From Accountant to Purposeful Leader: Daniel Nsumba’s Milpark MBA

By the time Daniel completed the SAICA-accredited PGDA/CTA, he felt he had mastered his technical ability. But something deeper was calling.

“I started thinking about how to be a better communicator, a better leader,” he says. “I even considered doing a public speaking course. When I saw the opportunity to pursue the MBA through Milpark, I realised this was my next goal and grabbed it.”

For Daniel, Milpark’s MBA isn’t about prestige – it’s about aligning his career with purpose. “Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy goal,” he reflects, quoting Earl Nightingale. 

Read More: Developing Leaders, Disrupting Africa.

As a full-time audit supervisor, time is Daniel’s most limited resource. But Milpark’s flexible, fully online MBA has made studying possible – and surprisingly manageable.

“Having done the PGDA, I know and trust how Milpark runs a programme. The course is structured so you get a good estimate of what each topic will take, and you can plan accordingly.”

Daniel has a disciplined approach: “For the PGDA, I’d study four hours in the evenings and catch up on weekends if I fell behind. I’ve carried that routine into the MBA.”

Now, in the early stages of the course, he’s already gaining insights beyond accounting. “You hear different perspectives. You debate things like stakeholder versus shareholder views. It’s teaching me to think strategically and more broadly.”

Inspired by Daniel’s story? Read how Ash Moodley (MBA) rose from small-town beginnings to corporate success with Milpark’s support: Ash Moodley’s Story.

Already an Associate General Accountant (AGA(SA)), Daniel believes the MBA will enhance his capacity to collaborate with the board and colleagues at a more senior level. “The MBA pushes you to develop leadership qualities irrespective of your career.”

Ethics is at the core: “Leaders need empathy, communication and emotional intelligence to unite a team,” he says. “The MBA pushes us to think beyond the company. It’s more than a degree – it enables us to become better people at work and home. It transforms how we see the world.”

Daniel’s long-term goals are to use his learning to make a difference in South Africa, the DRC and beyond. “Having an MBA will give me the confidence and the credibility to contribute more meaningfully.”

Read more about human-centred leadership in the MBA programme: Milpark MBA – Developing Leaders for the Digital World.

Daniel’s advice to future students? “Don’t let the fear of how long it will take stand in your way. Time will pass anyway – use it wisely. Aspirations are like planted seeds; they must be watered with patience, nurtured with hard work, and protected from doubt and negativity. Sooner or later, you will realise the fruits of your efforts.”

For aspiring leaders balancing work, study, and life, he believes structure, self-discipline, and support are the answers: “Milpark has played an integral role in helping me get what I want out of life.”

For further insights, connect with Daniel on LinkedIn: Daniel Nsumba.

• Success is intentional – Daniel’s shift from ambition to action laid the foundation for his academic and professional growth.
• Structure makes success possible – Working professionals thrive with planning and flexible online learning.
• Leadership is more than a title – Through Milpark’s MBA, Daniel is developing the empathy, ethics and strategic thinking to lead with impact.

For Daniel, the MBA isn’t just a qualification – it’s a catalyst for purpose-driven leadership.

Are you ready to lead? 

If you’re ready to take the next step in your leadership journey, Milpark’s AMBA-accredited MBA offers a flexible, fully online learning experience designed to equip you with real-world skills, strategic insights, and human-centred leadership principles. Apply today and start your transformation: Milpark Business School