Shadi Lekgoathi, a GSB MBA 2021 and GSB Foundation Scholar, is featured in the “Entrepreneurship & Innovation” segment of the GSB Ideas Exchange, the online platform of the UCT GSB Press Office.
Reflecting on her MBA experience a year later, Shadi shares that it has had a profound impact on her self-perception and her ability to make a difference in the world. “The biggest takeaway from my MBA is my mindset change about Africa and my willingness not to leave but to stay here. What follows for me is […] to be interested in how my contribution fits into the larger ecosystem,” she explains. While challenges still exist, she’s changed her perspective to asking what opportunities might become available in the midst of these challenges. “How do we make people’s lives better?” she asks.
Rayner Canning, Business Development Director at the UCT GSB, adds, “It is incredibly important that as a school we make this funding available not only to boost the careers of individual students but for the benefit of the broader economy and society. We find that a large number of our graduates – as African leaders of substance – go on to add tremendous value to their work and society.”
The UCT GSB 2021 Alumni Reunion Weekend took place 22–24 October 2021. “Knowledge across disciplines” was the theme of the weekend and invited speakers shared how leaders are responding to global challenges with a multi-disciplined approach. Of course, staple social activities like a Brig session and the 3Peaks Challenge were also on the agenda.
See here the highlights of the Alumni Reunion Weekend 2021:
It’s been that time of year again where UCT GSB Alumni of all programmes and graduating years gathered to enjoy the annual Alumni Reunion Weekend, held virtually for the second year in a row.
This year’s theme is “Knowledge across disciplines“. The speaker line-up included:
Ralph Mupita, CEO MTN;
Aidan Kearney, Strategy Director, EMEA Nike; and
Buhle Goslar, Jumo World CEO for Africa Region and Pakistan.
They were discussing how we can leverage technology to meet and find new customers and how to develop and build new leadership practices to maximise the benefits.
The event ran from Friday 22nd October (16:00 – 19:00), Saturday 23rd October (12:00 – 16:00), ending on Sunday 24th October with the 3Peaks Challenge – a GSB tradition held annually for the past 42 years!
Steven van Rheede, a distinguished GSB MBA 2020 graduate and recipient of the GSB Foundation Scholarship, shares his experience pursuing an MBA during the challenging COVID-19 lockdown. In an interview with the GSB Ideas Exchange, the online platform of the UCT GSB Press Office, Steven reflects on the unexpected benefits he gained from transitioning to online learning.
As a member of the 2020 MBA class, Steven initially anticipated a break from work distractions and an opportunity for self-reflection. The program began with great enthusiasm, exceeding his expectations. However, the sudden outbreak of COVID-19 forced the program to shift entirely online, presenting unforeseen challenges which the UCT GSB effectively navigated despite initial difficulties.
While the pandemic brought about significant changes, Steven found himself with abundant time for introspection. “I had the time to figure out who I am and what I wanted to do in the world, and what kind of leader I am. So it was very much a year of meditation.” he describes the experience as a period of profound self-discovery, enabling him to delve into his identity, aspirations, and leadership style. It proved to be a transformative year of personal growth.
