Journey with me...

Hello there. Molweni bethuna :)

Thank you for clicking on this blog and giving it a chance before even knowing what it is really about. I hope that you come back and ultimately stay.

I titled my first blog post 'Journey with me...' because it is an invitation to embark on a journey with me to build something that has been on my heart for a very long time. Before we get into what you can expect on this platform, let me formally introduce myself...

My name is Zizo Gxowa-Penxa. I am a 33 year old South African woman and I am at a place in my life where I finally feel ready to step into my light and my purpose. I grew up in the Eastern Cape in a village called eCacadu. I was born into a typical black, middle class family. I was raised by extremely disciplined and hard working parents (I think this is where I get my strong work ethic from). I am the youngest and the only girl at home. My older brothers have taught me how to be assertive but have also allowed me to remain soft through their over protective nature. I had a beautiful childhood. The latter part of my high school years were extremely difficult as I navigated bullying, isolation, and in hindsight my first introduction to mental health challenges. I would say that this is when I discovered my inner strength. I spent most of my 20's in the Gauteng Province, first in Johannesburg (I am a proud Witsie) and then Pretoria. I recently moved to the Western Cape with my little family in pursuit of a career pivot (we'll dive into that thoroughly in future posts).

I am a wife to an incredible, kind man and a mother to a beautiful 4 year old girl. My husband is my biggest cheerleader and my daughter teaches me about the love and patience of God daily. I absolutely love people who do not take themselves too seriously and I love reading. Disclaimer : I do not enjoy fiction.

I am an engineer by profession and I hold a masters degree in metallurgical engineering. In the last 6 years I have intentionally pivoted from engineering and technically centered roles to project management. This was not a quick or obvious switch but one that I have intentionally orchestrated over a few years. I thrive in leadership positions and I value collaborative work. I have not always found it easy to balance being a good leader while also being a collaborator or 'easy to work with' as corporate folk would say. It has become easier with experience and a lot of trial and error. It has been my greatest joy to discover my leadership style and to find my voice.

I would classify myself as a high performer. I value excellence and really pride myself in being able to foster environments where people can show up as their best selves. As a high performer, I have :

• Navigated being excellent yet still being overlooked.

• Struggled to integrate my personal and professional life.

• Learned what it means to work your way up.

• Seen how the grace of God can carry you but also favour and propel you in your career.

• Battled depression.

Building a career is a lot more challenging than simply having a job. I've come to realize that, just like in business, success in your career requires the right strategies and systems. What interests me most is finding a way to build a successful career while also taking care of yourself and making time for family and the things that matter most.

This blog is a space for professionals to connect, exchange insights, and grow in their careers—without sacrificing a healthy work-life balance. It's part of a larger platform I’m building: a supportive online community designed to empower, equip, and uplift. My vision is to create a space that, over time, feels like home—a place where we can learn from one another and thrive together. I’m deeply grateful and excited to finally bring to life what I believe is a God-given calling.

This community will be built piece by piece—and this blog is one of those first, foundational pieces. (Say a little prayer for me as I build!)

So, what can you expect?

• Weekly blog posts – We have a standing date every Monday evening.

• Book reviews – From time to time, I’ll share reflections on books that have inspired, challenged, or shaped me.

• Meaningful conversations – You’ll find thought starters, laughter, moments of introspection, and prompts to help you do the inner and outer work of showing up as your best self.

Beyond the blog, I’m building something bigger: The Career Roadmap—a platform designed to provide tools, guidance, and resources not just for professionals, but also for the next generation stepping into their futures. It's all about growth, support, and showing up for one another along the way.

There's a lot and honestly, we'll build the plane as we fly it.

So, again, will you journey with me...?

Lots of love : Zizo