Mari-Louise Kotzé is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at PKF Octagon in Johannesburg. PKF is one of South Africa's Top 8 auditing firms. She completed her Bachelor of Accounting degree cum laude at the University of Johannesburg, followed by an Honours degree in Chartered Accountancy – also cum laude. After her studies, she was an Academic Trainee at the University of Johannesburg for a year. During her academic article year, she discovered her passion for education, particularly in Financial Management and Strategy. After completing her articles at Deloitte, she passed her board exams on the Honours Roll and qualified as a Chartered Accountant CA(SA) in 2021. She subsequently served in the Office of the CEO at TecEx, where she co-founded and managed a business called Zee – a global import and export platform for Amazon sellers – where she was the Managing Director for three years before the company was sold. She currently leads strategic leadership and digital transformation initiatives at PKF Octagon, where she is also actively involved in the development of trainee accountants. She is a regular speaker at industry conferences and academic institutions on leadership, artificial intelligence, and innovation in professional services. Mari-Louise Kotzé Pat Mahlangu EXECPTIONAL ALUMNI Pat Mahlangu studied at the University of Johannesburg and is a dynamic entrepreneur and brand strategist based in Johannesburg, serving as the founder and CEO of Pat on Brands and Lerato Agency. With a passion for building authentic brands through storytelling and innovation, he has established himself as a thought leader in the creative industry. Recognised amongst Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans in 2023, Mahlangu embodies resilience and vision, drawing on his rural upbringing and insatiable curiosity to challenge norms and inspire change. As a digital creator, he leverages online platforms to amplify brand voices and empower emerging talent, reflecting his commitment to shaping a new generation of impactful brands. 80 College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2025
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjU1NDYx