.
Why DaVinci?
When it came time to pursue doctoral studies, Mapaseka was drawn to DaVinci Institute.
“DaVinci appealed to me because of its Afrocentric focus. That is exactly where I want to take my coaching. I also loved their approach: it is about your unique experience and lens, not a one-size-fits-all model,” she says.
Her husband introduced her to DaVinci after a friend’s wife completed her master’s at the institute.
“When I explored it, I realised it ticked all the boxes for me. The Doctor of Business Leadership (DBL) route was perfect because of my focus on leadership and coaching,” she indicated.
Academic Aspirations
For Mapaseka Mokwele, the doctorate is not just about her personal growth; it is about shaping the future of African coaching.
“When we coach Africans, we cannot always use Western frameworks. Our success is communal; my success is also my family’s and my community’s success. I want to build a body of work that frames African coaching as valid, valuable, and necessary,” she says.
Women in Academia
“It is exciting. I love facilitating and imparting knowledge, and the doctorate allows me to do that. If I can stand on an international stage and facilitate based on my work, that would be amazing. As a woman, it also means breaking barriers and opening doors for others. I want to show that just because you are an African or a woman does not mean you cannot succeed in academia,” she says.
Advice for South African Graduates
Mapaseka urges graduates to shift their mindsets. “Too many graduates are waiting for jobs that do not exist. Entrepreneurship must be encouraged; people need to see that they can be their own bosses.
“At the same time, I prefer to work in bite-sized pieces: helping one person, who then helps another. That is how real change builds up without overwhelming pressure,” she says.
Mapaseka Mokwele’s journey from broadcasting to coaching to doctoral research reflects the spirit of DaVinci’s academic community: drawing on diverse professional experiences, valuing Afrocentric knowledge systems, and shaping leadership that is authentic, inclusive, and future-focused.
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