Starting 2026 strong: 3 South Africans who achieved their dreams in 2025

Published on 17th December, 2025 at 12:30 pm

What are your goals for 2026? Three inspiring go-getters share how they turned their resolutions into their reality. If they can do it, so can you!

Reading time: 3.5 minutes

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Why self-doubt and imposter syndrome are a normal part of the journey to achieve your dreams.
• How small, consistent changes can lead to big results.
• Lasting transformation comes from changing who you believe you are (identity) and what you’re capable of.

Last year threw plenty at us, yet right in the middle of it all, everyday South Africans were making their dreams a reality. We spoke to three individuals who achieved personal milestones in 2025 and discovered that: sometimes, when things don’t turn out the way we planned, it’s exactly what we need; upgrading our life can be as simple as upgrading our self-perception; and the biggest obstacle standing between us and our dreams is usually… ourselves. Let their inspiring achievements fuel your own success in 2026.

”My biggest challenges made me a better virologist”

In May 2025, Dr Moepeng Maseko, 36, became one of three people to graduate as a virology specialist in South Africa. “When I was a child, I never dreamt of being a virologist, I always wanted to be a doctor. This was inspired by my brother, who was hospitalised when he was born. He required lifesaving surgery, and he only got it because my mother had medical aid at the time. I just could not understand why this was the only way to save his life. If she didn’t have medical aid, he wouldn’t be alive today.”

Her decision to become a specialist came later in life when, working as a medical doctor, she was struck by how HIV disproportionally affected black women. “I thought: the system is broken, so I must be in the system to make a difference. I wanted to be able to help people; to ensure that you do not need to have money to have access to quality, lifesaving care,” she says.

Moepeng admits the journey has not been easy and has included a lot of humbling and scary moments. “The biggest challenge I encountered during the training was knowing I do not know much, making mistakes, and understanding that my mistakes could have life-altering consequences. And then from there, growing in confidence and realising I must get over those mistakes. In retrospect, it was these moments that have made me a better virologist now,” she adds.

Now that she has ticked this dream off her list, her next dream is to establish a company that makes diagnostic testing more accessible and affordable for all.

“There is something powerful about committing to something that scares you”

Thirty-five-year-old product manager and fitness coach Vusi Dhlamini’s goal for 2025 was a lot more inward focused. It was about becoming better. “I got to a point where I realised I wasn’t living according to my values. I wasn’t showing up as the person I wanted to be, and that had an impact on my confidence, energy and overall quality of life. Making a change became a non-negotiable.”

He decided to commit to running his first half-marathon. On top of that, he also added a Hyrox fitness race to his goals for the year.

‘Becoming better’ was as much mental as it was physical. “I had never done either of them before, and I love a challenge. It stretches you, forces you to grow and reveals what you’re capable of. There is something powerful about committing to something that scares you a little bit; it forces you to level up, both physically and mentally,” he says.

To achieve his goals, he focused on showing up as who he wanted to become. “Think more about identity change than quick wins. Ask yourself, “What type of person do I want to become? Once you’re clear on that, focus on building the habits that help you become that person. Small, consistent actions will beat big, inconsistent bursts every time.’

Thanks to his positive mindset, Vusi was able to successfully complete both goals in 2025.

“Once I locked in, I achieved everything”

Since she was a child, Lelona Myira, 25, was told to follow a traditional career path, get an education and ignore any creative aspirations. But life had other plans! Her side hustle as a make-up artist started at university and has since become a thriving business.

Growing up, she had always dreamed of becoming a chartered accountant (CA) – that was her plan. When she had to take a break from her studies, she started offering her services a make-up artist as a creative outlet and to keep busy. When she returned to her studies, the business was a middling enterprise for a while, and her education helped her to realise the potential her fledgling business had.

“2025 was such an eye-opening year for my business. It has always been the crutch I lean on, but I had never taken it seriously. It was always the back-up plan. I was going to be a CA. But last year I decided to focus on it, and also on my studies, solely. I put so much energy into the dreams and goals that I had – simple things such as getting proper equipment, lighting and making my workspace into a studio.”

Now that Lelona’s business is flourishing, she admits the biggest challenges she encountered were mental, as she struggled with imposter syndrome and a fear of failure.

“Once I locked in, though, I achieved everything. Now, I realise that I have only scratched the surface, and I have even greater goals for 2026!” she concludes.

Ready to make your dreams come true?

Whether your 2026 goals involve fitness, education, travel or diet, your Sanlam Reality benefits are here to support you.

Read more: use this new year financial checklist to stretch your rands further and supercharge your wealth.