Success awaits those who are bold enough to seek challenges and embrace opportunities. There was no shortage of such people when the North-West University (NWU) launched its 2024 MBA Summer Study School at the Khaya Ibhubesi conference centre in Parys on 27 January.
The Summer Study School will conclude on Friday, 31 January and brings together MBA students for a week filled with information sessions, guest speakers, networking sessions and so much more.
The chancellor of the NWU, Dr Anna Mokgokong, opened the MBA Summer Study School with a keynote address titled The role of ethical leadership in driving change in Africa.
Dr Mokgokong was introduced by the deputy vice-chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the NWU, Prof Linda du Plessis, who encouraged the MBA students in attendance to set themselves goals, to implement effective time planning, to challenge themselves and to use their own voice instead of relying on artificial intelligence tools.
Dr Mokgokong was dressed in the NWU’s distinctive purple garb and expressed her passion for the topic of ethical leadership.
“Among other commitments, the NWU through its teaching and learning strategy seeks to produce graduates who are innovative, well-rounded, critical thinkers, principled future leaders, and responsible, engaged members of society. Therefore, I hope that my talk and interactions with you this morning will contribute to the NWU’s strategic goals and enable us to reflect about leadership on our continent and indeed in the various organisations that we manage and lead,” she said.
“Every hour of each day someone somewhere is talking, affected or impacted by ethics and leadership. Leadership and ethics go hand in hand. Leadership and ethics are not mutually exclusive, they are extremely dependent upon each other. Without ethical leadership, organisations, companies and people find it difficult to overcome obstacles and meet day-to-day challenges. You are business students and leaders in your own right, and I hope we can tackle this topic with a defined objective and a clear vision. We all know that in today's world, an authoritative form of leadership is under siege, hence the topic The role of ethical leadership in driving change in Africa,” Dr Mokgokong continued.
She ended her thorough examination of the topic of ethical leadership by asking: “If you were to ask me if I could leave one legacy for ethical leadership, what would it be? For me to be an ethical leader, it is very important that one should be driven by passion and patriotism. Patriotism involves placing your country first, placing your community first
rather than your own material gain. Passion unlocks a lot of elements in your development because you will enjoy what you do and give your very best. The financial gains will follow naturally. My mantra is that of: ‘raise your hand, be seen and be counted’. It is very important as a leader to be impactful, not only to yourself or to your affirmation, but also to realise and recognise the role that you play as a leader in the company as well as in broader society. The issue of ‘self-first’ is not progressive – it should be inclusiveness that is your guiding value for ethical leadership. It is important for you as you rise and as you have risen to also consider those coming after you: those who still need to be given an opportunity of growth for them to unlock their true potential. It is one’s responsibility as a leader to guide, lead, mentor and groom our future leaders. That is the exciting part about leadership – when you look back and you see the impact you have made. And I believe that is the rich legacy that you leave behind.”
