Stewart Cohen honoured with GSB Director’s Alumni Award

By on December 06, 2023 in News and Opinion
Stewart Cohen and GSB Director Catherine Duggan

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.

// Catherine Duggan, December 2023, in 2023 UCT GSB Highlights Alumni Newsletter

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

Alumna fundraiser honoured with award

By on June 24, 2018 in News and Opinion
Sandy Mattison GSB Director's Alumni Award 2018

Sandy Mattison (GSB MBA ‘97) received the 2018 GSB Director’s Alumni Award in the category “Contribution in building alumni relationships”. The award was presented at the 2018 GSB Graduation Ball, 22 June 2018 at Century City Conference Centre, by Acting UCT GSB Director Associate Professor Kosheek Sewchurran.

Sandy is passionate about the GSB MBA programme and the GSB Foundation’s work of supporting students with their studies. A GSB alumna herself, she wanted to get involved and she certainly set the bar high: Her aim was to raise R100,000 towards an MBA scholarship.

The idea of the fundraiser was sparked at the reunion of the MBA Class of ’97 in December 2017 and soon thereafter, Sandy started rallying for the cause. In co-operation with the GSB Foundation, a dedicated Class of ’97 MBA Scholarship Fund was set up. Within six months she had gathered more than twenty individual pledges from class colleagues over R5,000 each and the funds raised exceeded the amount she initially set out to achieve.

The GSB Foundation congratulates Sandy on her hard work and fully supports this wonderful recognition of her efforts by the GSB. We are deeply grateful for her initiative and extraordinary dedication. Due to Sandy’s efforts and that of her class colleagues, another student will be able to complete the GSB MBA programme with the support of the GSB alumni network.

Sandy’s class is one of several classes now raising funds for MBA scholarships at the GSB – if you would like to know more, please see the GSB Foundation’s Alumni Campaigns page. The Director’s Alumni Awards were initiated in 2007 and annually honour alumni of the GSB who have made an outstanding contribution to the alma mater.

Picture (left to right): Peter Wingrove, Sandy Mattison and Linda Fasham at GSB Graduation Ball, 22 Jun 2018 at the Century City Conference Centre