Ideas Exchange Article Archive
Managing Company-Community Conflict: UCT GSB Partners with Synergy Global
Company-community tensions are rising – but with practical tools and training, businesses can respond constructively and sustainably.
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UCT GSB Ranks Among the Best for Transforming Leadership Across Africa and Beyond
The UCT Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) has been ranked among the world’s top business schools for both Customised and Open Executive Education in the 2025 Financial Times Executive Education Rankings.
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UCT GSB and TETA launch game-changing skills programme
The University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) in partnership with the Transport SETA (TETA) have launched a new year-long course to equip rising leaders with vital skills and capacity for this sector, which has the potential to unlock much-needed economic growth for South Africa.
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Building first generation founders – what we need to do for our young people
The First-Generation Founder by Raymond Ledwaba (MBA 2013/2014) offers a candid and inspiring look into the entrepreneurial journey of building a business as the first in your family to do so.
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Shaping the Invisible: Why South Africa Needs Intentional Leadership Now
On 22 May 2025, nearly 70 UCT GSB alumni and students gathered in Johannesburg for a thought-provoking event led by Professor Kosheek Sewchurran. The dialogue explored the challenges of cultivating leadership within ethically and ecologically complex environments.
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UCT GSB wins international award for case study on transforming SA schools
The University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) has won a prestigious gold award in the 2025 EFMD Excellence in Practice (EiP) Awards for a case study on the impact of skills development for principals at SA schools.
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Embracing the Future: Why Forward-Looking Executives Must Prioritise Transformational Global Leadership Development
Tech is moving faster than the rules can catch up - reshaping how we work, live and interact with the digital world.
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UCT GSB’s EMBA Ranked Best in Africa and 11th Globally by CEO Magazine
The UCT GSB’s has reaffirmed its position as one of the world’s leading business schools in Africa and 11th globally for its EMBA programme in the 2025 CEO Magazine Global MBA Rankings.
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Development finance: how it works, where it goes, why it’s needed
Development finance addresses the failures or limitations of financial institutions such as commercial and investment banks. It is the invisible glue that connects public and private financing for projects that have social, economic and environmental outcomes.
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Export finance and development finance: How Acre Impact Capital is providing a nexus for convergence
Bringing development finance actors together is key to unlocking sustainable infrastructure growth where it is most vital.
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Trump’s USAID Freeze: A Wake-Up Call for South Africa’s Aid Sector
Kay Lala-Sides, an MPhil Inclusive Innovation graduate and PhD candidate at the UCT Graduate School of Business, examines the impact of Donald Trump’s suspension of USAID funding to South Africa and what it means for local organisations. With donor scrutiny increasing, she highlights the urgent need for stronger governance, strategic fund management, and accountable leadership to ensure aid effectiveness. Can South Africa’s social sector rise to the challenge?
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The Art of Negotiation
The UCT GSB recently hosted its final Alumni Talk of 2024, exploring the surprisingly ubiquitous process of negotiation. With a panel of distinguished alumni — all of whom are seasoned negotiators — the event examined the essential role of negotiation in business, politics, and daily life.
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Five GSB students awarded prestigious CEMS Master in International Management
Five graduates from the UCT GSB have received the prestigious CEMS Master in International Management (MIM) qualification. Four of these graduates attended the global CEMS MIM graduation ceremony in Bergen, Norway, joining 600 peers from 33 leading global business schools. This milestone highlights UCT GSB's contribution to producing globally competent leaders, exemplifying the spirit of collaboration and excellence within the CEMS Alliance.
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GSB MBA Students Win Global Innovation Competition
MBA students from the UCT Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) have secured first place in the prestigious 2024 Geneva Challenge, an international competition spotlighting innovative solutions to global issues. Their project, "Mntase Cares," tackles South Africa's teenage pregnancy crisis with mobile clinics offering healthcare, education, and telehealth support. This achievement underscores the UCT GSB's dedication to fostering impactful, globally recognised solutions for critical challenges.
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New ranking places the University of Cape Town’s MBA #7 in the world
The UCT Graduate School of Business’s MBA has ranked #7 globally and #1 in Africa in the 2024 Corporate Knights Better World MBA ranking. This recognition highlights the UCT GSB’s focus on sustainability, complex problem solving, and navigating uncertainty — a growing priority for employers and prospective students alike. With an emphasis on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the UCT GSB’s MBA prepares future leaders to drive meaningful change in a world where impact-driven business is essential.
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5 Future Power Trends for South Africa and the World
In a recent interview with the Daily Maverick, emeritus professor in the Power Futures Lab at the UCT GSB, Anton Eberhard, outlined a clear and viable path forward for South Africa’s energy transition by highlighting five key trends shaping the future of energy in South Africa and beyond. Between a balanced power supply mix to the burgeoning potential of private investment, the future could look bright of the right decisions are taken at the right time.
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GSB Foundation Launches New Scholarship for Black Women
The Farai Cheryl Shonhiwa (FCS) Scholarship for African Women is a new initiative within the GSB Foundation, celebrating the legacy of Dr Farai Cheryl Shonhiwa. Designed to empower African women, this scholarship provides financial support for the full-time MBA programme at UCT Graduate School of Business. Contributions to the FCS Scholarship will help continue Farai’s vision of fostering leadership and transformative impact across the continent.
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UCT GSB Alumni Reunion Weekend 2024: The Re-Dream Machine
From a personal photograph that Dr Duggan took of a volatile gas tanker on the most dangerous but economically significant road in Africa to some thought-provoking predictions from futurist Anton Musgrave – the 2024 UCT Graduate School of Business Alumni Reunion Weekend delivered a dose of intellectual and emotional stimulation for a group of alumni who reconnected, shared ideas, and raised funds for the next generation of changemakers.
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Learning and Leading: Adele's journey through the PGDip in Management Practice
Adele De Vos-Porthen’s journey with the UCT GSB’s Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice (PGDip MP) is a testament to the power of determination and the value of higher education. Navigating the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process, she turned potential barriers into stepping stones, embracing every learning opportunity with enthusiasm and dedication. Emerging with newfound skills, insights, and confidence, Adele not only reshaped her own personal and professional trajectory but also delivered immediate and tangible benefits to her employer.
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UCT GSB’s EMBA ranked 31st globally for Overall Satisfaction by the Financial Times
The UK’s Financial Times has ranked the UCT GSB's EMBA programme among the best in the world for alumni satisfaction in its 2024 rankings, with over 92% of alumni expressing satisfaction with their degree. This achievement places the GSB's EMBA in the FT's global Top 100 and highlights the School's dedication to delivering world-class education at the very highest levels.
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How the rules that govern our economies can change
Impact investing offers a promising solution to address the world’s social, environmental, and economic challenges. By merging financial returns with measurable positive impacts, it’s reshaping how we think about investment. However, achieving the balance between profitability and true societal impact isn't always easy. This article delves into the complexities of impact investing and how we can rethink the rules to build more sustainable economies.
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UCT GSB Welcomes Prodigy Finance's Blended Finance Programme
Prodigy Finance has launched a groundbreaking Blended Finance programme aimed at providing African students with greater access to international education. This initiative aligns with the UCT Graduate School of Business's mission to empower Africa’s future leaders, offering an innovative financing solution that breaks down financial barriers and fosters diverse, globally minded leadership across the continent.
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Breaking Barriers to Sustainable Finance
From navigating infrastructure challenges to meaningful finance, Bruce Jelley shares his experiences and insights about the MCom in Development Finance at the UCT Graduate School of Business, and how it is reshaping the way South African developers approach sustainability.
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Alumni Reunion Weekend 2023: A celebration of learning, connection, and inspiration
Each year, the ARW is not just about reminiscing but also about reigniting that spark for continuous learning and growth – a golden opportunity to reflect on where you've been, recharge with new knowledge, and reimagine where your career and life can take you next. This event is a cornerstone of the UCT GSB’s proud foundations. A time for alumni to reaffirm their place in a global network of change-makers and leaders.
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Small Holder Farming Value Chains in Africa
To create inclusive value chains that truly benefit smallholder farmers, companies need the willingness to challenge themselves, to develop new capabilities, and to reevaluate how they define value. Senior lecturer at the UCT GSB Annika Surmeier co-authors a thought-provoking piece
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Three lessons for employers from the CEMS The Future-Forward Workforce report
The CEMS Master in International Management programme is a launchpad to an international career. But these careers are evolving as new generations of graduates with new attitudes and ideas are entering the workforce. We take a look at the findings of a recent CEMS workplace research report, and what it means to future leaders and their employers.
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From Botswana to South Korea: Neelo Gopolang's CEMS MIM journey
Neelo Gopolang shares her experience of embarking on the CEMS Master in International Management at the UCT Graduate School of business – from navigating global business challenges through cultural understanding to highlighting the value of learning from successful entrepreneurs and leaders in other countries.
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EMBA24’s immersive journey into the hustle and heart of Nairobi
In April 2024, EMBA24 students embarked on a trip to Nairobi, exploring the vibrant culture, economy, and entrepreneurial spirit of Kenya. From engaging with local businesses to understanding the impact of social enterprises, the experience provided valuable insights into the GSB’s vision of better African leadership.
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The Development Activist
From humble beginnings to pioneering public leadership – Pati Kgomo's journey in development finance started with various positions in local government, progressed to position with the Development Bank of Southern Africa, and was honed by a Master’s in Commerce specialising in Development Finance at the UCT Graduate School of Business. Her remarkable achievements are a testament to the power of altruism, education, and a passion for sustainable development.
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UCT GSB’s EMBA Programme ranks #1 in Africa in QS rankings
The UCT Graduate School of Business is proud to announce that its EMBA programme has achieved the top spot in Africa and the Middle East in the 2024 QS Executive MBA Rankings. This prestigious ranking confirms the GSB’s commitment to providing not just excellence in business education but truly transformative leadership development.
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UCT GSB's Executive MBA programme finalist in prestigious Evidence-Based Leadership Development Award
The UCT GSB’s EMBA programme was one of five finalists for the prestigious Evidence-Based Leadership Development Programme Award by the Academy of Management’s Management Education and Development Division – a testament to the UCT GSB's commitment to excellence in leadership education.
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Supporting impact investment initiatives in Africa
Africa must take charge of its own development agenda, and while impact investors can support it, they must also be supported with a collaborative and research-backed approach from African stakeholders. Here is what is being done in this regard, and how it can benefit all those involved.
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The UCT GSB EMBA: a personal metamorphosis
Satish Antony [EMBA 2022] shares his deeply personal journey of growth and professional development through UCT GSB's Executive MBA programme, highlighting how the programme broadened his horizons, challenged his assumptions, and proved the importance of self-awareness for effective leadership.
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UCT GSB grows Impact Investing education in Africa
Growing impact investing capacity in Africa could unlock the continent’s potential. In 2024, the UCT Graduate School of Business is taking its Impact Investing in Africa course to Kenya for the first time – and working to create uniquely African impact investing solutions to uplift the continent
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UCT GSB ranks as top SA business school for Customised Executive Education
The UCT Graduate School of Business has a long-standing, respected, and sophisticated Executive Education offering, which saw it ranked in the Top 100 globally for the 15th consecutive year in the 2024 Financial Times Executive Education Rankings.
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Cassim Motala: Game Changer
As a student at the UCT Graduate School of Business, Cassim Motala (MBA, Class of 2004) helped to shape not just the structure and delivery but the ethos of the School’s MBA programme. As an alumnus, he continues to push for the programme to be as progressive and relevant as ever
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How to motivate your employer to fund your studies
Company funding is an excellent option for those who wish to further their qualifications but can’t cover all of the costs. So we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to getting your employer to pay for your professional enrichment.
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How I launched an international career with CEMS MiM
UCT Graduate School of Business alum Ntando Mdladla tells us about the School’s award-winning CEMS Master in Management specialising in International Management programme, which is designed to launch ambitious young graduates into international internships at blue-chip multinationals all over the world. The UCT GSB is the only business school in Sub-Saharan Africa to offer this course.
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How an Inclusive MBA in Cape Town inspired Tsitsi Hatendi-Mtika (MBA 2014) to Change the Finance Industry
Tsitsi Hatendi-Matika chose the MBA at the UCT GSB to help her broaden her career horizons in finance. Now it’s helping her change the industry for the better.
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Transforming the role of business in society through values-based leadership
The Allan Gray Centre for Values-Based Leadership explores ‘new ways of doing business based on purpose, sustainability and responsible practices'
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UCT GSB Highlights in 2023
This year has been an exceptional year for the UCT GSB. This article highlights some of the moments that were greatly celebrated.
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UCT GSB's Executive MBA Ranked Top 4 Globally for Diversity
The latest Financial Times Executive MBA rankings have been released and the UCT Graduate School of Business’s EMBA Programme has once again made the Top 100 – the only African business school to appear on the list. Moreover, it is in the top five globally for women’s representation.
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Three scenarios for South Africa’s energy crisis: the good, the bad and the likely
South African businesses can be forgiven for feeling like they’re in a movie where the actors are on strike, the script has been lost, and the director has left the set. What are the good, the bad and the likely scenarios for our country’s dire energy situation? We asked the Power Futures Lab (PFL) at UCT’s Graduate School of Business to offer an expert view on where we might be heading.
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What the UCT GSB Better World Ranking reveals about the changing role of the MBA
The UCT Graduate School of Business is firmly guided by its values, which recently resulted in a Top 40 position in the prestigious Corporate Knights Better World MBA ranking – making it a world leader in principled and impactful education
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REFLECTIONS ON ARW 2023: 20-22 October
“The highlight for me at the reunion was being back in a lecture theatre with some of my classmates. Nostalgia for 2010 - definitely - but also great to learn new things.” Kate Wardle (MBA 2010) reports back on the ARW.
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2023 GSB THREE PEAKS CHALLENGE
On Sunday, 22 October, the traditional Three Peaks Challenge took place with long-time champion Alumni, Peter Major (MBA1984) taking part, each year, since his time as a student at the GSB.
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The UCT GSB Case Writing Centre pioneers open-source, multimedia cases alongside its traditional collection
In its sixth year of creating excellent cases for the business school classroom, the Case Writing Centre has now spread its wings to add an innovative approach to cases. By Claire Barnado
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Stemming the Talent Exodus and Securing SA's Future Pipeline
Excerpt from "Stemming the Talent Exodus and Securing SA's Future Pipeline" event and key take-aways from the UCT GSB Alumni Department.
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Learning Agility in Knowledge Workers: Leveraging Adaptability to Reach Success
This article explores what agility means and the critical role it plays in driving the success of knowledge workers
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Future-Proofing Your Skills: Adapting for Tomorrow's Challenges Today
In honour of Women's Day, the UCT GSB hosted a panel discussion on campus the UCT GSB hosted a panel discussion, on campus, featuring alumni and guests to discuss how best to future-proof your skills.
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Farayi Kambarani at the UCT GSB ARW2023
Farayi Kambarami is a Supply Chain Planning, Data and Analytics professional with over 25 years of experience in various roles within these fields.
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The Inuagural Africa Impact Summit 13-14 July 2023
The inuagural Africa Impact Summit, hosted by the GSB Bertha Centre, took place on 13-14 July 2023 in Cape Town. Speakers included GSB Dean Dr Catherine Duggan, Richard Perez of the d-school Afrika and Director of the Bertha Centre Solange Rosa.
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The UCT GSB Alumni Chapter Lead for Zimbabwe - Simba Mswaka
Having grown up in Zimbabwe and Botswana, before studying my two degrees in South Africa, I know how important it is to work across cultures.
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Lighting the way
I worked in senior project roles at Eskom for over a decade and during this time, I was nominated to represent Eskom in the Association of Municipal Electricity Utility – Women in Electricity and joined the AMEU executive council.
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Systems thinking and design thinking for business leaders.
On 18 May, GSB Alumni Relations hosted a discussion with Richard Perez, UCT GSB EMBA Alum and founding director of the d-school Afrika, and Sean Lewis, Guest Lecturer on the Executive MBA program and EMBA Alum at the UCT GSB were in discussion about systems thinking and Design-led thinking approaches to tackle challenges leaders face today.
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Thapelo Tsheole
Thapelo Tsheole (MBA PT 2013/14), the CEO of the Botswana Stock Exchange shares his key takeaways from the UCT GSB MBA programme and offers his advice to recent graduates.
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Top 10 Women In Graduate Management Education
UCT GSB Director, Dr Catherine Duggan, was named one of the Top 10 most influential women in graduate management education by BlueSky Thinking – a think tank committed to the expertise and research of business school and university faculty from across the world, as well as influential management thinkers and business practitioners.
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Interview with Thapelo Tsheole – CEO, Botswana Stock Exchange
Thapelo Tsheole (Modular MBA 2013/14), the CEO of the Botswana Stock Exchange, recently took time out of his attendance at the African Mining Indaba to address our current Modular MBA class about Botswana's economy.
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UCT GSB conference to share insights on how to do business in Africa
The Africa Business Club at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) will present its 2nd Annual Africa Business Conference at the school’s Waterfront campus at Lecture Theatre 5 on 7 December 2022.
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UCT GSB Entrepreneurship Conference positions Africa for global economic power shift
The University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business’ (UCT GSB) Entrepreneurship Club will host its 12th Annual Entrepreneurship Conference on 17 November 2022, and its theme – Africa’s Place in the New Economic World Order: Building for a Billion – is in keeping with the growing consensus that emerging markets are on course to grow faster than established markets over the coming years and decades.
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Working at the d-school Afrika
The Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika recently opened its striking new building on the University of Cape Town’s middle campus after being at the GSB since 2016. The d.confestival, the first of its kind in Africa, was hosted in October 2022 and, as four of our alumni now work for d-school, we encourage you to read more about this innovative school.
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GSB adjunct faculty win book award
The Systems Work of Social Change, by social innovation researcher, writer and lecturer Cynthia Rayner and #SchwabFound Director Dr. François Bonnici, both adjunct faculty at the GSB, has been recognised by the Terry McAdam Book Award #TMAaward for “Changing the Way we Think” at the Alliance for Nonprofit Management conference #ANMConference2022.
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Solution Space e-Track programme update
Founded in 2014, the Solution Space at the UCT GSB is an ecosystem for high-impact early-stage start-ups and a research and development platform for corporates. Join us tomorrow, Friday 11 November for the second phase of the e-Track programme where entrepreneurs pitch their ventures for investment, development and collaboration.
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A new model of collective business leadership and a shift to generational strategic thinking are essential to avert environmental catastrophe
New CEMS report sets out recommendations for globally responsible business leaders, educators and young professionals
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Professor Nicholas Biekpe inducted into prestigious UCT College of Fellows
Induction into the UCT College of Fellows is one of the highest accolades an academic staff member can receive. The fellowship is a reward to academic staff members for their years of commitment and dedication to their work.
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UCT GSB’s Executive MBA ranked among top 20 in the world for student satisfaction
Newest Financial Times ranking shows the Executive MBA at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) among the best of the best in alumni satisfaction and prior work experience, making it once again the only African programme to earn a spot on the prestigious list.
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Connecting the dots
As the Principal Lead Planning for Technology Minerals Australia Operations at Australian international resources company BHP, Koziba Kombani's job involves strategy execution, five-year planning, and portfolio performance. Born and raised in Botswana, she completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Bath, UK, before completing her MBA at UCT GSB. Currently based in Perth, Australia, she shares some thoughts on how to achieve the maximum ROI for your career.
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Building businesses in uncertainty
Resilience is a key leadership trait required when launching a new business. We interviewed Tariq Sheikh (MBA FT 2014) who harnessed his learnings to launch Postpay, a leading Buy Now Pay Later business in the Middle East.
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The Raymond Ackerman Academy goes national
Innovative programme aimed to empower young people by developing their entrepreneurial mindsets moves from face-to-face lessons to an online programme.
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Don’t let finances get in the way of your MBA dream
Attending business school can be an expensive and time-consuming undertaking, so you need to make sure it’s aligned with your purpose and your purse. Two recent UCT GSB graduates tell us how scholarship funding helped them.
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How students can take charge of their own development through the Career Leadership Centre
UCT GSB students are empowered to navigate their own career advancement with first-class career development tools and direct contact with influential industry players and corporates keen to recruit from their ranks
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Helping African leaders stand out and stand tall
When Kurt De Bique went to university 20 years ago, he thought he wanted to be a lawyer. But a powerful interest in people and what drives them led to a career switch to HR, which has seen him make a major contribution in the boardroom – rather than courtroom.
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Sustainability as a key business driver
Qasim Abrahams is the first appointed Vice President of colour and the youngest person globally in his current role as VP & MD of SSA at at Ecolab. He says that when you look at the statistics, 70% of multinationals in Africa fail and so establishing trust and proving you are a credible leader is even more critical on this continent.
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The UCT GSB put me on the career trajectory I’d been aspiring to
As Chief Research Officer for the Global Impact Investing Network, Dean Hand serves on the senior management team of a globally recognised and respected champion of impact investment, and is actively finding ways to steer more capital to life-changing projects around the globe.
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UCT team wins Oxford Map the System competition
Following their win at the regional final hosted by the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB), Finclusive was awarded first place for their project at the University of Oxford’s (UO) Map the System (MTS) competition, which took place from 17 to 20 June.
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UCT Graduate School of Business ranked in the top 50 globally by the FT
Latest ranking of customised programmes from the Financial Times shows the University Cape Town Graduate School of Business is leading in Africa.
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Be intentional in your career choices
Qasim Abrahams credits the networks and experience gained as a result of completing his MBA at the UCT GSB, with his career journey to his current role. Here he shares advice for recent graduates, explaining that it all starts with a plan, consistency, and the knowledge that failure is an important part of success.
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In search of purpose
With people quitting their jobs in greater numbers than ever, professional executive, team and board coach George Koshy shares from his own journey of ‘purpose finding’– and how he is empowering individuals, teams and organisations to find their purpose.
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Lessons Learnt: Advice for starting your career
Not many people can say they had to choose between completing their MBA and coaching the national female volleyball team, but Sean Lewis' career journey has been anything but linear. From high school teacher to working at Africa's leading premier ICT solutions services provider, and completing his EMBA along the way, Lewis has plenty of advice to share with graduates and career changers.
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UCT GSB Advisory Board Member, Dr Namane Magau, has passed away
It is with great sadness that we mourn the passing of Dr Namane Magau, a long-serving member of the UCT GSB’s Advisory Board, a friend of our School and University and an extraordinary woman and role model whose influence continues to reach across South Africa and around the world.
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Latest FT ranking puts UCT GSB in top 15 globally for growth
Latest ranking of customised programmes from the Financial Times shows the University Cape Town Graduate School of Business is leading in Africa.
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Insights from Zimbabwe on how to link formal and informal economies
Government alone will not be able to bridge the gaping chasm between South Africa’s formal and informal economies. There are innovative intermediaries better suited to the task – but government must play a key enabling role to allow them to do what they do best.
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The war in Ukraine and its broader implications for the international green energy transition
The Russian invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the importance of energy politics in international relations and resulted in calls to accelerate the green transition to reduce fossil fuel dependencies. However, the strategic importance of Ukraine's natural resource wealth, particularly as it relates to Europe's energy- and resource-independence in coming decades, is being overlooked both as a potential contributory factor to the war in Ukraine and in terms of its long-term implications.
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Why inequality persists: How institutions and organizations reproduce inequality
The continued institutional reproduction of inequality is a matter of growing concern in vast parts of the world.
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UCT GSB Solution Space and ayoba launch next e-Track Programme aimed at supporting start-ups across the continent
Applications for the upcoming e-Track programme have just opened. During this three-phase venture acceleration programme participants are exposed to and mentored by seasoned entrepreneurs and professionals who have a wide range of experience working with start-ups.
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Three top tips for acing the GMAT test
There is no shortage of advice on how to prepare for the GMAT exam – the often daunting test that opens the door to the most prestigious MBA programmes around the world – but taking advice from someone who’s cracked it themselves is a good place to start.
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Trust and Governance: why trust is key to economic performance
Trust greatly reduces transaction costs within an economy and society. Just as a functional health care system will produce healthy citizens, trustworthy governing officials help to create trustworthy citizens.
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How the UCT GSB helped me start my own business
For Patra Sumari, one of the biggest advantages of doing the PGDip course at the UCT GSB, was that it gave her the confidence and the final push to set up her own HR company in Tanzania.
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Credible data is key for successful development in Africa
Southern African Region Community Champion of the Global Shapers Community – an initiative of the World Economic Forum (WEF) – and one of the SADC Top 100 young leaders of 2018, Bongiwe Beja-Ntsiko wants to see economic and social prosperity in Africa. But to achieve better developmental outcomes, she believes the barriers to digital transformation on the continent must be overcome.
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How to climb the ladder to the top – and fast
MBA alumna Diane Moalem holds a top job as Group Head of Operations at African tech organisation, ROAM Africa – which operates in six countries with 12 different brands– just eight years after entering the workforce.
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International alumnus remains hopeful for change in South Africa
Despite challenges, South Africa continues to be an innovation hub with the capacity to develop the next generation of change makers. The UCT GSB's MBA programme attracts students from all walks of life that want ‘in’ on this journey.
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Here's why women should consider pursuing an MBA
Whether you’re trying to climb the corporate ladder, make a career change, or create impact in the world, there’s no shortage of compelling reasons to enrol for an MBA. We spoke to six women who have completed the UCT GSB’s MBA programme, about what they gained from the experience.
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UCT GSB partners with 6 other institutions in energy to launch the African School of Regulation (ASR) initiative.
The initiative to create the African School of Regulation (ASR) has been launched via a scientific knowledge partnership agreement among the European University Institute (EUI), the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business (GSB), the Pan African University Institute of Water and Energy Sciences (PAUWES), the Enel Foundation, Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), and the Energy Nexus Network (TENN).
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Addressing the lack of JEDI in the workplace
The South African workplace remains a very complex space. To bring about a change in workplace culture and organisational orientations, we may need to consider new approaches. Recent research from the UCT GSB has highlighted several practices that organisations can implement to help address the lack of justice, equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
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More purpose, more flexibility, more empathy – what’s really driving ‘The Great Resignation’?
The record number of people leaving their jobs in 2021, mainly in the US, has given rise to the term ‘The Great Resignation’ or ‘The Big Quit’. We asked the UCT GSB's Azvir Rampursad and Rayner Canning for their insights into this trend.
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Here’s why black millennial women are leaving your organisation
New research digs into the deep frustration causing many African millennial women to call it a day at the office.
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Three essential provocations for leaders in business and government today
Executive MBA transforms executives and equips them to focus on solving the complex problems of our times by putting them into a better relationship with their lived experience.
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Never mind a wealth tax, South Africa needs a corruption tax on companies that collude in State Capture
Without private sector collusion, South Africa’s numerous corruption scandals would have been near impossible. A corruption tax on private sector companies complicit in corrupt activities should be introduced.
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Top tips to ensure employees can still learn from one another in a hybrid world
Two-thirds of professionals fear that a hybrid workplace will damage their ability to learn from colleagues – global survey
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Poor quality control leaves a bad taste in consumers’ mouths
The recent spate of food quality failures going back to the country’s deadly listeriosis outbreak in 2018 reveals the damaging health consequences and reputational damage that can flow from a single ‘bad batch’.
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It’s all about relationships, brew
According to one report, almost 43% of small businesses in South Africa were forced to shut down in 2020 due to COVID-19. But the story of one Cape Town artisanal coffee roastery offers a ray of hope to those wondering how to survive these troubled times.
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How Toyota’s approach to making cars can aid vaccine production in Africa
As African countries seek to ramp up production of COVID-19 vaccines, they are running into several obstacles including supply chain and quality control issues. Could Lean Thinking, a manufacturing ethos developed in car factories, help local vaccine manufacturers up their game at this critical time?
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SA’s fiscal policy and macro-economic framework hang in the balance as parties jostle for power
The political balance of power is shifting to the poor majority, making pro-poor human capital investment more likely.
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Poetic licence to lead through challenging times
With employees stressed, business leaders worried, and mental health challenges skyrocketing, conventional approaches to preparing leaders for the business world may not be enough. The foundational role of the leader as communicator is more important than ever – and poetry could unlock the deeper self-awareness and connection needed to lead through ambiguity.
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Responding to the demand for sustainability in business
The UCT GSB recently ranked 22nd in the world for its MBA programme out of 147 programmes on the Corporate Knights’ 2021 Better World MBA list of the top 40 global business schools. We spoke to UCT GSB Deputy Director, Dr Kutwlano Ramaboa about how the UCT GSB incorporates sustainability into its programmes.
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MTN CEO shares five secrets to a successful career
Failure, hard work, and belief in yourself and the people around you are the hallmarks of a successful leadership career, says Ralph Mupita, Group President and CEO at African telecommunications giant MTN.
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Servant leadership may be the key to talent retention post COVID
Nike strategy director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Aidan Kearney, believes servant leadership has so much to offer the corporate world, especially now as an increasing number of employees think of leaving their jobs in response to the stresses of the COVID-19 workplace.
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For tech to change Africa’s fortunes, we have to understand our context
Buhle Goslar, an MBA graduate from the UCT GSB, shows how business can use technology to make headway in Africa and turn around the continent’s digital and human fortunes.
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Social change is messy and non-linear – we need approaches that speak to that
The thinking that created many of our deep-rooted social and environmental problems will not get us out of the mess we’re in. If there’s to be any hope of a brighter future for all, we need a new way of thinking about systems change.
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The hidden ‘systems work’ that is changing the world
Imagine a world where former gangsters and informal workers become social leaders and women living with HIV are pioneering healthcare workers. A new generation of social-change leaders are doing just this, showing us a new way to overcome systemic and structural barriers at scale.
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UCT GSB MBA ranks top in Africa on sustainability performance
UCT GSB MBA ranks top in Africa on sustainability performance
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Environment emergency overtakes technological advancement as the most significant challenge to global business
CEMS alumni survey reveals that 43% of professionals now believe that the environmental emergency is the biggest challenge international business leaders will need to tackle in the 21st century, well ahead of technology (27%).
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The role of entrepreneurs engaged in alleviating period poverty
Nishana Bhogal is a PhD candidate at the UCT GSB who has been awarded a Fulbright scholarship to pursue her research work on the role of entrepreneurs engaged in alleviating period poverty. We spoke to her about her research and what she plans to achieve while she is in the USA.
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Youth unemployment must be looked at holistically
COVID-19 has worsened unemployment amongst South Africa’s young adults. Fixing this endemic problem won’t be easy, but a ‘systems thinking’ lens could at least point to the best places to start.
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Crisis ushers in new type of leadership – this time it must stick
The COVID-19 pandemic has tested leadership in ways that few crises have. How do we learn from it, adapt and evolve as leaders?
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Activists in the Boardroom holistic governance in an age of corporate malfeasance
Given the recent spate of corporate misconduct (think Steinhoff, EOH, the Guptas and various State-Owned Entities), more Boardroom activism is required to ensure accountability and prevent future scandals. Board directors should start by cultivating higher levels of self-awareness.
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Applied with lots of elbow grease, the MBA continues to open doors
Joy-Mare de Wet was a qualified geneticist working in sales at a pharma company when she started her MBA at the UCT Graduate School of Business. There she found a new passion for the tech industry and has since landed her dream job at LinkedIn. De Wet shares her top five tips for what it takes, as an MBA graduate, to manage such a pivot.
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How to build a thumb-stopping professional brand, without attending a single networking event, or cocktail party
LinkedIn, like many other social media platforms, experienced a boom over the pandemic. But it remains the ultimate platform for creating a professional brand that gets you noticed and hired, both locally and internationally.
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New book offers blueprint for systems change in a deeply divided world
As the world battles to shake off COVID-19, it appears increasingly stuck; inequality has widened, climate breakdown is accelerating, and many are suggesting that we may have missed the opportunities presented by the pandemic to build a more just and inclusive system. But a new book out this month shows us that a way forward is right under our noses – it just happens to be invisible to most people.
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Breaking point for South Africa’s youth
COVID-19 has exacerbated the pressures on the mental health of young people; we have to intervene now if we are to avert a national disaster.
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Five tips for business leaders in the COVID-accelerated knowledge economy
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a business environment that demands a different kind of leader to ensure organisations are able to adapt and thrive.
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Overconfidence: the mother of all biases
People say confidence is key; but overconfidence is a serious risk in decision-making. This is especially pertinent for business leaders with a lot on the line. If they fail to question their beliefs with sufficient rigour, things could end in disaster.
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The promises and perils of Africa's digital revolution
Exponential digital advancement across Africa, spurred on by the COVID-19 crisis, is indeed a game changer. But its impact – the good and the bad – requires a more nuanced and intelligent analysis if we really are to build back better.
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How local retailers can reap the most from the e-commerce boom
When COVID-19 hit, many South African companies without an online presence were not equipped to deal with the closing of retail stores. Those now scrambling to catch up will need to put customers at the heart of their e-commerce strategy.
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Cyber security: a critical risk that’s only set to get worse
The Transnet cyber-attack should sound a warning bell to vulnerable State Owned Enterprises and private sector firms that have been slow to beef up their cyber security systems. The alarming rise in ransomware attacks means many are only one click away from disaster.
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Assets to leverage for post-lockdown tourism
As the wheels of South Africa’s tourism industry start turning again, it should leverage the free assets that are in short supply in many of its source markets.
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SA’s new finance minister must emphasise green transition
Godongwana needs to take bold, visionary action to transition South Africa’s economy from gold to green. The same-old policy approaches will only continue to yield disappointment for the workforce.
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Caution in the face of promise: South Africa’s new green frontier
Amid the hype of cannabis deregulation, one South African company has methodically planned its entry into the commercial space of this so-called wonder plant. Their cautious approach should be heeded by others rushing to get into the market.
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Can empathy help drive economic growth and transformation?
The UCT GSB's annual Women in Business conference will look at ways in which human connection and experience can strengthen businesses and help to grow the economy in a transformative way.
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Remote work: the unlevel playing field
The stigma associated with flexible work has been turned on its head by COVID-19, with remote work becoming the norm rather than the exception in many organisations. But there are downsides to working from home, particularly for parents, and research shows that women are disproportionately affected.
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Women prepare for their time to shine
Since the start of the pandemic, business schools have reported an “explosion” in applications from women. With the predicted shift to a global ‘feeling economy’ now underway, are women preparing to take centre stage in the world of business?
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Four sure ways to promote diversity at top levels
Researchers from the UCT Graduate School of Business asked black South African men and women what needs to change in the workplace to encourage them to apply for top jobs, here’s what they said.
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Annual Alumni Reunion Weekend to delve into how leaders are responding to global challenges with a multidisciplined approach
Join the UCT GSB 2021 Alumni Reunion Weekend in October to hear expert speakers discuss how to remain relevant while navigating uncertainty under the theme Knowledge Across Disciplines.
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MBA alumnus puts lockdown to good use
Steven van Rheede was part of the 2020 MBA class that, three months into the programme, quickly had to shift their studies online; it bore some unforeseen benefits, he says.
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Combining passion with purpose to improve science education for all
Bathabile Mpofu is passionate about empowering young people to become scientists, and with her business, Nkazimulo Applied Sciences, she aims to demonstrate to high school learners the beauty of science in an exciting, hands-on way.
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Powering the continent’s growth through collaboration with entrepreneurs across Africa
EMBA alumnus Christophe Viarnaud is a man on a mission. The French national has made South Africa not only his home, but a country in which his passion for entrepreneurship and education has launched the ventures of scores of bright start-ups across the continent.
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The lack of economic complexity is South Africa’s real economic problem
South Africa needs to build a resilient and productive economy that fosters rapid learning, adaptation to new conditions, technological innovation, and the expansion of goods and services to an ever-widening group of products. And this can only happen with the assistance of the state rather than despite it.
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Can we risk our society’s future on a system that produces the leadership we experience?
The events of the past two weeks have brought into sharp focus the devastating results of selecting leaders based on popularity over other criteria. To avoid shipwrecking our country, it’s time to design a better system of stewarding our collective needs.
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UCT GSB partners with CNBC Africa for Future of Education Summit
The school is a key sponsor in this virtual summit which kicks off at 10h00 (CAT) on 29 July, under the theme, ‘Redefining the future of education’.
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Is the business community making environmental sustainability a priority in the wake of the pandemic?
National Environmental Awareness month is celebrated in June. We asked UCT GSB Prof Ralph Hamann to share his views on the role of business schools in addressing climate change, and whether COVID-19 has caused the business world to reprioritise environmental sustainability.
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UCT’s Executive MBA programme is still number one in Africa
The QS 2021 Global EMBA Rankings have ranked the UCT Graduate School of Business’ EMBA programme number one in Africa and 51st in the world. This unique degree transforms executives by putting them into a better relationship with their lived experience to focus solving the complex problems of our times.
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COVID-19 has shattered global networking as we once knew it
The pandemic has created an imperative for a new mode of networking, 90% of global professionals believe the pandemic has damaged their opportunities for networking, reveals a new survey by the CEMS Global Alliance in Management Education.
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Why AfCFTA will not put Africa at odds with China
While many worry the newly-launched African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) may harm Africa-China relations, more attention should be given to improving ease of doing business for local and Chinese businesses alike.
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We need leaders and managers who have the skills and moral compass to build a just world
We need leaders and managers who have the skills and moral compass to build a just world
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How to ensure the success of the hybrid working model
After more than a year of remote working, many organisations recognise its benefits, but are also conscious of its challenges. What can organisations do to ensure the hybrid working model is a success?
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Solving South Africa's problems from the inside out
To change the world, social innovators have to first change themselves, argue academics from the UCT GSB
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Pandemic exposes fault lines in South Africa’s strained wine sector
The COVID-19 pandemic has irrevocably altered the field of South African wine, surfacing existing fault lines under immense strain. Bold leadership could not be more pressing.
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Ministers are holding up energy reforms, keeping SA in the dark
A trillian rand needs to be invested in new power in South Africa over the next decade in order to restore energy security. Opening up the electricity sector to massive flows of private investment in generation capacity is now our only option, but key enabling reforms still have to be enacted.
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Q&A with Siphosethu Komani on the future of startups in Africa
The UCT GSB's Solution Space recently entered phase two of their annual E-Track Programme, in partnership with Ayoba. We spoke to Siphosethu Komani, about how the programme prepares its cohorts to be agile in the face of future shocks.
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Only together can sparks of impact investing in Africa light the way forward
From Addis Ababa to Accra, Lagos to Lusaka, ground-breaking examples of impact investments are flourishing. The steady growth in this asset class, however, belies a fragmented playing-field.
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Healthy workplaces are foundational for a healthy society
Business has a critical role to play in fostering diversity and inclusion and building healthier workplaces and societies in the wake of the crisis.
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All eyes on DFIs as Africa looks to economic recovery
DFIs can be the catalysts for a stronger and more inclusive continent, but they need to expand their remit to include a focus on SMEs as a key priority.
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Negotiation should be seen as an opportunity for both sides to win
To avoid a shutdown over wage negotiations, we need to find what both parties value.
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Jagger Library Reading Room: Looking back and looking forward — a personal view
Mary Lister, Librarian at the UCT GSB reflects on the devastating fire that gutted parts of the UCT Library on Upper Campus towards the end of April and explains how people can get involved if they want to help.
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From the Director: hope, leadership and gratitude at the GSB
Members of our GSB community–many of who are graduates of our programmes–played a special role in providing leadership and help to guide the University through one of its most difficult moments.
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Making space for Buddha in the boardroom
A new study shows that by staying true to the founding principles of the Buddhist meditation technique known as mindfulness, business leaders can reimagine not just how they work, but also how to build stronger relationships in the workplace.
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Trust and support key to whether franchises thrive or perish
COVID-19 has decimated SMEs in South Africa, can the lessons of past successes of franchises help them to rebuild?
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COVID-19 has nudged youth development towards 4IR, but gaps remain
The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred organisations working in youth development to find new ways to reach their young audiences through technology, but without the basics in place, many of these solutions are doomed to remain isolated examples of excellence.
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Tractors may not be sexy but they offer a real solution to Africa’s challenges
As COO at Hello Tractor, a novel mobile platform that connects farmers to tractors as well as agricultural equipment, expertise and financial services, MBA alumnus Folu Okunade is working to connect under resourced farmers in emerging economies to the information age.
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UCT GSB graduate is banking on his country’s future
MCom alumnus, Mutemwa Ushewokunze, has returned to Zimbabwe after 20 years abroad, to help take the country’s banking sector to the next tech level.
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Taking the road less travelled is a choice we make
MBA alumna Mouna Akefli is not one to conform. Passionate about building a more diverse, inclusive and connected continent, she is determined to shake things up and her role as marketing manager for Ericsson in West Africa and Morocco is giving her new opportunities to do so.
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SA is running out of time to fix its society and economy
Freedom Day celebrations ring hollow when the vast majority of black people in this country remain economically and socially marginalised. To unlock our future, we must invest in our people — and fast — to build a new culture of innovation, proactiveness, and risk-taking.
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Some old rules still apply in the new world
MBA graduates may feel that they have had to put their careers on hold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has also given them an opportunity to recalibrate and make themselves more relevant to a changing world.
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Is support for democracy in SA waning?
On 27 April each year South Africans celebrate Freedom Day in commemoration of the first democratic elections in 1994. We asked UCT GSB Professor Thomas Koelble to give us his thoughts on whether support for democracy in the country is waning, and how this system is being affected by globalisation.
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Becoming a businessperson is not a straightforward journey for all
Building business skills to improve livelihoods is increasingly being recognised as a mechanism to lift communities out of extreme poverty. But in many survivalist communities, the principles of business can clash with the existing values of the community.
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Rebuilding the SA economy more sustainably — and for greater impact
COVID-19 has devastated the economy, but it has also opened a window of opportunity for businesses to integrate smarter and more sustainable solutions into their day-to-day operations as they rebuild for the long-term.
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It is time we leave the VUCA-world behind
At the risk of drying up the book royalties of hundreds of business authors who have built their careers around it, VUCA is on its way out and a new framework has emerged to replace it.
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Beyond lip service, how do we create more inclusive workplaces?
In South Africa and globally, companies are struggling to put a commitment to diversity and inclusion into practice.
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Why the demise of the traditional corporate training model is good for business
Along with office spaces, long daily commutes and the handshake, the traditional corporate training model may be gone for good. In its place, a more efficient alternative that creates a lasting positive impact in organisations is already emerging.
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Gearing oneself for a post-pandemic world
Do we ever stop needing to constantly reinvent ourselves? Evan Kagan, who completed his MBA at the UCT GSB in 2010, doesn't think so. But by trusting ourselves, working with our passions, learning and connecting with others, and following the latest industry trends, he believes we can all gear ourselves for the post-pandemic world.
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Leading well in the time of a pandemic
Cultivating kindness and empathy could be a leader’s greatest asset in these challenging and unprecedented times.
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COVID-19: Impact investing’s inflection point
As South Africa marks the anniversary of its first lockdown we reflect on our journey toward a post-COVID economic recovery and how the systemic shift toward impact investing and other financial innovation may point the way to lasting change in the country.
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Social justice in South Africa is as much business’ crisis as it is government’s
Busisiwe Mavuso (CEO at Business Leadership SA) was the speaker at the quarterly Allan Gray Speaker Series event, hosted virtually by the UCT GSB in March. We asked Professor Kurt April, who led the discussion, to share some of the key takeouts.
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Vaccine roll-out woes put spotlight back on Africa’s power crisis
As African countries scramble to acquire and roll-out vaccines across the continent, the urgent need for reliable energy supply is once again in the spotlight.
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Are women more likely to be vulnerable consumers?
World Consumer Rights Day is commemorated on 15 March. Since it’s also International Women’s Day in March, we asked the UCT GSB’s Associate Professor Mignon Reyneke, to share some insights into some of the consumer issues associated specifically with women.
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Bold measures necessary to make up for women’s losses during COVID-19
As the world commemorates International Women’s Day on 8 March — this year hashtagged #ChooseToChallenge — countries must take stock of the setbacks working women have suffered over the COVID-19 pandemic, and imagine new ways forward.
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Successful women can have it all - but it doesn’t mean doing it all
MBA alumna Zaheera Soomar believes that women can have it all — a successful professional life and a happy family — but it takes plenty of organisational thinking, managerial expertise and making time to watch the odd reality cooking TV show, of course.
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Championing a made-in-Africa approach
He is passionate about the continent that birthed him, and so Sylvester Taku, who heads up the South African operations of the only smartphone manufacturer in Africa is keen to do his bit to promote development on the continent.
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Mboweni says he has hope, but without critical reforms this is likely to fade fast
Even before the onset of the health crisis, SA’s economy was already hurtling toward disaster. But the move to zero-based budgeting and limiting endless SOE bailouts provide possible silver linings.
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Can business leaders ignite change in a world that is overdue a great reset?
The thinking that has informed business leadership will not see us through the present challenges we face. To remake the world we need to recognise the deficiencies in leadership we experience and change how we train future leaders.
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UCT GSB MBA alumnus, Alforde Charumbira honoured in the AACSB's Influential Leaders challenge
This annual initiative recognises notable graduates from AACSB-accredited business schools around the world, who are using their business education to create lasting impact in their own, unique way.
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Psychological safety in the virtual workplace
What are the main barriers to creating psychological safety in the workplace and how can this be achieved in a virtual environment?
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UCT’s MBA programme flies the flag for Africa in top global ranking
The UCT GSB remains the only school on the continent to make the prestigious Financial Times 2021 ranking of full-time MBA programmes.
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COVID-19 vaccination is the social justice challenge of our time
The first COVID-19 vaccines have arrived in South Africa amid much fanfare — drowning out the voices of those asking why we are paying double for them in the first place and why they are unlikely to help those who need them most.
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The backpack is too heavy: what schoolchildren are carrying into 2021
Many hope that the new year will bring new energy and stability to the education sector, but as the country finds itself still very much in the grip of COVID-19, there is much work that needs to be done to ensure that schools deal with the baggage of 2020.
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Q&A with John Luiz on the future of globalisation
The extraordinary spread of the Covid-19 virus over the past year has highlighted various vulnerabilities associated with globalisation. We asked the UCT GSB's Prof John Luiz for his views on the future of this model.
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Three areas to focus on to boost your post-COVID career prospects
The global pandemic has shaken up our lives and careers, but it has also created new opportunities. To thrive in a post-pandemic world, young leaders and managers will need to embrace operating in the global economy.
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Dr Beverly Shrand chats to Kieno Kammies about a new CEMS report on leadership
A new report released today by the CEMS Global Alliance in Management Education shares insights and recommendations for business leaders, educators and young professionals for 2021 and beyond.
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Pandemic presents a rare opportunity to redefine leadership
New CEMS report sets out priorities for business leaders, educators and young professionals in a Post-COVID World.
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Making teams stronger and more productive in difficult times
Fear is rising in workplaces around the world - both for those working from home and in offices. A recent study shows 63% of South Africans are concerned they may lose their jobs in the next 12 months.
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Is design thinking an endangered species in the future of work?
With the loss of shared spaces due to the pandemic and a shift toward remote working, the practice of design thinking will need to adapt so that we can continue to harness its power to co-create and solve problems.
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UCT GSB accelerator guides entrepreneurs through pandemic
Battered by COVID-19 lockdown, fledgeling entrepreneurs needed all the help they could get in 2020; the Solution Space at the UCT GSB quickly went online to make sure they were not left out in the cold.
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UCT GSB graduate follows up hard-knocks MBA with an actual one
With no previous university qualifications, Alec Mutlane felt out of place at business school when he first got there, but he discovered that his life experiences —including starting and losing a tech start up — made him an ideal MBA candidate.
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A decade of inspiration from business school
Dr Kariema Price first came to the UCT GSB as a seasoned entrepreneur keen only to hone her business savvy; but that first encounter sparked a multitude of new interests and a decade-long association with the school that saw her graduate with a PhD in 2019.
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Power and privilege in the social justice sector
Social justice organisations play a vital role in addressing the many challenges South African citizens face. But what happens when the focus on external inequalities and injustices in society causes the same problems within these organisations to be overlooked? MBA alumni Ella Scheepers and Shamillah Wilson spoke to Kieno Kammies about their work in this sector.
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The future of business, business schools and the economy
UCT GSB Director, Dr Catherine Duggan, shares her thoughts on the future of business education and how to prepare students for an increasingly complex world.
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Building a safety net for young people who drop out of school is everyone’s problem
Low attendance rates and lost school time are signalling a looming skills crisis for the country, as high numbers of young people are likely be lost to the education system and the economy across the next year. To solve this, we need to act together, and we need to do things differently.
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Africa can lead the way in the great reset and its leaders have a key role to play
If Africa is to emerge a better society post-COVID-19, the approach to leadership and the broader environment needs to change.
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How will the lack of face-to-face interaction affect career progression?
Will the lack of face-to-face interaction negatively impact people’s careers? We asked Dr Christina Swart-Opperman, senior lecturer at the UCT GSB's AGVBL, and PhD Candidate Ella Scheepers, to share their insights.
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Why we should trust subtlety over the posturing of a heroic leader
Emotionally intelligent leaders will be crucial in helping us to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis and the fallout from the US election chaos.
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What's your people strategy for 2021?
Remember the days when you shook hands enthusiastically with clients and colleagues just before sitting down together at the meeting table? Sharing pens to scribble down ideas during a brainstorming or team building session?
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Giving initiative a chance to grow
Running a profitable and sustainable business while also making a worthwhile social impact makes things extra tough for social entrepreneurs. These enterprises urgently need more formal support to help them continue doing the good work that they do.
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Turning a tech innovation into a viable business
Why do so many tech startups fail? Shiela Yabo, Programme Manager at the UCT GSB’s Solution Space, recently gave a presentation at the Africa Tech Festival, where she addressed this and other questions around launching a successful tech startup, particularly as a woman.
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Remote work has built — rather than broken — trust among colleagues. Here’s how
The COVID-19 crisis has forced a massive shift towards remote work. What are the implications of this shift for trust in the workplace? Such trust plays a crucial role in how we coordinate, cooperate, reciprocate, and respond to risk and uncertainty.
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If times are hard, try getting to know yourself a bit better
Finding a good coach during difficult times can give you new tools to understand yourself and develop healthier ways to navigate your life and work.
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It’s only small talk - but losing it may cost businesses big time
As lockdowns prevent teams from having their organic face-to-face interactions and ‘water-cooler’ conversations, critical skills are being lost with knock-on effects for productivity and employee wellbeing. Here are four ways managers and leaders can counteract the trend.
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Our world needs empathetic intervention - not heroes
As the world battles big systemic challenges, it’s clear that no single person has the answer. Instead, companies, organisations and individuals need to look at processes informed by many different perspectives to point the way forward.
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No going back: COVID-19 has galvanised business schools to embrace new possibilities in online and hybrid teaching
Amid the global pandemic, business schools everywhere have had to practise what they preach — adapt to changing environments, and imagine a world where, truly, it is no longer ‘business as usual’
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Bertha Centre partners with Build Peace 2020 Conference
Fergus Turner, Programme Manager at the Bertha Centre, spoke to Kieno Kammies about the Build Peace 2020 conference, hosted virtually in partnership with global non-profit, Build Up.
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Calling all young South Africans who want to help build social justice and peace
The Bertha Centre at the UCT Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB), is calling on young South Africans to join a global community of peace makers at Build Peace 2020, a virtual international peace-building conference that gets underway this weekend.
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Big ambitions to drive financial inclusion in Africa
UCT GSB alumna Fadzai Chitiyo-Kunaka has just started a new position with the National Treasury as a short-term consultant for The World Bank — while also coming to grips with motherhood following the birth of her firstborn, a baby daughter, only four months ago.
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Advancing your career in the gig economy
What if lifelong employment never existed? What if the only work available to everyone in every industry was short-term contract work? How would you have approached your career in that world? These are important questions to ask because this is the world we are moving towards.
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Transparency and integrity go a long way, especially in a crisis
It is Kirby Gordon’s job to convince people it is OK to fly again, one many challenges he’s had to tackle in the past few months, which have seen him draw on the skills he gained during his MBA a decade ago.
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UCT the only Financial Times ranked MBA school in Africa
The University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) is the only business school in Africa to feature in the prestigious Financial Times Rankings for its ground-breaking Executive MBA programme.
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Reimagining the future of tourism
Having received a hammer blow from COVID-19, South Africa’ tourism sector needs to find innovative ways to bounce back.
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Leaders are not born or made, they are honed through practice and reflection
In times of crisis, the need for good leadership is paramount, but how can we develop more leaders who are able to meet the moment with wisdom and compassion?
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Scholarship programme to foster a more just, inclusive and sustainable Africa
The Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship aims to support a cohort of new leaders across the African continent with its scholarship programme, commencing in 2021.
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The grass isn’t always greener in the home office
Working from home has been a blessing for some but brought new demands and strains for others — including a rise in mental health issues. Now, as millions of people start to trickle back to more formal workplaces, is an opportune time for employees to take ownership of their happiness at work.
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Thuli Madonsela and Vusi Thembekwayo to join UCT GSB annual Alumni Reunion weekend
In keeping with the times, the UCT Graduate School of Business’ 2020 Alumni Reunion weekend will be hosted online and will explore how connecting the world digitally during the COVID-19 pandemic has affected us as business leaders - and as people.
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How to network and create impact in a virtual world
How can graduates entering the workforce in the midst of a global pandemic, position themselves to make connections and create impact in order to ensure career mobility or enhance their employability?
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Executive Coaching: Creating lasting and meaningful personal development
Craig O’Flaherty, Director of the Centre for Coaching at the UCT Graduate School of Business, spoke to Kieno Kammies about how coaching can help us overcome challenges and barriers, whether they've been created by others or by ourselves.
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2019 Year in review
The 2019 edition focuses on how the UCT GSB continues to grow as a leading business school in Africa through its programmes, faculty, specialised units as well as physical structure.
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2018 Year in Review
The UCT GSB had a tremendous 2018 — so successful, in fact, that it was impossible to include all our achievements into the inaugural edition of the UCT GSB’s annual Year in Review.
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About the UCT GSB Year in Review
The UCT GSB Year in Review publication provides an overview of all the school’s highlights and achievements.
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UCT GSB announces new leadership roles
The UCT GSB has introduced two new roles to bolster the school’s management structures, whilst streamlining its research and academic activities.
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How often should company culture be reviewed and can it be changed?
We asked Prof Rija, Azvir Rampursad and Bradley Nitsckie for their views on how often company culture should be reviewed and whether it's possible to change a culture that has been instilled over an extended period of time.
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International recognition for Bertha Centre (UCT GSB) researchers
The Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship is developing a new teaching case method - incorporating multiple perspectives for the complex issues of our time - which they have been invited to present at the North American Case Research Association (NACRA) 2020 Conference.
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As COVID-19 gets more people working from home, cybercriminals zoom in
The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating digital trends to change our very notions of work and office. This presents both opportunities and threats - particularly when it comes to cybersecurity.
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Will remote working become the norm after COVID-19?
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted almost all industries. The future worker and workspace has evolved considerable and there may be no going back. What should companies be doing to prepare for the new normal? What are the key trends and skills that are going to be in high demand? Accelerate CEO Ryan Ravens spoke to Kieno Kammies.
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UCT GSB partners with Accelerate Cape Town to host Future of Work series
The University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) has teamed up with Accelerate Cape Town to explore pressing questions on the future of work in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Rise. Reset. Reimagine. Recreate.
This year’s Women in Business Conference celebrated women who aren’t just breaking proverbial glass ceilings but are also empowering others in their wake. UCT GSB MBA alumna, Shivani Ghai, shares her experience of the virtual conference.
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Building an agile hospitality industry
As local tourism begins to pick up, the hospitality industry is feeling some relief from the massive blow it sustained during lockdown. Some might even be feeling that things are returning to how we knew them to be. And while we should savour this little bit of hope, the truth is things have changed forever and we must change along with them.
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Funders are not seeing the big picture in South Africa
An award-winning case study on local digital animation filmmaker, Triggerfish, has highlighted the absurdity of lack of access to funding for SMEs operating in the creative space.
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Reimagining the future of tourism post-COVID-19
The UCT GSB’s Solution Space recently hosted a virtual Future of Tourism Bootcamp where participants were given the opportunity to develop innovative solutions to solve challenges amplified by the Covid-19 pandemic within the tourism industry.
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UCT GSB teaching case study on medical technology company, Biotronik, wins top international award
Researchers from the UCT GSB have once again taken top honours in a prestigious international case writing competition, for a new teaching case on the challenges of remaining competitive and profitable without compromising on quality in the SA cardiac device industry.
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UCT GSB’s e-Track programme takes nine local start-ups to the next level
The latest e-Track programme, an initiative of the UCT GSB's Solution Space in partnership with the MTN Group, yields exceptional results as all participating teams progress to next phase.
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Is investing for good reaching its tipping point?
With sustainable investments increasingly outperforming traditional options, millennials - the recipients of the greatest wealth transfer in history — are queuing up to get on board.
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The dearth of mentorship is a major fault line in SA education
UCT GSB PGDip alumnus, Bianca Rousseau, had a few more bumps in the road than most when trying to earn herself a professional qualification; but when she did, she came up with a formula for success that is founded on the principle of mentorship.
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Gender diversity in SA has a long way to go
Award-winning chartered accountant and UCT GSB EMBA alumna, Cheryl-Jane Kujenga is vocal about transformation and gender diversity in the workplace - and why we need more women at the top.
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Building a new global understanding of African business — on African terms
The UCT GSB's new director, Dr Catherine Duggan, has often been asked why she wants to work in Africa — it's a question this award-winning lecturer and former Harvard academic just loves to answer.
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New director wants UCT GSB to ‘seize the opportunity to lead in Africa’
Dr Catherine Duggan, formerly the vice dean for strategy and research at the African Leadership University (ALU) in Rwanda and member of faculty at Harvard Business School, has been appointed as the new director of the UCT GSB.
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UCT GSB's new programme prepares students to lead internationally
Dr Beverly Shrand, spoke with Cape Talk about the UCT GSB's new programme, the CEMS Master of Management specialising in International Management (MIM).
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Yes, there is unity in diversity, and talking about it makes us strong
UCT GSB MBA alumnus, Shivani Ghai, says creating a safe space for talking about difficult topics is an important way to foster unity in a divided world.
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In a world impacted by COVID-19, women leaders can make the difference
The disruption brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic may be seen by some companies as an excuse to dial back on diversity and inclusion - but this would be a mistake as studies show women handle crises better.
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Five top tips for first time managers
Moving into a managerial role can be stressful and many new managers feel overwhelmed and unsure of themselves. But there five simple things they can do to boost their confidence and thrive.
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Women in Business conference set to break new ground in 2020
For the first time in its 21-year history, the UCT GSB's popular annual Women in Business conference, focused on addressing inclusion, access, and equality in the workplace, will take place online.
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What should companies be doing to ensure that they can manage employee well-being?
Research shows that promoting employee well-being and health can help prevent stress and create positive working environments where individuals and organisations can thrive.
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Addressing the urgent need for upskilling due to COVID-19
Rayner Canning, Business Development Director at the UCT GSB, talks to Cape Talk's Kieno Kammies about the need to upskill the workforce post-COVID-19.
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SA needs leaders who are willing to step out of their comfort zones
As the country plunges deeper into an economic and humanitarian crisis fuelled by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will need steward leaders who are accountable and focused on assisting their communities — and each of us can rise to the challenge.
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Values-based leadership in the age of COVID-19
Dr Camaren Peter, associate professor with the Allan Gray Centre for Values-Based Leadership at the UCT Graduate School of Business, speaks about the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic.
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UCT GSB Executive MBA ranked in global top 50 for 2nd year in row
The UCT GSB has sealed its reputation as one of Africa’s top business schools with the news that its Executive MBA has moved up to 45th in the world on the prestigious 2020 QS ranking of Executive MBAs.
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Dr Solange Rosa to lead the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship
New director cites community across boundaries, a fairer world, communal inspired action, access to opportunities, radical collaboration, kindness, social justice, and aligned interests as key to forging a fresh vision for the next decade.
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International quality stamp puts UCT GSB in top 5% of business schools worldwide
The University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) has been reaccredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), one of only 5% of business schools worldwide to achieve this prestigious mark of quality
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Latest updates from UCT
UCT is taking the possible threat of infection in our community extremely seriously. This page will be updated regularly with the latest information relating to COVID-19.
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UCT GSB teaching case study on SA film industry wins top international award
Researchers from the UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) have taken top honours in a prestigious international case writing competition, for their teaching case on the challenges of financing digital entertainment.
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SA’s youth hit hard by COVID-19
A survey conducted with young South Africans has revealed that many have had to borrow money to survive as a result of COVID-19, with a significant number plunged deeper into unemployment.
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The future of management education: what students say
Shivani Ghai, MBA candidate at the UCT GSB, spoke to Jeremy van Wyk about responsible management education and what students want from management education today.
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New coal and nuclear power proposals undermine prospects of a post-Covid-19 economic recovery
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s attachment to ‘clean coal’ and new nuclear as immediate options for a post-Covid-19 economic recovery would be comical if they were not financially ruinous. Their fixation on these non-competitive, non-commercial technologies is now wasting scarce public resources.
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Young people can lead the response to COVID-19
Youth Day reminds us of the role the young people have played in the past to drive change. In a world that is battling the COVID-19 pandemic, their vibrant energy and mobilising ability is needed more than ever — especially on the African continent.
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The role of development finance in rebuilding South Africa’s economy post-COVID-19
The global COVID-19 pandemic has set back developing countries especially, but it also offers an opportunity to rethink their development path.
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Let’s tap into the defiant optimism of our young people this Youth Day
As protests around structural inequality and racism rage across the world, we need to re-ignite efforts to give young people a voice at all levels of society, but especially as leaders.
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The future of work: implications for management education
Does management education need to change to equip graduates for the future of work?
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Embracing the unknown can make you a better leader - Jerome Thomas (EMBA)
COVID-19 is giving leaders everywhere a crash course in living with volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA). Fortunately, says Jerome Thomas, he got a head start with his EMBA at the UCT GSB.
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Helping students bridge the digital divide in the time of COVID-19
Three MBA graduates from the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) are spearheading a campaign by Cape Town Education Technology fundraising start-up Feenix, to raise R6.6 million to get laptops, food vouchers and connectivity to final year and graduate students during COVID-19 — ultimately ensuring these students make it into the South African workforce.
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The reality of emerging market challenges for entrepreneurs
Growbox is the subject of a teaching case study by the UCT GSB's case writing centre. Its focus is on the reality of emerging market challenges for entrepreneurs in Cape Town
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How to get ahead while working from home
Just because you’re working from home these days doesn’t mean your career needs to stagnate. There are many things you can do to stay productive and make the most of these extraordinary times.
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What’s Brewing During Lockdown?
The South African craft beer market could be very different post lockdown.
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From uncertainty to lasting social value
While Covid-19 is wreaking havoc in our economy and our communities, it is simultaneously giving rise to compassion and innovation. Crisis has always been a driver of change, unlocking new ways of doing things, the question is can we sustain these into the future?
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SA company rises to the challenge of business evolution in the time of COVID-19
In 2019, online retailer Yuppiechef, made the unusual decision of opening physical shops; a move from clicks to bricks. This story, captured in a UCT GSB case study published last year, surfaced a business model that is supple in finding solutions and deeply customer-centric
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Will COVID-19 be the catalyst for the most devastating economic crisis of our time?
COVID-19 erupted in a macroeconomic environment that is a rich cocktail of economic contraction and contradiction. History teaches us that if we don’t pay attention to this — we risk underestimating the magnitude of the crisis that we face.
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It's the 80s rewind - but with internet
South Africa needs to seize the opportunities for digitisation which have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, in order to thrive in the new global economy.
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UCT GSB teaching case study surfaces a business model of agility in action
The global pandemic is forcing businesses around the world to change the way they operate. One South African company, Yuppiechef, is demonstrating that the principles of customer centricity and agility are core to successful adaptation.
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Q&A with Dr Solange Rosa on social innovation and its role in building a better world
Dr Solange Rosa, Interim Director of the UCT GSB's Bertha Centre explains why social innovation is thriving amidst this pandemic, and what we can do to ensure that the benefits it is bringing can be sustained in the longer term.
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UCT Graduate School of Business is number one in South Africa
Latest ranking of customised programmes from the Financial Times shows the University Cape Town Graduate School of Business is leading in South Africa.
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Mastering the art of the virtual meeting
Getting the most out of virtual meetings demands more than a mastery of new tech, it’s about creating human connections across the digital ether.
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Alumni webinar series: Five implications of the coronavirus for business leaders
Professor Ralph Hamann hosted a webinar exploring five long-term implications for business leaders due to COVID-19.
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Knowing the difference between managing and leading - Robin Kuriakose (MBA)
Knowing the difference between managing and leading
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Programme to connect future SA leaders to global conversation in a post COVID-19 world
The CEMS global network of 32 existing academic members (leading business schools), 70 corporate partners (multinational companies) and seven social partners (NGOs), is dedicated to educating and preparing future generations of international business leaders, through the top ranked CEMS Master in International Management (MIM).
This one-year Master’s programme, opened registrations on 1 May 2020, for its first intake in South Africa in September 2021, prepares young leaders to contribute to a more open, sustainable and inclusive world.
Webinar: The broader economic implications of COVID-19
Former UCT GSB economist, Barry Standish, hosted a free webinar in April for UCT GSB alumni on the broader financial and economic implications of COVID-19.
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How to master the art of the virtual meeting
Love or loathe them, virtual meetings have become a mainstay of the working day for many of us. Lauren Davis shared some tips on virtual meeting best practices with Kieno Kammies on Cape Talk.
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3 Tips for managing and motivating teams during COVID-19
The current crisis is offering many businesses in South Africa an opportunity to rethink how they manage and motivate their teams for the better.
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How COVID-19 will permanently change the way we work
What trends will be accelerated, what will die away, and what new trends will appear? And what’s the most important thing organisations need to do now to prepare? We ask three people in the know.
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Coronavirus - an excuse to downgrade African countries deep into junk
A number of rating agencies have downgraded emerging market economies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their actions have raised the question: why do so during a crisis?
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This Freedom Day let’s commit to the change that enhances the freedom for all
On Freedom Day this year, the national lockdown and response to the COVID-19 pandemic, are holding up a mirror to society and forcing us to confront our faults and weaknesses.
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Strategic agility is key to business survival during this crisis — and beyond
As the COVID-19 pandemic advances, some companies have been able to change strategic focus to stay afloat in new and innovative ways. Here’s what their actions have to teach the rest of us.
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Trust in times of crisis: Why we need to trust our governments
The Edelman Trust Barometer released in January, exposed some rather discouraging truths, not only about the global state of the world, but also about South Africa.
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Video interview - Out of the box thinking can help small businesses weather the storm
Dr Tim London chats to the Bertha Centre's Natasha Dinham, about a number of measures investors can take to ameliorate the effects of the COVID -19 crisis.
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Video interview - How can Govt better support small businesses during COVID-19?
Dr Tim London interviewed UCT students and researchers, Zaakir Essa and Georgina Borros from Phaphama on their study of a particular group of small businesses that are facing real threats from the impacts of COVID-19.
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Life after lockdown: Welcome to physical distancing and the contactless economy
When lockdown ends, it is likely that people are going to want to have safe spaces to meet up in and have fun. What can visitor attractions do now to make sure they are ready?
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Strong leadership in times of crisis
Taking the reins of Zimbabwe’s largest building society during the Covid-19 pandemic has certainly been challenging, but GSB alumnus Mehluli Mpofu believes that his leadership philosophy built on team work and problem-solving will help steer the institution he leads through these trying times.
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We are not at war with COVID-19
The rhetoric of war, and the unfortunate term ‘lockdown’ are even more misplaced in this crisis because it takes people to change a society, not simply putting stringent rules or regulations in place and enforcing them through the barrel of a gun.
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Video interview - How are companies adapting their businesses to cope with COVID-19?
Dr Tim London spoke with Mignon Reyneke, an associate professor of Digital Marketing at the UCT GSB, about some of the companies that are trying to deal with the fallout of COVID-19 by doing things differently.
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We need to mobilise communities in the global fight against coronavirus
While scientists and big pharma work on vaccines, innovations and solutions developed at the community level will be key to slowing the spread of the virus.
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How investors can support small businesses through the COVID-19 lockdown
The Bertha Centre’s Natasha Dinham spoke with Kieno Kammies at Cape Talk, about how investors can help small businesses through these challenging times.
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COVID-19's top five long-term implications for business leaders
The spread of the pandemic has brought to the fore the need for business leaders to recognise the crucial interdependencies between business and its environmental, social, and governance context.
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Everything has changed: The world and South Africa's economy after COVID-19
The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world: It is possible that it will take years for the global economy to recover, which will have dire implications for South Africa’s economic prospects.
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How investors can support small businesses through the COVID-19 lockdown
For a small business, twenty-one days may be as long as it takes to close its doors forever. But investors might just have the tools to make sure that doesn’t happen.
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Human Rights in the South African Workplace: From Fighting Apartheid to Tackling Exclusion
South African organisations have made great strides in achieving more diversity and transformation. However, too many people still feel excluded in workplaces.
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Resources for information related to COVID-19
COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources
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Great leaders are made in times of crises; who will step up?
The COVID-19 crisis is giving leaders everywhere a test of unimaginable proportions. Right now we need calm, agile and decisive people at the helm across all sectors to ensure that we survive and go on to thrive again - and President Ramaphosa is setting a good example.
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Could the Covid-19 crisis offer us a window of opportunity to build social cohesion?
A national disaster declared on top of a technical recession and a standoff between the ANC and its alliance partners means that we can expect the SA economy will remain in a downward cycle for the foreseeable future — our only hope lies in building social cohesion in the face of crisis.
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The globalisation of an epidemic and the epidemic of globalisation
COVID-19 respects no borders and has laid bare some of the vulnerabilities of globalisation. Going forward, we need to look more deeply at how to build a world that protects global supply chains more effectively — and the all people that depend upon them.
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Updates for Staff
The health, safety, and well-being of the UCT GSB community is our top priority. This page will be regularly updated to keep staff informed.
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COVID-19 could be a chance to rethink, disrupt and plan for the future of your business
While COVID-19 is expected to wreak havoc on the South African economy, the full extent of this is yet to be determined. But even in crisis, there are always opportunities for innovation.
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COVID-19 has made remote working the new normal - why this might be good for productivity
SA lags behind the working-from-home curve, but the combination of coronavirus and loadshedding may be changing that. Fortunately, studies show it can improve productivity and protect the bottom line.
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NGOs today: competing for resources, power and agency
NGOs play a critical role in advancing social change and transformation, but their current funding model needs to be addressed for them make a sustainable impact in South Africa.
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Q&A with Tim London on the impact of COVID-19 on education
As the coronavirus continues to play a prominent role in our lives, we are forced to do things differently. With schools closing this week, this is making online learning very much a reality for the immediate future. But is South Africa ready for this?
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Multilingual classrooms boost learning
Just 23% of South Africans identify English or Afrikaans as their home language and yet 100% of children are expected to navigate their school years in these languages exclusively.
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Innovation partnerships to tackle youth development
The Bertha Centre at the UCT GSB and youth development lab Lucha Lunako have teamed up to find practical and actionable ways to get young South Africans economically active.
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Addressing culture and context to successfully do business in Africa
Standard Bank teamed up with the UCT GSB to co-create a powerful learning partnership that helps its managers across Africa build stronger client relationships and foster long-term profitability.
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How to foster diverse and competitive teams
How can today’s forward-looking companies get better at attracting and retaining talent from broader socio-economic backgrounds?
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Q&A with Dr Babar Dharani on the secret to happy employees
Whether it’s chasing higher pay or finding a working environment to suit your personality type, what is it that keeps people happy at work?
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Global MBA survey finds workplace sexual harassment is rampant
GNAM survey finds women in Africa more likely to report unwanted sexual attention but considerably less likely to report personal experiences of sexist and sexual misconduct.
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Better financial literacy could boost South Africa’s flagging prospects
Financial literacy is low among South Africans, and the country is paying the price in many ways, says UCT GSB professor, Mark Graham. But with even a bit of basic training the world of finance can be deciphered and embraced.
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MBA team wins security analysis live pitch competition
A UCT GSB team of MBAs exhibited world-class nerves and experience, edging out teams from Singapore, China and Brazil to take first place in a virtual competition hosted by Yale School of Management.
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Mboweni's 2020 budget speech draws the battle lines
With the economy on its knees, government’s latest budget speech expects unionised labour to share the pain. If history is a guide, the plan is unlikely to yield the desired results.
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From vet to visionary financial thinker - Susan de Witt (MBA)
MBA alumna Dr Susan de Witt is making a name for herself in an innovative area of impact investing, which has the radical potential of raising much-needed finance while also driving social and environmental benefits in Africa.
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Leveraging education and entrepreneurship to solve SA’s challenges
Recently named as a 2020 Influential Leader by the AACSB, Chris Hosken believes there is a “ton of meaningful work to be done” in South Africa — and he is determined to give entrepreneurs the support they need to do it.
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More broken promises and unmet plans will not deliver the country we need
Ramaphosa has little room to manoeuvre, it’s true. But without bold leadership at this juncture, SA is on the road to nowhere.
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Q&A with Siwe Kuse about the Open Africa Power programme
Siwe Kuse, a researcher at the Power Futures Lab spoke with Cape Talk's Kieno Kammies about being a fellow on the Open Africa Power (OAP) Programme, an education initiative co-hosted hosted by the UCT GSB in partnership with Enel Foundation and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
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A tribute to Bob Boland (Founding Director of the UCT GSB from 1966-1972)
Dr Robert (‘Bob’) Boland was the ultimate role-model for lifelong learning, described by MBA graduates from the late 1960s as "a multiplier of talent who made a real difference to the lives of so many people."
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Disruption in the diamond industry
Technological innovation and dramatic changes in consumer preferences are disrupting the diamond industry, and this has serious implications for job security in Africa.
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Do we really need another hero?
The rise of the hero leader around the world — strongmen who promise to be able to rescue their followers from difficult circumstances — is driving a wedge between citizens and undermining democratic institutions.
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Enel Foundation and UCT GSB host energy training in SA in celebration of Nelson Mandela
Enel Foundation, together with the UCT GSB as host, has inaugurated the third edition of Open Africa Power (OAP), aimed at empowering a new generation of leaders to drive Africa’s clean energy transition.
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How to get women into the boardroom faster
While breaking into the male-dominated world of senior management is tough, there are a few things women can do to make it easier for themselves while climbing the corporate ladder — all the way to the top.
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Four reasons why MBAs love international case competitions
International competitions have become a core feature of many top business school programmes. And students are lining up to take part — not just because there is prize money to be won — but because the experience provides the perfect complement to what they learn in the classroom.
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Three social megatrends that are shaping the future of tourism
SA tourism must work to capitalise on the social megatrends that are influencing how and why people travel, and what they look for when they do.
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Q&A with Azvir Rampursad: How to make yourself more employable
With unemployment at an all-time high in South Africa, even graduates are struggling to find jobs. Talent Strategy & Leadership Development specialst, Azvir Rampursad, says employers are looking for very specific skill-sets in new hires.
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Africa's first win at top international business school competition
The UCT Graduate School of Business in Cape Town has garnered another international accolade in becoming the first African business school to win the 39th annual John Molson MBA International Case Competition, often referred to as “MBA Olympics”
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Time is running out if we want to fix SA’s power crisis
Eskom’s new CEO Andre de Ruyter says it will take time to solve the South Africa energy situation. But as a new CSIR report chillingly points out - time is not on our side.
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Five New Year’s resolutions that will boost your career in 2020
A new decade is about to arrive amidst economic turmoil and political challenges, industry changes and uncertainties - globally as well as in South Africa. Set yourself up for success in 2020 with these five resolutions.
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Where some see problems, he sees solutions - Jitendra Mishra (MBA)
UCT GSB MBA alumnus, Jitendra Mishra, believes there is a bright future for mining in Africa. Despite challenges in the sector, he thinks more advanced technologies and processes will revitalise the industry.
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Q&A with Dr David Korten:
Our current economic system is driving us to extinction; that we need to change it is common sense says Dr David Korten, former professor at Harvard Business School, author and engaged citizen.
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UCT GSB recognised as a global leader in ethical business education
The UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) is the only business school in Africa to feature in the 2019 Corporate Knights Better World MBA Ranking.
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3 things to consider if you want to achieve both wealth and happiness
We’re often told that to pursue our dreams we may have to sacrifice wealth, but research is showing that the opposite is true.
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Debunking 4 common entrepreneurial myths
An award-winning teaching case by researchers from the UCT GSB shines a spotlight on what it takes for entrepreneurs to succeed in the competitive world of business.
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Privacy, addiction and the role of responsible digital marketing
Digital marketing provides an invaluable opportunity for businesses to reach more customers, better understand their needs and ultimately sell more product. But the medium is addictive and marketers have a growing duty to use it responsibly.
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GSB case study wins top international award
Researchers from the UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) have taken top honours in a prestigious international case writing competition, for their teaching case on the marketing challenges and opportunities SMEs encounter when taking their product global.
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#AMINEXT has shown us that gender-based violence must be on the agenda 365 days a year
The recent brutal and tragic deaths of several young women have shaken the nation and caused every woman in South Africa to wonder #AmINext?
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Climate change action starts with each one of us
Climate change is a global emergency and citizens must play a bigger role in addressing it.
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The seeds of systems change are all around us
In order to disrupt the systems that perpetuate outdated principles we must involve and connect the people who are most impacted by that change.
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Can Integrated Reporting bridge the widening trust gap between business and society?
Integrated reporting is taking off globally and is giving corporations a framework within which to rethink their models for value creation and rebuild dwindling trust with stakeholders.
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Four ways to give township entrepreneurs a much-needed boost
If township entrepreneurs are ever going to be the job creators that policymakers hope for, a major overhaul of mindsets and infrastructure will be necessary — and it will take a collaborative effort to bring this about.
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Believe it or not, the economy is not the biggest of our concerns in South Africa
South Africa has a fractured past, that we cannot deny, and divisions have always been an everyday part of life here. But these days, our differences are threatening to tear us apart.
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Widening access to financial services
UCT GSB MBA alumna, Philisiwe Precious Nduli, named as one of the Top 200 Young South Africans by the Mail & Guardian in 2018, is passionate about widening access to financial services — and ensuring that those services make the world a better place.
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Unlocking the creative potential in Africans - Dr Puleng Makhoalibe (PhD)
Dr Puleng Makhoalibe is one of 20 women globally, selected to participate in the 2019 Women Leaders for the World (WLW) programme - and has been recognised as a global leader in the fields of creativity and innovation. Hers is an inspirational story that began at the UCT GSB.
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Professional women inch forward in the fight for gender equality
More women are reaching senior levels of management in business than ever before, with the pay gap between men and women also shrinking, but this does not mean that the struggle women face in getting to the top is over.
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Can the coming digital tsunami carry Africa to higher ground?
There is growing evidence that digitalisation could create new opportunities particularly for innovative entrepreneurs, and bring more inclusive growth through real job creation if the right choices are made.
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Improving healthcare in remote areas of Africa requires radical collaboration
While there are many innovative healthcare initiatives working to improve healthcare in rural Africa, the reality is that no one organisation can go it alone. Radical collaboration between organisations and with governments is needed to overhaul the system.
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Positioning women as catalysts for innovation in Africa - Gloria Muhoro (MPhil)
Positioning women as catalysts for innovation in Africa
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High-tech and old-school: a winning combination for success - Chad Bartlett (PGDip)
Chad Bartlett, Director of Partnerships at tech company, Grove, describes his time at the UCT GSB, where he completed a PGDip, as a life-changing experience.
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When a love of numbers becomes a passion for doing good
WHEN A LOVE OF NUMBERS BECOMES A PASSION FOR DOING GOOD
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Business as usual won't fix youth unemployment, poverty and inequality
Young people are growing tired of vague targets and empty promises made by successive governments since 1994. Now we need decisive leadership and quick action to drive change.
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Three winning ways to tackle youth unemployment through development finance
Development finance is an underutilised tool that can be directed towards tackling South Africa’s unacceptably high youth unemployment beyond the remit of mainstream finance.
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Brexit crisis offers key lessons and opportunities for Africa
The lessons of Brexit warn us that unless the benefits of economic integration are understood - are experienced - by the average African citizen, Africa’s Continental Free Trade Area initiative is doomed to failure.
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In a post-truth world experiential innovation by hospitality leaders is crucial
In a post-truth world experiential innovation by hospitality leaders is crucial
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Soft skills rule in the 'hard' world of finance - Kelly de Kock (MBA)
Kelly de Kock (MBA 2011) has forged a high-flying career in the financial services industry and her current role as Chief Operating Officer for Private Client Securities, Treasury, and Fiduciary Services at Old Mutual Wealth combines her love of solving technical challenges with a finely-tuned ability to manage people skilfully.
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To realise value, SA Wine needs to speak with one voice
TO REALISE VALUE, SA WINE NEEDS TO SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE
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The 5 attributes of successful women leaders
Whether they are CEOs, scientists, entrepreneurs or venture capitalists, successful women often share a few key characteristics that are worth taking note of - and the good news is that these are skills any woman can develop, they believe.
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Playing the long game - Stanley Vorsatz (MBA)
It was while doing his MBA that Stanley Vorsatz began to understand his strengths and weaknesses more clearly, a lesson worth the cost of admission itself. Now he’s putting that learning to good use in his own company.
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Where will you be when an AI machine is sitting on the Board?
Industry 4.0 is redefining business and restructuring organisations; so what skills do you need to have as a manager to stay relevant?
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What is the impact of an atypical leader on diversity beliefs?
An extract from a presentation to the UCT GSB by Mustafa F. Özbilgin, Professor of Organisational Behaviour at Brunel Business School, London.
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Managers will need a new mindset to lead in a technology-driven world
The 4th Industrial Revolution offers businesses new opportunities for growth and inclusivity - but it will be critical to invest in the essential capabilities of, especially, managers to cash in on this dividend
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Back to blackouts: SA's energy problems just the tip of the iceberg
Public-Private Partnerships, access to financing and targeted skills development will be crucial in addressing Africa’s chronic power shortage.
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Branding is simply another word for reputation
Woolworths’ 2019 Valentine’s Day gaffe was a textbook case in how not to manage a brand. A brand is essentially an extension of an organisation’s reputation, and this needs to be managed carefully and with consistency from day one.
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An angel for African businesswomen - Lelemba Phiri (MCom)
She has been a television presenter, a university lecturer, a public sector and corporate key executive as well as an author and recipient of prestigious awards like the Zambian Woman of the Year Award in 2015, but it is with her gender-lens angel investment fund, that Lelemba Phiri believes she can make the biggest impact on the continent she loves.
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A boring job? Maybe to some - Nellis Beyers (MBA)
Dr Nellis Beyers, Medical Services Manager for the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, is bringing business thinking to bear on healthcare systems, making sure that more lives are saved and more lifechanging operations can be performed on children in need.
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Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) can lead SA’s economic recovery
While government has identified DFIs as a key partner in delivering an economic turnaround — these institutions lack capacity and resources to do their jobs effectively. Fixing this will be a necessity.
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Selling the Cape Town lifestyle in China - Grant Horsfield (MBA)
UCT GSB alumnus Grant Horsfield has built a rapidly expanding business in China that aims to provide a better lived environment - both at work and at play — and deliver a more balanced, sustainable and enjoyable lifestyle.
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On being nimble and expanding your worldview: Q&A with Fortune Gamanya (EMBA)
Whether you’re an organisation facing down the Goliath of the 4th Industrial Revolution, a woman in the workplace or an MBA student embarking on a new trajectory, you need to be lean and agile and ready to engage, unapologetically, on your own terms, says the founder of Luminary Advisory & Consulting and EMBA alumna, Fortune Gamanya
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Q&A with Phathizwe Malinga (EMBA) on the Internet of Things
A digital future has the potential to improve the quality of life for all South Africans but requires that companies transform their business models to take advantage of it, says UCT GSB EMBA alumnus Phathizwe Malinga.
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Saving us from plastic soup - Richard Hardiman (MBA)
Self-proclaimed “accidental environmentalist” and GSB alumnus Richard Hardiman has built a drone, based on a science fiction character, that can clean the ocean. His tech start-up, Ranmarine, produces the WasteShark - the only thing standing between us and the garbage that is turning our oceans into plastic soup.
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When energy meets application: transforming the electricity market - Deon James (Modular MBA)
UCT GSB alumnus Deon James has been a force for change in the energy industry for more than twenty years. He describes his career trajectory since graduating from the part-time MBA programme in 1990.
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