FROM THE CEO’S DESK

FROM THE CEO’S DESK

As of 01 May 2020, a day when workers traditionally celebrate their rights, I assume the role of CEO of TSIBA Business School. I take on this role with humility and honour and will strive to stay true to the organisation’s vision as well as elevate its value as a business school in South Africa’s hour of need.

I wish to commend the TSIBA teaching and learning communities – staff and students – for their resilience and patience during the Covid-19 lockdown. I wish to remind you that global pandemics and disasters are not new to humankind. Over the past 100 years, humanity has endured the Spanish flu (+50 million died), two World Wars and financial meltdowns during the Great Depression in 1929-1933 and recently the global crisis in 2008.  We survived these challenges because as a species, humans are resilient, innovative and adaptable. And these are the qualities we need to draw on as we face the Covid-19 pandemic.

Other positive outcomes from crises are that we are forced to act decisively and to do things differently. Hence I wish to appreciate the TSIBA frontline academic and curriculum staff for decisively migrating towards an online teaching and learning platform. This was made possible by support from Brand and Fundraising through leveraging support from a number of loyal TSIBA philanthropic supporters and the establishment of The Chairman’s Fund.

AHEAD OF THE CURVE

TSIBA Education moved online on the 20 April 20.  This was a significant milestone and represents a possible new way of doing teaching and learning into the future. Through intricate logistical planning and fortitude, some TSIBA staff managed to deliver Telkom data-enabled sim cards to staff and students across the Cape metropole. 

Besides the roll-out of education content, being able to connect with our students online also ensures that TSIBA can respond to emotional and social needs more effectively through our funding mechanisms. These solutions might not achieve all the objectives, but it demonstrates that much can be achieved through collaboration, creative thinking and decisive action.

Our TSIBA will emerge stronger and wiser post the Covid-19 pandemic, but only if we learn with open hearts and open minds from the current context.

My gratitude goes to Prof Kobus Visser for his unstinting support, guidance and steady hand throughout his tenure.  I also acknowledge the TSIBA Board for their support and Board Chair, Prof Fatima Abrahams, for initiating The Chairperson’s Fund.

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

is a well-known African proverb. Hence I look forward to travelling the TSIBA journey with you so that we create a more peaceful and prosperous future for our society and beyond.

Sincerely

Rudi Kimmie