“The most important thing is to keep in mind," said GSB’s Director, Dr Catherine Duggan in her opening address to the 2024 Alumni Reunion Weekend, "is why we do what we do, and the impact that we are able to have. That's fundamentally what knits generations of GSB students together over the years.”
She then presented the GSB alumni with her favourite quote (“which every staff member here will know by now”), from the Nigerian author, Ben Okri:
We must look at the world with new eyes.
We must look at ourselves differently.
We are freer than we think…
We can re-dream this world and make the dream real.
“That is what we do here,” said Dr Duggan. “Inside this building, students and alumni and others come together to re-dream the world, but also to equip themselves with the skills and the tools, the insights and the networks to be able to implement this re-dreaming.
“So collectively we dream the world and we make that dream real, for us, for our organisations, for our families, for our children, but also for the children who we will never meet, but who will live in the future that we have created.
“Because at the UCT GSB we shape the leaders of the future, and we see our collective shared future as having Africa at its centre.”
These words set the tone – and a high bar – for the rest of the weekend, as proud and diverse alumni from as far back as the Class of 1966 and as recent as 2024 came together to share their thoughts and experiences – and re-dream a new world.
From higher self to better sustainability
One such re-dreamer is Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, founder of the Gift of the Givers Foundation – the largest disaster response NGO in Africa. Dr Sooliman spoke about the role of faith and spirituality in his lifetime of serving others at their time of most desperate need, from Gaza to Pakistan, and how his trust in our common humanity consistently delivers miraculous results.
When asked about what role the UCT GSB can play in creating a world where his NGO could hang up their stethoscopes and put their feet up, Dr Sooliman replied: “I was once asked: ‘If you could be the dean of every medical school in South Africa, what would you do?’ I replied: ‘I would teach compassion.’ So to the GSB I say: continue to teach ethics in business. Teach compassion.”
The next day’s mistress of ceremonies was the effervescent Ariella Kuper, who regaled the audience with her stories of how she became one of the world’s leading female auctioneers, and how her passion for charities has thus far raised more than R160m for good causes.
The speakers on Day Two continued the themes that Drs Duggan and Sooliman raised on Day One: how a combination of knowledge and personal development can create positive impact on a world re-dreamed.
Raymond Ndlovu, Executive Chair of Serendipity Ventures, spoke about how a group of maverick stockbrokers created the Broking for Good Foundation, and how “the process that we had undergone to dare to think beyond ourselves is something that I would like to leave with you as a challenge: to think beyond yourself. Because often what we are talking about at the dinner table becomes our reality. But I’d like to ask that we stop talking about what our problems are and start talking about how collectively we can combine our skills, our network, and our power to make meaningful and lasting impact on society.”
Kwena Mabotja (MBA, 2012), a self-confessed ‘Planeteer’ who works in the Sustainability Growth Unit at software giant SAP, issued a warning about the importance and impending necessity of sustainability reporting as a mechanism for global trade. Companies wishing to trade with the EU will need to invest in data collection and dedicate resources to comply with the regulatory framework post-2027.
“Throughout this journey, one thing has really remained and resonated with me,” said Kwena, “and that is the concept of servant leadership. As leaders we are here to serve, and create platforms for others to be empowered to join a shared vision. And my vision is about purpose and positive change.”
The day ended with Anton Musgrave (MBA, 1992; co-founder of FutureWorld) pointing out that most organisations’ leadership is too obsessed with being the best at what they do. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that disruption is becoming exponentially frequent and consequential.
“Don’t compete! Rather than becoming obsessed with being the best at what you do,” he says, “you should focus on becoming the only one who is doing a particular thing in 2036. Reimagine the art of the possible, and choose to be the category of ‘The Only One’.”
The cherry on the top
Ultimately, however, this powerful convergence of minds, experiences, and shared values, where past graduates come together to celebrate their journeys and reaffirm their commitment to making a difference in the world is also a reminder that the privilege of education comes with a responsibility to give back.
This year, a major highlight was the fundraising efforts aimed at expanding access to the GSB’s world-class programmes through one of the School’s most valuable institutions: the GSB Foundation. After lunch, alumni rallied to raise funds for scholarships with an auction led by the powerhouse who got her first big break by blagging her way into the corner office of one of the top ten auctioneers in the world and demanding “not just a job but a career”.
Let the record show that under the hammer of the inestimable Ms Kuper, a selection of fine wines and dinner for six with Dr Duggan netted the GSB Foundation a significant portion of a full MBA scholarship! These funds will offer deserving individuals the same opportunities that many of the privileged attendees were fortunate to experience. The collective effort to open doors for students who cannot afford it was a testament to the alumni's dedication to making the GSB not just an elite institution but an inclusive one, where talent and drive are the only prerequisites for success.
The most important lesson of the weekend? That the most valuable thing you can do with a formative experience is to pass it on to others. And the best way to get the most out of a good thing is to give it back. And thereby shape the leaders who will shape tomorrow. Because a new world needs new ideas.
Alumni Reunion Weekend Awards
The winners of the 2024 Annual Alumni Director’s Awards are:
Category 1: Made a significant contribution either in the promotion of and in service of the UCT GSB
Joy-Marie Laurence (EMBA 2010)
Joy-Marie has made a tremendous impact at the school by nurturing the Get on Board student club. Most recently, she crafted a specialised career curriculum for the GSB’s world-leading EMBA curriculum, empowering them to take on or advance in Board roles. Her involvement extends well beyond student and alumni engagement, contributing to many facets of the school’s activities. Always generous with her time and expertise, she has helped shape alumni talks, participated in them, and supported a variety of initiatives that enhance the student experience. She is always willing to assist, making a meaningful difference in every project she touches.
Category 2: Through building alumni relationships within the alumni community and the UCT GSB
Steven Burnett (MBA 2010)
With a passion for sports, he fosters meaningful connections between students and alumni. He initiated the Pre-Cycle Tour alumni event, led student night hikes, and continued the tradition of the Three Peaks Challenge. Through sport, he creates a strong sense of community and belonging for both students and alumni.
There is a third Category, the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of several contributions to the UCT and alumni community over a period, which has resulted in significant impact. This is currently embargoed – but watch this space!
Our heartfelt congratulations go out to the winners. We are truly grateful to your dedication to and passion for the UCT GSB and its values.
See you next year!
Thank you to the GSB Foundation for continuing to pay it forward. To do your part, however large or small, click here.
