Stellenbosch Business School marked its 60th anniversary with a week of memorable celebrations in October.
The celebration week included a Leader’s Angle speaker event with Sim Tshabalala, CEO of Standard Bank and honorary professor at Stellenbosch Business School on “Leading in Africa”, with Prof Anita Bosch, incumbent of the Business School’s research chair for Women at Work hosting the event. Other special events included the School’s Institute for Futures Research (IFR) celebrating its 50-year anniversary with a Master Class, a Social Impact Market Day hosted by the Small Business Academy (SBA), a thought leadership event on “Navigating the intricacies of entrepreneurship in a VUCA world”, and an Alumni Reunion Ball where the Alumnus of the Year: Business Leadership was announced. The overall purpose of the week was to create an engaging environment for reflection, connection, and vision-building.
Imagining the next era for Stellenbosch Business School
In this vision, the acting director of Stellenbosch Business School, Prof Charles Adjasi, highlighted that the institution has become a dynamic hub, a place where global leaders, policymakers, and academics collaborate to solve pressing challenges, from economic inequality to sustainability.
"Our role is to ensure that our students, regardless of age or career stage, can access the tools and knowledge they need to make meaningful contributions,” explained Prof Adjasi. “Stellenbosch Business School’s future lies in producing not only business leaders but societal changemakers who are equipped to address complex challenges with integrity and vision."
The Business School’s 60th anniversary coincided with important milestones such as the 50th anniversary of the Institute for Futures Research. Established in 1974, the IFR has been instrumental in pioneering foresight research, equipping businesses, governments, and societies with strategic foresight to navigate uncertainties.
Said Prof Adjasi, “Stellenbosch Business School is the business school of and for the future. Tomorrow belongs to people who prepare for it today. We are proud to see the IFR remain a lighthouse for Futures Studies.”
The Social Impact Market Day hosted by the Small Business Academy (SBA) celebrated Stellenbosch Business School’s ongoing commitment to social responsibility. The Market Day featured projects by SBA alumni who have completed the Academy’s nine-month development programme aimed at helping small business owners from low-income communities grow their businesses.
Research and interdisciplinary collaboration: Centres of excellence
Prof Stan du Plessis, Chief Operating Officer of Stellenbosch University, emphasised Stellenbosch Business School’s commitment to interdisciplinary research and the growth of its research centres.
He highlighted the Business School’s extensive international partnerships and alumni network, with 35 000 graduates across 15 global chapters. Last year, the Business School welcomed 254 international students and 15 international groups from partner schools.
The following centres are housed within Stellenbosch Business School:
- Centre for Corporate Governance in Africa, which aims to strengthen the link between corporate governance, business ethics and total organisational performance
- Centre on Conflict and Collaboration, which serves as a hub for research and reflection at the nexus of private sector development, conflict, and human security
- Institute for Futures Research, which helps clients acquire strategic foresight to make long-range decisions in order to identify opportunities and mitigate risks and to manage organisational strategies geared towards creating a desired future
- Africa Centre for Development Finance, which conducts policy-orientated research in all fields of development finance and capacity building in Africa
- Research Chair in Women at Work, which undertakes research about women at work to inform and influence women’s workplace equity, and the wellness of women at work
- Centre for Responsible Leadership Studies (Africa), which promotes knowledge of responsible leadership to enhance leadership for sustainable organisational and institutional effectiveness, especially in Africa.
Said Prof Du Plessis, “Each centre reflects our commitment to providing the platform and encouraging interdisciplinary research that benefits not only South Africa but the broader continent."
A vision rooted in innovation and responsible leadership
Prof Adjasi’s vision for Stellenbosch Business School’s future is underpinned by responsible leadership and sustainability. A notable example he mentioned is a management solution developed at the Business School that connects small businesses, manufacturers, and financial institutions.
- Visit www.stellenboschbusiness.ac.za to become part of the School’s story.