The Dinner That Changed Everything With Bupe M’Paruri

In this episode of the Diary 101 Podcast, Akakandelwa Kandepwe sits down with Bupe, a finance and investment professional, for a conversation about education, ambition, and navigating growth in unfamiliar spaces. Bupe reflects on how attending Trident College and later studying at the University of Cape Town shaped her perspective on learning, exposure, and discipline beyond academics. Together, they unpack the realities of transitioning between education systems, building a career in finance and private equity, and learning to create opportunities through internships, volunteering, and intentional networking. Akakandelwa also reflects on her own journey with burnout, transitions, and balancing ambition with rest, while Bupe shares the importance of managing energy, staying curious, and allowing your work to speak for itself. At its core, this episode is about becoming through exposure — a reminder that growth often begins when you step outside what is familiar.