EMPOWERING
BUSINESS through cultural excellence
Koko Khumalo CA( SA) RA Founder and Chief Executive Officer Motlanalo Chartered Accountants and Auditors Inc.
Leading one of South Africa’ s fastest growing Black woman-owned audit firms, Koko Khumalo( CA) SA RA, talks to SA PROFILE about how Motlanalo Incorporated is contributing to transforming the country’ s business landscape.
“ The audit profession’ s influence extends far beyond financial reporting— it shapes markets, governments and investor trust,” says Koko Khumalo CA( SA) RA, founder and CEO of Motlanalo Chartered Accountants and Auditors Incorporated. Auditors play a pivotal role in South Africa’ s economy, maintaining trust, accountability and transparency in business and governance. For Black womanowned firms like Motlanalo, this role extends to driving economic, social and community transformation.
Transforming the audit landscape Motlanalo is a growing Level 1 B-BBEE contributor‘ challenger firm.’ Its portfolio of business includes delivering complex audits to public sector entities, private and JSE-listed organisations in banking, insurance, investments, properties, retail, mining, telecoms, higher education, pharmaceuticals and transport. It also serves several member-based organisations and non-profits, as well as the public sector through the Auditor-General South Africa. Since 2018, Motlanalo’ s impact has been amplified through its strategic partnership with EY.
“ The confidence shown by our clients’ Audit Committees and Management has been instrumental in our growth,” says Khumalo.
Founded in 2017, Motlanalo set out to transform the audit profession and contribute to a sustainable and well-governed economy. From 12 employees in Polokwane, the firm has grown to over 100 staff across four provinces, serving public and private sector organisations with audit, assurance and risk management services.
“ When we started, I was driven by a belief in the need for an audit firm devoted to cultural and professional excellence and inclusivity for Black professionals,” says Khumalo. Leveraging 20 years of experience and relationships in global Big Four firms and business, she set out to transform the audit profession.
Addressing systemic inequities However, progress in transforming South Africa’ s audit profession has been slow. In 2024, only 18 % of the country’ s 53 000 Chartered Accountants( CA( SA)) are African Black, reflecting ongoing systemic inequities like limited access to resources, mentorship and opportunities.
Motlanalo is instrumental in building a pipeline of qualified Black professionals, of which over 80 % are female. Within its first three years, the firm produced its first Chartered Accountant( CA( SA)). Today, over 40 trainee accountants are completing their articles at the firm.
“ The challenge requires a collective solution. Our profession must reflect society while upholding the highest standards of cultural excellence. It is essential that business and government create greater opportunities for Black professionals,” says Khumalo.“ We have seen firsthand the transformative power of creating space for diverse talent and supporting individuals from all backgrounds to thrive.”
Motlanalo is not just reshaping its future – it is redefining the role of auditing in building a stronger, more inclusive South African economy.“ We remain steadfast in our mission to transform the audit profession,” says Khumalo.“ By increasing access and representation, we aim to drive sustainable business in South Africa and beyond.” www. motlanalo. co. za Tel: + 27 10 448 7793 | Email: info @ motlanalo. co. za | Follow us on LinkedIn
MOTLANALO CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS AND AUDITORS INCORPORATED IS A PROUDLY 100 % BLACK WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS AND LEVEL 1 B-BBEE CONTRIBUTOR.