Unpacking the challenges of high unemployment

South Africa’s unemployment rate has been a pressing issue for several years; it was 32.9% in the first quarter of 2023. As job seekers strive to distinguish themselves in an oversaturated market, business education emerges as a solution. 

However, individuals face a challenging dilemma when considering graduate-level business education. Dean Morris Mthombeni, who leads the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), explains the situation:

“In the context of high unemployment, people have to make a choice. Do I go to work and find a job because there are few jobs around, or do I advance my education?”

Fundamental reading, writing, and numeracy skills are required for effective business participation. Dean Mthombeni stresses that the lack of overall quality of primary education in some regions means business education must cover the basics. (00:16) 

To address this challenge, GIBS takes a proactive stance, not only through its carefully designed curriculum but also by fostering partnerships and collaborations.

Partnerships and collaboration in South African business education

South African business schools have hundreds of agreements with their International counterparts. Collaborations between local South African and international business schools benefit both institutions. They allow local schools to access broader resources, expertise, and perspectives, enhancing their curriculum and research capabilities. In return, international business schools gain a deeper understanding of local challenges and practices, contributing to innovative solutions. 

These partnerships extend to businesses, government bodies, and civic groups, propelling change and fostering sustainable economic development.

According to Dean Mthombeni, GIBS’ strengths lie in its proximity to the business world and strategic partnerships. With organizations like the American Chamber of Commerce, the UN Global Compact local network, and the Association of African Business Schools located at GIBS, the school prioritizes being connected to the business community. (13:48) 

Collaborating with international business schools helps GIBS identify and address resource gaps, ensuring a comprehensive education for its students. Moreover, these partnerships have far-reaching effects on society as a whole.

The challenges that GIBS students learn to face are not isolated to South Africa but are global in nature. Those issues include climate change, dwindling natural resources, socio-economic disparities within and between nations, and a lack of unity. Business schools like GIBS  play a crucial role in collaborating to overcome these global challenges through education and collaborative efforts.

The advantages of an MBA at GIBS

Obtaining an MBA sets job candidates apart from their competitors and paves the way for various opportunities. A well-structured MBA program can significantly shape future leaders’ outlooks and career trajectories. 

Dean Mthombeni says the value of an MBA from GIBS lies in the process and people, not solely in the content. He explains the school takes people “ that are used to operating in a very neat, safe, cognitively balanced space, and we drive them through a cognitive overload in a caring way, but still, we push, push, push. And in the process of doing that, our students, when you ask them at the end, they say, ‘Of course, I know all these interesting frameworks, but I’ve changed. I’m not the same person as I was before, Now I know what GIBS magic means.’” (08:28)

Underpinning GIBS’ philosophy is the conviction that listening and learning are “integral acts of service,” particularly during times of crisis, according to Dean Mthombeni. 

Effective listening involves refraining from immediate responses, interpretations, or clever analysis. Instead, the focus should be on fully absorbing and understanding the messages conveyed by society. Through this attentive listening process, individuals learn alongside society, recognizing they are in a position to engage in mutual learning. (15:43)

GIBS nurtures the future trailblazers of South Africa. These are leaders who will inspire others to pursue education as a means to overcome the constraints of unemployment.

Dean Mthombeni shares the GIBS perspective, “Our curriculum, our learning methods are not there about just this degree, but ‘how do I take this learning that we all bring together and transform the spaces that we all inhabit as business leaders.’” (17:12)

In short, an MBA from GIBS offers more than a degree – it’s an opportunity to contribute towards societal upliftment.

Find out more about what GIBS has to offer from the school’s student ambassadors.