Dion Shango I Partner and CEO at PWC Africa
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Leading with purpose in a changing world.
In this episode of CEO Night, host Nyimpini shares an intimate conversation with Dion Shango, CEO of PwC Africa. A lifelong PwC professional, Dion became one of the firm’s youngest partners, the first black CEO of its Southern Africa practice, and later leader of the entire African business. Blending personal anecdotes, from high-school rugby captaincy and family road trips to his pride as a husband and father, with practical leadership wisdom, he offers rare insight into authentic, Pan-African leadership at one of the world’s top professional services firms.
The discussion explores key themes: the power of hiring people smarter than you, learning more from failure than success, the art of genuine listening and creating psychological safety, delivering tough messages without destroying relationships, and empowering teams so leaders can truly step away. Dion addresses pressing realities, AI’s disruption of professional services, responsible AI adoption, rapid global change, and energy access as Africa’s biggest growth enabler, while lighter moments reveal his Deep House passion, limited home DIY skills, and family playlist battles.
Sponsored by NedBank, AVIS Chauffeur Drive, and Heineken Beverages, this episode mixes inspiration, vulnerability, and actionable advice. Dion’s closing tough-love message urges professionals to embrace discomfort and persevere through challenges, because true growth (and greatness) lies just beyond the comfort zone. Ideal for aspiring and seasoned leaders seeking real, human-centered insights on leadership in a complex African and global context.
Key Learnings / Insights
- Hire people smarter than you; leadership strength is humility, not being the smartest in the room.
- Failure teaches more than success, resilience and a “never say die” attitude matter more than raw intellect.
- Authentic listening > constant talking; know when to follow, create psychological safety for risk-taking.
- People leave people, not organisations, persevere through difficult relationships for growth.
- AI won’t replace professionals; the one who uses AI better will, upskill aggressively and adopt responsibly.
- True empowerment shows when you step away (e.g. sabbaticals); teams often perform better than expected.
- Energy access is Africa’s critical unlock for sustainable growth, healthcare, education, and opportunity.
- Leadership is a people business, mentoring, presence, and authenticity outweigh technical skill long-term.
-Greatness lives outside your comfort zone, endure pain and uncertainty for the biggest leaps.
-Balance ambition & family is imperfect; be fully present at home (no multitasking with devices).
In this episode of CEO Night, host Nyimpini shares an intimate conversation with Dion Shango, CEO of PwC Africa. A lifelong PwC professional, Dion became one of the firm’s youngest partners, the first black CEO of its Southern Africa practice, and later leader of the entire African business. Blending personal anecdotes, from high-school rugby captaincy and family road trips to his pride as a husband and father, with practical leadership wisdom, he offers rare insight into authentic, Pan-African leadership at one of the world’s top professional services firms.
The discussion explores key themes: the power of hiring people smarter than you, learning more from failure than success, the art of genuine listening and creating psychological safety, delivering tough messages without destroying relationships, and empowering teams so leaders can truly step away. Dion addresses pressing realities, AI’s disruption of professional services, responsible AI adoption, rapid global change, and energy access as Africa’s biggest growth enabler, while lighter moments reveal his Deep House passion, limited home DIY skills, and family playlist battles.
Sponsored by NedBank, AVIS Chauffeur Drive, and Heineken Beverages, this episode mixes inspiration, vulnerability, and actionable advice. Dion’s closing tough-love message urges professionals to embrace discomfort and persevere through challenges, because true growth (and greatness) lies just beyond the comfort zone. Ideal for aspiring and seasoned leaders seeking real, human-centered insights on leadership in a complex African and global context.
Key Learnings / Insights
- Hire people smarter than you; leadership strength is humility, not being the smartest in the room.
- Failure teaches more than success, resilience and a “never say die” attitude matter more than raw intellect.
- Authentic listening > constant talking; know when to follow, create psychological safety for risk-taking.
- People leave people, not organisations, persevere through difficult relationships for growth.
- AI won’t replace professionals; the one who uses AI better will, upskill aggressively and adopt responsibly.
- True empowerment shows when you step away (e.g. sabbaticals); teams often perform better than expected.
- Energy access is Africa’s critical unlock for sustainable growth, healthcare, education, and opportunity.
- Leadership is a people business, mentoring, presence, and authenticity outweigh technical skill long-term.
-Greatness lives outside your comfort zone, endure pain and uncertainty for the biggest leaps.
-Balance ambition & family is imperfect; be fully present at home (no multitasking with devices).
