Simphiwe Petros, 2024/25 GSB MBA student and GSB Foundation scholar // The scholarship from the Foundation changed my life because it exposed me to this massive opportunity. I don’t think I would have been able to come and do the MBA – being a teacher trying to do my MBA; I didn’t see how that was going to work out financially. But I wanted to do the MBA. I felt that I needed to upskill and challenge myself – to do more and become more. Now, I’m here in the GSB, engaging with people from different industries, different backgrounds and different countries and learning a lot. There are many GSB Alumni who are doing great things in and around the world. It makes me proud to be a part of that network. It also makes me understand the fact that I have the capacity, too, to do great things. And I know that I don’t have to solve a problem alone; I’ve got a whole network of people that can provide insights into addressing, engaging and solving it.
The Farai Cheryl Shonhiwa (FCS) Foundation has generously endowed a new scholarship within the GSB Foundation. The Farai Cheryl Shonhiwa (FCS) Scholarship for African Women is dedicated to empowering African women while celebrating the extraordinary legacy of Dr Farai Cheryl Shonhiwa. The first candidates for this prestigious scholarship will be considered for the full-time MBA program 2025-26 at the University of Cape Town (UCT) Graduate School of Business (GSB). Those wishing to support this initiative can now contribute directly to the FCS Scholarship, ensuring that Farai’s legacy and vision continue to inspire future generations.
A legacy of empowerment
“Farai was a phenomenal woman, an accomplished mother, physician, board advisor, and executive,” says Nana Kankakee of The Farai Cheryl Shonhiwa Foundation. “The Farai Cheryl Shonhiwa Foundation is excited to begin our donation journey with UCT, a school of special sentiment to the foundation, as Farai was a proud alumna.”
Dr Farai Cheryl Shonhiwa was a passionate advocate for the potential of African women to transform the continent. Her legacy is a testament to the power of education, leadership, and community. Her mother, Francie Shonhiwa, an esteemed businesswoman, shares, “Farai had a sharp intellect; she used her gifts and talents for the common good, working on projects like launching low-cost maternity facilities for underprivileged women in Johannesburg and Nairobi. It is through the lens of her virtues and values that The FCS Foundation was established, with the objective of honouring her legacy and continuing her vision and mission of uplifting African women.”
Uplifting the next generation
The Farai Cheryl Shonhiwa (FCS) Scholarship for African Womenis specifically created to empower exceptional African women who aspire to make a significant impact on Africa’s future.Recipients receive generous financial support to attend the full-time Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at the UCT GSB, along with additional mentorship from the FCS Foundation.
Linda Fasham from the GSB Foundation says, “We are delighted to announce this partnership and opportunity for MBA candidates and our supporters. This scholarship empowers women leaders who are set to innovate and drive transformative change across the African continent. Our supporters also gain a direct channel to contribute to this initiative. It’s incredibly exciting!”
The anticipation is building. In just three weeks, the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) will host its much-awaited Alumni Reunion Weekend of 2024. This year’s event is set to be an extraordinary gathering, filled with insightful masterclasses, world-class speakers and unparalleled opportunities to reconnect with fellow alumni. Whether you graduated last year or decades ago, this reunion is your chance to return to your alma mater and rekindle the spirit of learning and community.
Why this reunion will be unforgettable
This year’s Alumni Reunion Weekend promises to be an unforgettable experience. The event will feature a diverse lineup of speakers, masterclasses, and networking opportunities – all designed to enrich your personal and professional life.
Masterclass by Dr Catherine Duggan
The esteemed GSB Director, Dr Catherine Duggan, will lead the weekend’s masterclass. With her profound insights on business in Africa, Dr Duggan will offer a unique perspective combining academic rigour and practical wisdom. This session is a must-attend for anyone looking to understand the intricacies and opportunities of the African business landscape.
Engage with renowned leaders
One of the most exciting aspects of the reunion is the opportunity to engage with some of the most influential leaders in various fields. These sessions are designed to offer deep insights and foster meaningful discussions.
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, Founder of Gift of the Givers
Kwena Mabotja, Global Director Purpose and Sustainability Marketing at SAP
Raymond Ndlovu, Executive Chair of Serendipity Ventures
Anton Musgrave, Co-Founder of Futureworld
Exclusive auction
Ariella Kuper will lead an auction offering exclusive items and experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. This auction is a fantastic way to support the GSB while obtaining a one-of-a-kind item.
Secure your spot today
The UCT GSB Alumni Reunion Weekend is just around the corner. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of an unforgettable experience. Register now to secure your place and prepare for a weekend of learning, inspiration, and connection. Meals and refreshments included.
The UCT GSB Alumni Reunion Weekend of 2024 is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of our shared history, values, and aspirations. It’s an opportunity to learn from world-class leaders, reconnect with old friends and make new ones. With just three weeks to go, now is the perfect time to secure your spot and prepare for an unforgettable weekend. Don’t miss out – register today and be part of something truly special.
As another financial year draws to a close, I am delighted to use this opportunity to reflect on the GSB’s achievements over the past 12 months, and by extension, the continued success of the GSB Foundation.
Despite the global downturn in demand for full-time MBA studies and the subsequent competition between business schools to fill their respective seats, the GSB remains the only institution in South Africa to offer a full-time MBA programme whilst sustaining its triple-crown accreditation. The aforementioned accreditations include AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS – and it is worth noting that the latter is particularly special, since for the first time since 2007 we have been granted a 5-year accreditation (as opposed to 3 years). This honour speaks to the hard work and dedication of the GSB’s leadership team and support staff, who are to be commended on their efforts.
The resilience of our full-time MBA programme is in part owed to our visionary director, Dr Catherine Duggan, and her courageous decision to adjust the course’s calendar so that it begins in August, in alignment with our business school peers in the Northern Hemisphere. This has led to a significant increase in international applicants, and a near doubling in student headcount post-Covid. Our Modular MBA programme is also thriving, with 69 new students having recently embarked on their 2-year journey earlier this month. It is mightily encouraging to see the campus halls and lecture theatres bustling with activity again – not to mention The Brig – and our beloved Sunrise Club grows from strength to strength.
The GSB Foundation marches on, resolute in its mission to attract exemplary students to the GSB’s classrooms. With the awarding of 3 full scholarships in 2023, this brings the total number of scholarship recipients to 27 since the Foundation’s inception. These scholarships are critical to maintaining our Financial Times rankings, and thus ensuring that our flagship course is able to maintain its status as the leading MBA programme in Africa.
If you would like to contribute to this worthwhile cause, please visit gsbfoundation.org.za where you can learn more about our assorted fund-raising initiatives. Even if it is something as small as signing up for our R100-per-month campaign, every little bit counts, and if several thousand of us alumni were to collectively back this effort, it would cement the GSB’s position at the apex of African business schools for decades to come.
In closing I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to our existing and past donors for their generosity. None of this would have been possible without you.
Yours in service to our revered alma mater,
Kosta Kontos MBA 2009/2010 and GSB Foundation Chairperson
Stewart Cohen, co-founder and Honorary Chairman of Mr Price Group South Africa, has received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement GSB Director’s Alumni Award. Presented by GSB Director Catherine Duggan on October 21, 2023, this esteemed accolade honours alumni who have made a remarkable impact on society or dedicated their lives to a noble cause.
… it was my honour to name Stewart Cohen (GSB MBA 1969) the inaugural recipient of this award. One of the School’s most distinguished alumni, Stewart is the co-founder and Honorary Chairman of Mr Price Group South Africa, which now has more than 2,500 stores and employs more than 25,000 people. An extraordinary entrepreneur with an unshakeable belief in the power of entrepreneurship and management education, Stewart was a founding donor and long-time Chair of the GSB Foundation — in addition to establishing the Mr Price Foundation, which is focused on education and skills development for youth empowerment, and pioneering the innovative Startup School, which provides innovative, practical and flexible entrepreneurship training and is helmed and supported by GSB alumni.
Under Stewart’s leadership the GSB Foundation raised money for scholarships that have made it possible for remarkable students to join the GSB’s programmes, and both he and the Foundation have been stalwart supporters of the School. Stewart has always been incredibly generous with his time and insights — both as GSB Foundation Chair and in his personal capacity — which have contributed immensely to the GSB’s continued development. On my own behalf, as well as on behalf of the School and broader community, I can say that the GSB would not be where it is today without Stewart’s efforts. We could not ask for a better ambassador for the School or example of the power of business education, an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset and a commitment to social impact.
Stewart’s dedication and impactful work have profoundly influenced leaders in both business and non-profit organisations, as well as entrepreneurs throughout Africa. His continuous efforts over the years have not gone unnoticed.
As a founding donor and board member of the GSB Foundation, Stewart (MBA’ 69) has played a vital role in providing scholarships for deserving candidates to pursue a GSB MBA. With the foundation’s support, 28 scholars have been able to further their education, and more opportunities are on the horizon.
I strongly believe that all GSB alumni should donate or bequeath funds to the GSB Foundation – to strengthen our alma mater and support deserving students. // Stewart Cohen, December 2023
In addition to his involvement with the foundation, Stewart actively contributes to social initiatives at the GSB Bertha Centre for Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship and the Startup School. Through the Startup School, Stewart and his co-founders have empowered over 2000 entrepreneurs and businesses across Africa, offering education, development, and grants to foster sustainable businesses and vital employment opportunities.
The GSB Foundation and its supporters extend their warmest congratulations and gratitude to Stewart for his ongoing commitment and dedication.
The Annual GSB Director’s Alumni Awards were presented during the Gala Dinner of the Annual Reunion Weekend, held at the UCT GSB Breakwater Campus from October 21 to 23, 2023. The 2023 awards recipients are Mukona Khalushi (PGDip in Management Practice’ 16/17) in the category Alumni Relations and Bruce Isdale (MBA’ 14) in the category Long-Term Contributions. The Lifetime Achievement Award is a category at the discretion of the GSB Director.
Picture: Stewart Cohen and GSB Director Catherine Duggan at the MBA Bellringing event, 4 Dec 2023 at the UCT GSB Breakwater Campus
Refentse Masha / GSB MBA student 2023 and GSB Foundation scholar // My initial curiosity to pursue an MBA was sparked last year. I did an executive course similar to the MBA, which touched on strategy, financial management, talent management and those subjects. I applied what I had learned to my business and found it to be quite useful. With six years of experience scaling and selling my own start-up, I’m now eager to explore what the next step for me is. I chose GSB because I wanted a programme that was located in Africa, focussing on Africa – that’s where I want to operate going forward. I’m still very open-minded to what might happen after the MBA, but I know that I won’t have to start from scratch – I know the kind of structures that I need to have and what I’m learning here at the GSB. So when I return to the business world or decide to venture into corporate, I’m well equipped for my journey.
Stephen Quantrill / GSB MBA ’94, Executive Chairman of McRae Investments // I’m a huge supporter of the enrichment and stretch of the GSB experience – including the foundation the MBA provides your career and the bonds and friendships that endure. The GSB MBA is a dynamic melting pot for extending and understanding yourself better and gaining skills in teamwork and symbiosis; it is a vibrant proxy for demanding board and management environments later. The academic programme is intense and deliberately designed around teamwork, and I’d urge students to give more than they take – putting in 150% while encouraging your team’s high performance in a high-pressure environment are critical skills for success. In my experience, people that go on to do better than others also learn early that they don’t have all the skills and knowledge. So it’s about learning and understanding how other people’s contributions can improve your own success, and you can benefit theirs. As a business leader, you learn to value that people see things differently, so you adapt to listen better and make more robust decisions together.
Tax season is the best time to maximise your tax deductions and give back. By making a donation to the GSB Foundation, you can support our work and reduce your taxable income at the same time. We call that a win-win!
Donations allow you to help build better futures through education. By contributing to the GSB Foundation, you create opportunities for aspiring MBAs who might otherwise be unable to pursue their dreams.
Last year, we were able to give such an opportunity to three beneficiaries – all of whom successfully completed the full-time MBA in December – with the help of donations to the Foundation. We are proud to say that Liz, Minaz and Vishal are also class leaders in terms of their achievements, gaining top student awards. They are ambassadors for the GSB and the Foundation and a shining example of our commitment to helping students focus fully on their studies.
With your support, you are making a lasting contribution to the future of Africa. Your donation will provide invaluable assistance and resources to GSB MBA students who have the potential for inspiring positive change in their home countries, this continent and the wider world.
We hope you will help us continue to build leaders building Africa.
Yours sincerely,
Linda Fasham
Executive Consultant
On behalf of the GSB Foundation Board of Trustees
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Who we are
The GSB Foundation was started in 2016 by the GSB MBA Class of 1969. To date, with the support of alumni and associates of the GSB, the Foundation has awarded scholarships for 22 students, helping them earn a world-class MBA.
How to donate
You can donate to the GSB Foundation in two convenient ways:
The tax benefits of donating – from SA or overseas
As a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO), donations to the GSB Foundation are tax-deductible. Are you registered for tax in South Africa? If you are, you can claim an annual donation deduction of up to 10% of your annual taxable income. If you are registered in a country outside South Africa, you might also be eligible for tax benefits. See details here: gsbfoundation.org.za/tax-information/
Why give back?
The mission of the Foundation is: “Building leaders building Africa.” The scholarships allow the most talented students an opportunity to benefit from a world-class UCT GSB education, regardless of their financial circumstances. Our aim is to nurture a diverse leadership that can play a significant role in building the continent.
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GSB Foundation Trustees: Kosta Kontos, GSB MBA 2009/10 (Chair); Stewart Cohen, GSB MBA 1969; Tiger Wessels, GSB MBA 1969; Dr Catherine Duggan, GSB Director; Ian Reid, GSB MBA 1993; Raymond van Niekerk, GSB MBA 1996. The GSB Foundation is registered in South Africa as a trust (IT002858/2015(C)) and non-profit organisation (169-125 NPO). It is registered as a Public Benefit Organisation (PBO ref. no. 930052029) in terms of Section 30(3) of the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962 and is approved for the purposes of Section 18A(1)(a) of the Act. The GSB Foundation is a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor.
Mukona Khalushi / GSB PGDip ’17 and member of the GSB Alumni Board, PGDip Subcommittee // I wanted the PGDip fundraising to be more effective and realised that it’s a bigger job – you need more ideas and a committed team. That’s how the idea of the alums subcommittee started. You need PGDip alums who relate to the course and the outcome of the course, who get together with others just as excited to be joining forces. I know what the PGDip did for me – it helped me see myself beyond my limit, it helped me grow as a leader, I’m more visionary now. Yeah, it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Fundraising is about community; it gives people the opportunity to invest in others, impact other people’s lives and go beyond where they can reach. There could be someone who is going online right now, they want to study for a PGDip but don’t have the funds. Having an option of financial aid still motivates them to apply – so if there are funds available, that is an opportunity for that individual.
The students of the UCT Graduate School of Business (GSB) MBA class 2022 have accomplished a remarkable milestone – the hand-in of their theses! On 8th December, family and friends gathered in celebration to congratulate everyone on this momentous achievement. Here’s wishing them continued success with all future endeavours! See the Foundation’s message to the students.
