Building what lasts

At our Women's Month Breakfast, I had the privilege of speaking with Lindi Moabi, Co-founder and Director of Selekane Asset Consultants, and Kim Rassou, Head of Discretionary Fund Management at Symmetry. While their personal journeys were very different, our conversation explored themes that are highly relevant to our industry: leadership, capital allocation, long-term thinking and the responsibility that comes with managing other people's money.

One message stood out throughout the discussion: your starting point does not determine your destination. Whether building a career, a business, a retirement portfolio or a leadership legacy, meaningful outcomes are rarely achieved overnight. They are built deliberately over time.

BUILDING CAREERS

When we look at successful leaders, it is easy to focus on where they are today rather than the journeys that brought them there.

For Kim, that journey began in Athlone on the Cape Flats. As she reflected on her childhood, she spoke about learning early that opportunity and access are not always the same thing. Although she performed well academically and was presented with opportunities, circumstances meant that she was not always able to pursue them. Not allowing setbacks to deter her, she continued to seek out better opportunities which often required significant sacrifice, including long daily commutes and part-time work to fund transport costs. She had to draw on that same tenacity as an adult; pursuing further education while building a career required long hours.

Kim never set out to work in investment management; an industry that many of us had no exposure to while growing up. That is why we are so passionate about bringing in high school learners into the room. By giving these young women a better understanding of the opportunities available to them, we hope they can make more informed and intentional decisions about their future careers.

Lindi's journey demonstrates a different kind of courage. After years of experience in the industry, she co-founded Selekane Asset Consultants in 2006 during a period when trust in parts of the financial services sector had been significantly challenged. Rather than seeing uncertainty as a reason not to act, she saw an opportunity to build an independent advisory business focused on objectivity, long-term sustainability and client trust. Over the past twenty years, she had to overcome tough moments that tested her resolve as an entrepreneur. In the early days, the responsibility of ensuring staff were paid often came at the expense of her family’s livelihood.

“When you embark on the journey and you take this risk, it's your family that walks this journey with you and they take the pain with you.”
– Lindi Moabi

Both stories reminded us that enduring careers are rarely linear. They are built through choices, setbacks, perseverance and a willingness to step into situations where success is far from guaranteed. Whether building a business or building expertise, both women described periods where short-term comfort had to be traded for long-term goals.

BUILDING LONG-TERM OUTCOMES

While the discussion touched on personal journeys, much of our conversation focused on the work both women do every day. One of the privileges of working in investment management is that we play a role in helping individuals and institutions achieve long-term financial goals. Equally, it is one of our greatest responsibilities.

For Lindi, building an advisory business is about influencing how capital is allocated and helping institutional investors make decisions that ultimately affect retirement outcomes for thousands of South Africans. Her reflections on South Africa's retirement industry highlighted both progress and challenges. We have a sophisticated financial system and a wide range of investment products, yet many investors still fail to achieve the retirement outcomes they require. Lindi emphasised the importance of preservation, member education and helping investors understand the consequences of accessing retirement savings too early. Retirement outcomes are built over decades, and seemingly small decisions made throughout an investor's working life can have a meaningful impact on long-term financial security.

From a portfolio construction perspective, Kim highlighted the realities facing investors today. Geopolitical tensions, concentrated markets, rapid technological change and persistent volatility can make it tempting to focus on short-term outcomes. Diversifying portfolios not only across managers and styles but also incorporating additional building blocks such as hedge funds can protect capital during periods of market stress. Equally important is ensuring investors remain positioned to participate in long-term growth opportunities when markets recover.

Both perspectives reinforced an important point: behind every portfolio, retirement fund and investment mandate are real people whose futures depend on sound decision-making.

BUILDING TRUST IN THIS CHANGING WORLD

As our discussion turned to artificial intelligence, we recognise the opportunities it presents; particularly in improving efficiency across research, reporting and the analysis of large volumes of information. Both our panellists were, however, clear that efficiency does not replace accountability. Investment professionals still need to interrogate assumptions, understand client circumstances, assess risk and apply judgement. AI may help us process information faster, but accountability and long-term stewardship remain firmly human responsibilities. These are the foundations on which lasting client relationships and sustainable investment outcomes are built.

BUILDING FUTURE LEADERS

Early in my own career, I often associated leadership with seniority, authority and title. Over time, however, I have come to appreciate that leadership is less about position and more about influence: the ability to inspire, guide and bring others along on the journey. Both panellists offered perspectives that reinforced this view.

Lindi described leadership as an evolving process that requires continuous learning. As industries change and new generations enter the workforce, leaders must remain open to different perspectives and willing to challenge their own assumptions. For her, leadership is ultimately about building learning organisations where people can grow and contribute.

Kim shared a similarly people-centred view of leadership:

“Leadership is allowing the opportunity for people to bring out their best and create an environment to challenge each other for growth.”
– Kim Rassou

Both panellists described leadership as something larger than individual achievement. Whether building a learning organisation, creating opportunities for younger professionals or helping others develop their potential, leadership was consistently framed as the responsibility to leave people stronger than you found them.

LOOKING AHEAD

One of the themes that surfaced repeatedly during our conversation was the idea that we build on foundations laid by those who came before us.

“There are women before us who have sacrificed so much to create this space.”
– Lindi Moabi

That observation feels particularly relevant to Women's Month. Many of the opportunities we enjoy today are the result of the vision, resilience and sacrifices of previous generations. Our responsibility is not only to make the most of those opportunities, but to build on them in a way that creates lasting value for those who follow. Moreover, lasting impact is rarely created in a single moment. It is built deliberately, patiently and often in ways that only become visible over time.

May we continue to invest not only in markets and businesses, but also in people, potential and the next generation of women who will shape the future.

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