The Milpark MBA is designed for ambitious professionals. It combines flexible online learning, dedicated student support, and a strong focus on ethical leadership. Rooted in South Africa and recognized globally, the Milpark MBA empowers future leaders to create lasting change.
At the 2025 AMBA Conference, MBAGRADSCHOOLS had a chance to talk with Marilize Putter, Chief Academic Officer at Milpark Education in South Africa. With a strong focus on online programs, flexibility, and ethics, the Milpark Business School MBA is redefining leadership for South Africa and beyond.
Milpark’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) is designed for ambitious professionals balancing work, study, and personal growth.
Founded in 1997, Milpark Education is a leading private higher education institution in Cape Town. It offers programs across four schools: the Business School, the School of Commerce, and then two specialization areas at the School of Professional Accounting and the School of Financial Services. This South African university aims to provide online learning that is interactive, supportive, and fosters a sense of community.
Marilize explains, “We are primarily providing our education through an online mode of delivery. But we have a very strong focus on creating communities with our students, [and] providing psychosocial support, so it is very different from sitting at home on your own. We are really trying to bridge that gap.” (00:21)
They offer a range of business programs. The various schools target specific skills and knowledge that prepare students for their desired career path.
Milpark’s School of Professional Accounting is especially highly regarded in South Africa. Marilize reports that they are currently the biggest educational pipeline in South Africa for chartered accountants. (01:02)
Milpark has built a strong reputation as one of the country’s leading schools for accountants, which speaks to the quality and rigor of the business education they offer. This credibility galvanizes their MBA program, giving students confidence knowing that they’re learning within a school trusted by top professionals and employers.
For Milpark MBA candidates, this reputation means exposure to high-level financial thinking, a strong network of ambitious peers, and a respected and recognized qualification in the business and finance world.
Milpark seamlessly blends asynchronous and synchronous learning. The online content is divided into blocks. Students can engage with the content in their own time and at their own pace.
There are also moments for synchronous study. These provide an excellent opportunity for deliberative discussion. Through classroom discussions, students engage with the learning content through local and international lenses.
Marilize elaborates, “It’s very important for us that we are able to see the world through the lenses of other people. And it’s only when we have difficult conversations that we are able to also look at the world through other people’s eyes. That is what we use our synchronous moments for.” (02:04)
This ensures students gain the flexibility of independent learning, balanced with the interactive element and peer-learning that comes from attending in-depth class discussions.
Milpark’s programs are deeply rooted in the South African context while also offering global perspectives. The curriculum is crafted to address unique local challenges.
The school is intentional in motivating students to address and solve South African challenges. The blend of international perspectives and a South African-specific approach ensures students are confident in addressing both global and local challenges. The school’s Learning Innovation Development Team partners closely with lecturers to find a format and style that works best for their students.
Marilize emphasizes that they also weave in “psychosocial support that we wrap around every program based on the needs of the students.” (03:35)
This approach prepares students for roles that require both global awareness and local insight. Moreover, the personalized approach ensures that students feel supported throughout the distance learning process.
Flexibility is one of Milpark’s strongest features. Nonetheless, the AMBA-accredited Milpark MBA program makes every effort to foster a cohesive cohort experience. This ensures that students remain connected to peers and faculty.
The renewed MBA program design includes an in-person event at the start of the program. Students meet for three days to have the chance to get to know each other and bond as a cohort. For the remainder of the program, students can study from anywhere in the world.
Additionally, for students who are unable to join the online synchronous learning moments, lecturers ensure that there is a recording of class discussions available in the virtual learning environment. This way, students don’t miss any important class discussions and can continue to learn from their peers.
Marilize notes, “What we’ve done this year is we have shifted the focus of our MBA… towards creating a better cohort experience.” (03:44)
This balance of in-person and online interaction strengthens the cohort experience while maintaining online flexibility.
Students have plenty of contact points for support. Next to their lecturers and peers, they have a dedicated coach. Marilize adds, “In the first six months of the program, we have assigned a coach to each individual student.” (06:02) Coaches help students with adapting to the program and their personal development.
Occasionally, the program brings in student support and wellness advisors to address certain topics and concerns. Students also have access to an online platform to discuss any issues they are facing.
In addition, Milpark aims to organize the program around principles of affordability and accessibility. The program’s flexible approach is very understanding of students who are combining studies with demanding jobs. The program structure ensures they don’t need to take time off work to complete their degree.
The Milpark MBA is more than a qualification. It is a deep journey into leadership and what it truly means to lead. Students are encouraged to expand their thinking, challenge themselves, and lead with purpose. Milpark aims to equip the future leaders of South Africa with the skills and know-how to create meaningful change. Leadership is integrated throughout every aspect of the program.
Marilize reiterates, “We’ve reimagined our MBA and we’ve decided we want to have a very strong focus on leadership, and building leadership attributes, that will help solve problems unique to South Africa and the African continent… It’s not just connected to your role or your salary, but for us it’s also about the impact in terms of community.” (08:26)
This focus on leadership reinforces Milpark’s goal to produce leaders who drive lasting change across Southern Africa and beyond.
For professionals seeking an MBA that blends flexibility, community, student support, and a strong focus on ethical leadership, Milpark Business School is a standout choice. Its AMBA-accredited MBA program, commitment to flexible and accessible online learning, and localized approach make it truly unique. The program is especially relevant for those who want to create meaningful impact in South Africa or across the African continent.
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