The importance of work-life balance and mental health in 2025

The world of the chartered accountant is one filled with structure, with predictability and patterns. Compare that to the more evolving, growing, unpredictable world of the APIs. What happens when these two worlds meet?

“I have loved every minute so far of working in this exciting new world of APIs. Although I must admit, I did have to Google the terminology before my first interview for the post,” jokes Ayanda Bhengu, a CA who works as finance manager for Chenosis, MTN Group’s API marketplace.

Accounting was not her first career choice when she was at school. She first dreamt of becoming a doctor, but soon fell in love with predictability and the structures of accountancy and the control that numbers and spreadsheets give you.

“In my working life, I have experienced my fair share of challenges that have taught me the importance of being resilient, which is very useful for me in the work I do now. Resilience means you move and grow with the entity and with whatever life throws at you. I have developed grit and determination, which I think are valuable character traits to have in any line of work,” says Bhengu.

She adds this is her first post she’s held in the telecommunications space, but she believes her background has helped her be more than adequately prepared.

“I am also blessed to have a large family to rely on, and my faith is a big part of my life. Having this support structure in life is critical for success, as it helps anchor you and keep you centred. It gives you the ‘why’ you need to keep going, no matter what.”

In 2020, the MTN group extended its digital strategy with the launch of a new pan-African API marketplace called Chenosis, enabling developers and businesses to discover and subscribe to what will become the largest library of open APIs published on the continent. “This space is forward-looking, and the focus is on creating more efficiency and being an enabler business – something that greatly excites me,” says Bhengu.

Amid all the excitement of the API world, she mentions the enormous value she has drawn from her network of mentors and friends. A formalised mentorship programme under the auspices of the CA industry body, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, continues to give her strength and guidance to this day.

“I love the work I do and the people I share a building with, but I am a fervent believer in the importance of looking after one’s mental health. I love reading material that helps me understand my own journey and how it affects my life. I also try to get to the gym as often as I can and consider myself an aspiring padel player. But my place of peace is my 16-month-old baby boy,” Bhengu shares.

“Always be open-minded. When you attend career days, be open-minded to everything that is out there. Think out the box and align with what is of interest to you and what you are good at. And remember to look after yourself and your own well-being.”

Bhengu says her advice to anyone in the working world, or soon to join it, is to remain true to yourself.