We Are the Children of God: Bongiwe Mbunge on Christian Women, Leadership, and Identity
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A Just Business Feature on Just Gospel Radio
Host: Lindi Tshabangu | Guest: Bongiwe Mbunge, Strategy Consultant & Women's Leadership Advocate
In this powerful episode, Bongiwe Mbunge unpacks the intersection of Christian faith, women's leadership, and business excellence—challenging listeners to embrace their God-given identity while navigating boardrooms with grace and authenticity.
Foundation: Identity in Christ
Bongiwe opens with 1 John 3:1: "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God—and that is who we are." This anchors everything: "Worldwide, we are all siblings with a big brother in Jesus."
Born in Cape Town (Gugulethu, then Khayelitsha), Bongiwe has spent nearly 25 years in industry, transitioning from regulatory work to C-suite strategy development. "It's never too late to forge a new direction. Make choices prayerfully with Holy Spirit guidance, do it afraid, then see how faithful the Lord has been."
Motherhood: A Leadership Laboratory
Motherhood deepened Bongiwe's understanding of God's love. Her youngest daughter's bird fascination opened her eyes to creation's beauty—unavailable growing up in townships where trees "invited trouble." "It's made me softer, more gracious, experiencing unconditional love through God's choice. You have a 24-hour audience looking up. By God's grace, He holds us together."
Three Principles for Hard Conversations
Drawing from business consulting and biblical wisdom, Bongiwe shares three principles for accountability conversations:
1. Be Unemotional: "When worked up, delay the conversation. You have clarity when calm."
2. Line Up Facts: "Hard conversations need factual data. This allows dialogue on the state of facts you're presenting."
3. Best Manners Always: "Don't swear, name-call, or use foul language. People remember how you made them feel instead of what you conveyed."
Rooted in Philippians' call to "esteem others better than yourself," these principles build character and trust.
Women in Leadership: The Challenge
Only 29% of women globally hold executive positions; just 10% are CEOs. Bongiwe offers perspective: "There's another side—the pool of women who aspire. If that 10% represents 80% of the aspiring pool, that's different." She challenges: "I cannot be quoted as deprived of a position I don't want. But I can be marginalized for positions I'm fit for and pursue."
Using Queen Esther as exemplar, she highlights how Mordecai's biblical role modeling built the "quantum of self-belief that drives us to show up."
Leading Authentically as Women
"We lead differently. We communicate differently. We bring diversity to boardrooms. If we're not showing up authentically, the entire business case for diversity is lost. We must have self-belief to know we're competent. Once there, don't dilute ourselves to be more of the same."
The Paradox: Power Through Surrender
"We are the girl we think we are. We have the power we know we have. But for that to thrive needs complete surrender to God. He's sovereign, all-wise, keenly interested in our every detail.
"On our knees we are taller than trees. Guard that humility while being confident—knowing all comes from our Maker. We are here on God's prerogative. He has something for each of us to achieve. May He give us restlessness until we're fully aligned. Then we'll effortlessly excel in spaces we thought weren't reserved for us."
Key Message: Christian women must anchor identity in being God's children, lead authentically, master hard conversations with grace, and surrender completely while walking confidently in God-given purpose.
Host: Lindi Tshabangu | Guest: Bongiwe Mbunge, Strategy Consultant & Women's Leadership Advocate
In this powerful episode, Bongiwe Mbunge unpacks the intersection of Christian faith, women's leadership, and business excellence—challenging listeners to embrace their God-given identity while navigating boardrooms with grace and authenticity.
Foundation: Identity in Christ
Bongiwe opens with 1 John 3:1: "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called the children of God—and that is who we are." This anchors everything: "Worldwide, we are all siblings with a big brother in Jesus."
Born in Cape Town (Gugulethu, then Khayelitsha), Bongiwe has spent nearly 25 years in industry, transitioning from regulatory work to C-suite strategy development. "It's never too late to forge a new direction. Make choices prayerfully with Holy Spirit guidance, do it afraid, then see how faithful the Lord has been."
Motherhood: A Leadership Laboratory
Motherhood deepened Bongiwe's understanding of God's love. Her youngest daughter's bird fascination opened her eyes to creation's beauty—unavailable growing up in townships where trees "invited trouble." "It's made me softer, more gracious, experiencing unconditional love through God's choice. You have a 24-hour audience looking up. By God's grace, He holds us together."
Three Principles for Hard Conversations
Drawing from business consulting and biblical wisdom, Bongiwe shares three principles for accountability conversations:
1. Be Unemotional: "When worked up, delay the conversation. You have clarity when calm."
2. Line Up Facts: "Hard conversations need factual data. This allows dialogue on the state of facts you're presenting."
3. Best Manners Always: "Don't swear, name-call, or use foul language. People remember how you made them feel instead of what you conveyed."
Rooted in Philippians' call to "esteem others better than yourself," these principles build character and trust.
Women in Leadership: The Challenge
Only 29% of women globally hold executive positions; just 10% are CEOs. Bongiwe offers perspective: "There's another side—the pool of women who aspire. If that 10% represents 80% of the aspiring pool, that's different." She challenges: "I cannot be quoted as deprived of a position I don't want. But I can be marginalized for positions I'm fit for and pursue."
Using Queen Esther as exemplar, she highlights how Mordecai's biblical role modeling built the "quantum of self-belief that drives us to show up."
Leading Authentically as Women
"We lead differently. We communicate differently. We bring diversity to boardrooms. If we're not showing up authentically, the entire business case for diversity is lost. We must have self-belief to know we're competent. Once there, don't dilute ourselves to be more of the same."
The Paradox: Power Through Surrender
"We are the girl we think we are. We have the power we know we have. But for that to thrive needs complete surrender to God. He's sovereign, all-wise, keenly interested in our every detail.
"On our knees we are taller than trees. Guard that humility while being confident—knowing all comes from our Maker. We are here on God's prerogative. He has something for each of us to achieve. May He give us restlessness until we're fully aligned. Then we'll effortlessly excel in spaces we thought weren't reserved for us."
Key Message: Christian women must anchor identity in being God's children, lead authentically, master hard conversations with grace, and surrender completely while walking confidently in God-given purpose.
