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Dear colleagues, alumni and friends WBS was a hive of activity in the first quarter, and before we knew it, May arrived with a chilly breeze.
The very successful International Conference on Leadership, Management and Governance (ICLMG) which we hosted in March, was followed by the Serious Social Investing (SSI) conference in the first week of April. The SSI conference brought an impressive line-up of thought leaders, business leaders and commentators together to engage in the social development landscape in South Africa and its challenges. It was a privilege for WBS to be a partner. My thanks to Dr Zanele Ndaba, Dr Thabang Mokoaleli-Mokoteli, Chimene Chetty and their teams for the roles they played in ensuring the success of these conferences and raising the profile of WBS.
In the wake of the national upheaval following President Zuma’s infamous late night cabinet reshuffle, we hosted a fascinating panel discussion on the ratings downgrade and what it means for South Africa. We also hosted author and commentator Ian Mann who gave us a comprehensive, easy-to-digest round up of the latest thinking in technology, leadership and the changing world of work. WBS executive-in-residence Maurice Radebe facilitated another energy seminar which focused on the gas industry, and our Dean, Professor Imraan Valodia, hosted another of his popular ‘In Conversation’ evenings, this time with Tembinkosi Bonakele, Commissioner of the South African Competition Commission.
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Looking ahead, we will be hosting our next digital business talk on 14 June with Floris Buys, head of Digital Business at Telkom, in a lecture entitled ‘How do big corporates tap into disruptive technology developed by start-ups? And our esteemed visiting lecturer, Peter Hain will be back in July with some thought-provoking insights into the Islamic State and terror, and its impact on foreign policy.
These are just some of the events that we are, or will be hosting at WBS, proving that we are indeed a centre of dialogue, discussion and debate on issues facing our country, our continent and our world.
There is always a lot going on with our staff, students and alumni – and I do hope you enjoy a taste of WBS life in this Bulletin.
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Regards, Alison Sinclair
Acting Head of School
Wits Business School
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HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL HONOURS WBS EXEC-IN-RESIDENCE
2017 has been an exciting year for Wits Business School executive-in-residence, Euvin Naidoo. Not only has he been invited to join the prestigious Young Presidents Organisation (YPO), but he has also been awarded this year’s Harvard Business School (HBS)’s African Leadership Excellence Award. Click here to read more
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ZUNAID BULBILIA’S NEW APPOINTMENT AT THE HUGE GROUP
Former CEO of MTN, Zunaid Bulbilia, who joined WBS as Adjunct Professor last November, has been appointed chief financial officer of the Huge Group, an investment holding company which provides voice, messaging, data and video connectivity services in South Africa. With his high level of expertise and wealth of experience in the dynamic telecommunications sector on the African continent, we are proud to have someone of Mr Bulbilia’s calibre on our faculty, and wish him well in his new position.
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TOP ACCOLADES FOR WBS LECTURER
Hearty congratulations to Professor Paul Alagidede, economics lecturer at WBS, for being named as one of Wits University’s top postgraduate supervisors. The Wits Research Office recognised 67 researchers rated by the National Research Foundation (NRF), and 14 of the most highly cited researchers. Paul was recognised as being one of the four best postgraduate supervisors at Wits at an awards ceremony held at the Wits Art Museum on 11 April. In 2016, four of Paul’s PhD students graduated in record time, all of them paying tribute to Paul’s outstanding supervision. See The rise of the PhD in Africa
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GEOFF HEALD INVITED TO INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION (ILO) COLLOQUIUM
Dr Geoff Heald, Senior Lecturer in Negotiation at WBS and author of: Why is Collective Bargaining Failing in South Africa? A Reflection on how to Restore Social Dialogue in South Africa (2016), was recently invited to present the findings from his book at an International Labour Organization (ILO) colloquium.
Click here to read more
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Long gone are the days when an MBA was only about hard-core business knowledge: strategy, finance, economics, and the like. As a recent Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) survey found, graduate business programmes are “moving beyond business as usual”. Graduates themselves are increasingly wanting to work for companies that make a positive impact on the environment and have high ethical standards. In response, business schools are expanding their programmes to include modules such as social enterprise, the role of business in society and global entrepreneurship. Click here to read more
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R75 000 GOING…. GOING….
On 3 May, 2017, WBS launched an exciting pilot project in partnership with Agis Investments: a competition for entrepreneurially-minded Wits or WBS students. The students, individually or in a team, stand to win R75 000 plus 50 hours of professional consulting services from Agis Investments, an organisation which invests growth capital in small and medium enterprises. Click here to read more
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| | CEO FOR A DAY!
Odgers and Berndtson, the global executive search firm, has brought its CEO X 1 Day programme to Wits Business School.
The initiative is a way for top CEOs from the private sector to engage with some of the top MBA students from leading business schools, and gives the students first-hand experience of what it really takes to be a CEO. Click here to read more
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| | A FRESH NEW START FOR PDM ALUMNUS
The true value of postgraduate study, say many alumni, is the opportunity it gave them to re-think their career paths and explore new options. It also frequently happens that a PDM (postgraduate diploma in management) or an MBA turns out to be the impetus for would-be entrepreneurs to start a new business. Click here to read more
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NEW LIFE FOR WBS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
With a new Alumni Officer at the helm, WBS Alumni has entered the next chapter in its history. Lebo Lethunya joined WBS at the end of 2016, bringing with her wide alumni experience in tertiary education. Click here to read more
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| | The next Alumni Networking event to diarise is on Tuesday, 20 June 2017 with WBS alumnus Nhlanhla DlaminI, Founder of The Maneli Group. (The Maneli Group builds greenfield businesses from scratch in a bid to stimulate growth and employment in Africa’s industrial sector.) Nhlanhla’s talk will be on the ‘real life’ experiences of an entrepreneur in South Africa’s industrial sector.
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CALLING ALL ALUMNI MOVERS AND SHAKERS!
The AGM of the WBS Alumni Association will take place at 6pm on Tuesday, 11 July 2017 at WBS, and we would love you to be there and consider serving on the committee. The WBSAA sits approximately 3 times a year so won’t take up too much of your time! If you are keen to get involved in the WBSAA and attend the AGM, Lebo would love to hear from you. Please email her at: lebo.lethunya@wits.ac.za
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Velaphi Makgwahla
What is your role, and how long have you been at WBS?
I am the Manager in the Academic Support Office, so my role includes academic administration. I’ve been here almost six months! Where did you work prior to WBS?
I have vast experience in the academic administration environment: including the Former Technikon SA, University of Pretoria and UNISA. What aspects of your job do you love?
Amongst other things, my passion is driven by customer service, brand promotion, policy evaluation, formulation and implementation, benchmarking, improving processes , transfer of skills and innovative ways of doing business, to name a few. What activity/activities takes up most of your day?
There are so many and I can’t single one out, but I strive to excel in all aspects of my job. How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
I am very passionate and ambitious. I always chase my dreams, I do not wait for dreams to come true. Have you read any books or seen any TED talks/movies that have inspired you lately?
A variety of old Zulu novels and academic writings for my academic progress. What do you do to relax?
I share my precious time with my immediate family and I cook to impress - and to make up for lost time with my loved ones.
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Caiphus Luvhengo
What is your role, and how long have you been at WBS?
I am a general worker, helping out wherever I can. I started in August 2011. Was aspects of your job do you love?
I love my job – I really like helping other people and interacting with staff. What activity/activities take up most of your day?
Delivering stationery, and fixing things – general maintenance. How would you describe yourself in one sentence?
Generous and easy-going. Have you read any books or seen any movies that have inspired you lately?
Yes, ‘The Secret’ by Rhonda Byrne. I’ve also seen the movie. What made you do the New Managers Programme, and what was your experience of it?
I wanted to open doors for my future. The NMP was a real eye-opener. I learnt such a lot, and it made me see the world from a whole different angle. What do you do to relax?
I watch sport – any sport, on TV or live. Especially cricket!
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6 June, 2017
Public Lecture: Planning For Water Security
Wits Business School invites you to a lecture by Commissioner Sechemane, a member of the National Planning Commission and leads the task team on water. He is currently the Chief Executive of Rand Water. He will speak about the current water shortages and what can be done to plan for water security. Enquiries: Thembeka.Hlatshwayo@wits.ac.za
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7 June, 2017
Colloquium: A ‘Care and Growth’ Approach to Leadership
Bengt Saven, Swedith author, consultant and academic, will host the 9th Schuitema Colloqium. His talk will be based on his book The Leader’s Ladder, which draws on the concept of care and growth in leadership, as well as ‘lean and agile’ leadership. Enquiries: Thembeka.Hlatswayo@wits.ac.za
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13 June, 2017
Public Lecture: What does South Africa’s Energy Future look like?
South Africa’s energy future is a hot topic. What are our energy priorities? The updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is seriously considering the controversial nuclear option. Is this the way to go? Please join us at a public lecture by energy expert Jarrad Wright in which he will provide an overview of the energy sector in South Africa and the options available. He will look at the current electricity playing field in the context of the National Development Plan (NDP) and against a backdrop of more recent trends in the sector. Enquiries: Thembeka.Hlatshwayo@wits.ac.za
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14 June, 2017
Panel Discussion: How do Big Corporates Tap into Disruptive Technology Developed by Start-Ups?
As part of the WBS/Telkom Chair in Digital Business, this is the next in the series of events focusing on digital business. Floris Buys, Head of Digital Business at Telkom, will facilitate this discussion. Enquiries: Thembeka.Hlatshwayo@wits.ac.za
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20 June, 2017
Alumni Networking Event: Real Life Experiences of an Entrepreneur in South Africa’s Industrial Sector
WBS alumnus, founder of the Maneli Group and passionate entrepreneur Nhlanhla Dlamini will be our guest speaker at the next alumni networking event. Not to be missed! Enquiries: Lebo.Letunya@wits.ac.za
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22 June, 2017
WBS Career Fair
The Wits Business School Career Fair is an annual event and a highlight on the WBS calendar. The Career Fair has become the networking and recruiting forum of choice for companies who are seeking to recruit the very best talent. Conducted in an upmarket professional venue, each year brings with it an incredibly positive response from students and alumni and this year will be no exception. We are expecting approximately 600 students and alumni to attend our event which will be held in the beautiful and spacious ballroom of the Wanderers Club. For more information, contact Charisse Drobis at Charisse Drobis on 011 717 3542 or charisse.drobis@wits.ac.za
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THE DEAN’S LIST AWARDS
The top MBA, PDBA, PDM and MM students from 2016 were honoured at the Dean’s List Award Ceremony held on Friday 5 May at Emoyeni.
Against breathtaking views of Joburg, students, programme directors and lecturers enjoyed a light finger supper and drinks to celebrate their achievements.
Well done to Velaphi and the team for a well organised event!
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PANEL DISCUSSION: A DOWNGRADE TO JUNK STATUS – WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SOUTH AFRICA AND THE ECONOMY?
No sooner had President Zuma fired finance minister Pravin Gordhan and replaced him with Melusi Gigaba, than two international ratings agencies downgraded South Africa to ‘junk status’. WBS held a lively discussion on the implications of this on the country’s future, which attracted a full house. Speakers included Gardner Rusike, Associate Director, Sovereign Ratings & International Public Finance, S&P Global Ratings, Dennis Dykes, Chief Economist, Nedbank Limited, Lesiba Mothata, Chief Economist, Investment Solutions and Professor Rabelani Dagada, MMC of Finance, City of Johannesburg. Click here to be taken to the video
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PUBLIC LECTURE: THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME: ORGANISATIONS, INDIVIDUALS AND THE WORLD OF WORK
On 10 May, WBS hosted a lecture by commentator, consultant and author Ian Mann, who delivered a fascinating overview of the latest thinking on a wide range of topics, including technology and mechanisation; the structure of organisations; leadership; the changing nature of work; creativity, and the importance of simplicity. Reviewing all the latest business publications, Ian updated us on the latest developments in business and management thinking.
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ENERGY SEMINAR: OPPORTUNITIES AND SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES FACING THE SOUTHERN AFRICAN GAS INDUSTRY
Over the past four years, Maurice Radebe, executive in residence at Wits Business School has hosted a series of seminars in conjunction with WBS. The seminars focus on Energy Industry matters, highlighting opportunities and challenges to address the major Sub-Saharan African issues of poverty, unemployment and inequality.
On 11 May, Maurice hosted a seminar focusing on the gas industry. Participants included Mr Shepherd Shonhiwa, Executive Director: Reatile Group; Mr Benoit Araman, Managing Director: Oryx Oil South Africa and Mr Johan Thyse, Vice President: Regulatory Services, Sasol Limited. Click here to be taken to the video
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Are you a student, staff member or alumni? Do you have a story to tell or an event to feature? Do you have feedback on the newsletter? Please contact WBS Communications Manager, Jane Balnaves on jane.balnaves@wits.ac.za
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