Professor Wendy Ngoma, Director and Head of School

Wits of the Next Generation

Summit TV Interview

Sustainable growth at the heart of business

IT IS HARD to believe that the World Cup was actually this year – and ages ago. So much has happened since then and the national aura of excitement and joie de vivre – which so many of us wanted to bottle – has gone too. What we daren’t do is forget all we have achieved. We must hold onto how innovative we were and how we were able to recognise opportunities available to us. Moving forward from 2010 will require sustainable growth on all fronts in this country. We need to grow in every area – not least in business education. Here at Wits Business School, we are listening to what our academics, our alumni, our students and our potential students are saying about where we need to be building and growing, so we can provide them with the best education available in South Africa and Africa. We are also doing what we can to be on the map when international students are looking for a quality education.

Part of growing our school is strengthening and developing partnerships with top business schools around the world. We are always looking at sourcing talent from other institutions and companies, and we want to give alumni the opportunity to come back as guest lecturers so they can share their firsthand experiences with our students. Recently, on a trip overseas to interact with other schools, I had the opportunity to meet many WBS alumni. It was incredible to see just how proud they are to be alumni of this school and how much they want this school to flourish. The world has changed, and what is clear is that people outside South Africa have an understanding of the pulse of the South African economy. In this country, there is a general sense that we are encouraged to grow in terms of business and and bring ideas to the world. So people are bringing their ideas for growing new businesses here. We need to be alert to those entrepreneurs who can help us grow. That is how we will change the business landscape of this country. We need to ensure internationalisation and growth. Sustainable growth needs to be at the heart of business in this country.

For this reason, we look at the theme of sustainable growth in this edition of The WBS Journal. Stuart Graham investigates the priority skills needed for economic growth in South Africa and identifies system blockages and solutions being developed to fast-track these skills. South Africa is doing exceptionally well on the sustainability front, as specified by the United Nations Global Compact, the world’s largest voluntary corporate citizenship initiative to advance universal social and environmental principles. Find out where we are at in this project. Sven Lunsche tackles employment trends in mining and the impact of increased mechanisation. We also delve into how vital renewable energy is to development on this continent. Dr Grant Sieff looks at how engaging in culture surveys and mapping will help to optimise organisational alignment and implement a sustainable people strategy. We get to know Kuseni Dlamini, CEO of Old Mutual SA and someone who gives a great deal to this school as a member of our advisory board. We also give insight into alumni Brian Kennedy,managing executive of Nedbank Capital, and Jacoline Loewen who, among other achievements, has written three best-selling business books.

Economist Gillian Findlay looks at the need for a tax ombudsman to entrench taxpayers’ rights in the country. We also have Primedia’s Yusuf Abramjee telling us what South African businesses have done to take forward the aims of LeadSA. And there are many other fascinating articles to read. Before I sign off, I know the end of the year is around the corner and people are deciding what their challenges are for 2011. It might be time to consider boosting your business education. If this is something you are considering, we are waiting for you. Here is to sustainable growth!

Professor Wendy Ngoma
Director and Head of School