Zanele Njapha, The Unlearners
Zanele Njapha, founder and CEO of The UnLearners, has been named 2024’s Santam Women of the Future Rising Star for her innovative approach to driving change. The UnLearners is an enterprise dedicated to guiding organisations in building a culture of learning, unlearning and relearning, making the often-daunting process of change simpler, less scary, and even enjoyable.
Zanele’s inspiration for The UnLearners stems from a lifelong observation of how society frowns upon change. ‘Growing up, I noticed how changing – or changing your mind – is frowned upon,’ she says. ‘When most of us change careers, get divorced, or close a business, we get judged, shamed and ridiculed, even though the purpose of life is to grow, change and develop.’
Zanele identified a deep-seated fear and resistance to change, and set out to transform it. ‘The vision of our business is to create a world where it’s okay to change your mind,’ she says. By offering tailored services such as corporate strategy facilitation, keynote addresses, workshops and specialised coaching, The UnLearners equips individuals and organisations with the tools they need to navigate change effectively.
Since inception, The UnLearners has seen remarkable growth. Zanele and her team have delivered over 200 keynote presentations, and supported the unlearning journeys of more than 100 000 people. The company also reaches more than 1 000 people each week through its newsletter and podcast, and has touched the lives of over 700 children through its foundation.
Alongside working with industry giants like Visa, Discovery and VW, one of Zanele’s most significant achievements was working with Coca-Cola Europe’s finance division in Portugal. ‘It represented the growth the business had achieved,’ she says. The partnership validated her belief in the impact of unlearning, and reaffirmed her commitment to her vision during challenging times.
Zanele’s journey has not been without hurdles, with some clients questioning her competence based on her appearance. She remains undeterred. ‘I’ve learnt that ageism and racism are not unique to me. I can either choose to fight back, or find the opportunities that align with what I have to offer.’
Winning the Santam Rising Star award holds deep significance. ‘It confirms that all those difficult days, when people told me to go back to teaching and I chose to stick by my business, were worth it.’ It also cements her reputation as a trailblazing entrepreneur.
As for the R75 000 prize money, Zanele plans to invest in her team’s education. ‘I dream of giving each team member an allowance to attend a conference, take a course, or pay for coaching that helps them become better in their area of expertise.’ This investment in team development is not just for the benefit of the business, but for the personal growth of each member.
To learn more about Zanele’s company, visit: https://www.theunlearners.com/