DaVinci’s 2021 Master’s alumnus Chantal Balla’s remarkability is magnetic. She is a natural problem solver, with a keen interest for making substantial improvements where she co-creates. “My late parents whom I have dedicated my study to, your blood runs through my veins and your memory will always be alive in my heart forever.” | This is our recent Q&A engagement with Chantal, to find out more about her journey at DaVinci | Please give us a brief overview of your career to date. My short-term insurance career spans over 19 years and encompasses experience in personal, commercial, corporate and the public sector spheres. Being promoted to a management position in 2005 has exposed me to all facets of business operations. Furthermore, I am a qualified Accounting and Business Management teacher by profession, coupled with an associate degree qualification in the short-term insurance industry. I have a…
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Refilwe Moreetsi, who is one of our BCom graduates from the class of 2021, is a Senior First Officer at South African Airways (SAA). A fascinating woman, Refilwe is such an inspiration, and she exudes remarkability about her. | In this recent catch-up, Refilwe shares her love of taking to the orbit and how this aviation passion was realised | It is a journey of a young woman, whose passion for flying began at the tender age of seven, when she got the opportunity to take her first commercial flight to Durban, with her parents. Refilwe Moreetsi explains that she “got the opportunity to visit the flightdeck after landing. It was a memorable experience, and I knew then that I wanted to become a pilot.” Even in explaining this story, Refilwe’s passion can be felt, as she describes how intriguing her first flight was because it was something unique,…
Don’t underestimate or relegate those that are academic to ‘just academia’, writes Raymond Toga – DaVinci Programme Coordinator and Doctoral Candidate The writer is of the notion that it should be considered that not every researcher is destined for academia. In fact, with a combination of Mode 2 knowledge production ushered in the 4th Industrial Revolution and is still relevant as we go into the 5th Industrial Revolution, coupled with the double helix Innovation system that establishes a mutually beneficial relationship between academia and industry, there is indeed evidence that the academics who are developed in this type of learning environment (such as the one we have at The DaVinci Business School) are able to utilise their knowledge in situated contexts and enhance business performance in many cases. This is because this type of knowledge production ensures a focus on the creation of knowledge that is transdisciplinary in nature,…
Dr Dzingai Katsamba, Dean: Innovation and Technology, reflects on overcoming the fear factor and views such as a human barrier to innovation… With all the pandemics, economic hardships and the rapid changes in technological growth and implementation – concerns about failure, criticism, and career impact have been holding back many people from embracing innovation. Thus, the discussions below outlines some of the ways to create a culture that accounts for the human side of innovation. There is a story that I read about Alex Honnold. The story says that about five years ago, Alex Honnold ascended and braved the sheer face of the 3,000-foot El Capitan escarpment alone and with no ropes, and he was the only known person to have achieved such a great feat. Great skill and discipline were key to Honnold, but he is also endowed with a special brain. It was proven through an…
The tt100 Business Innovation Awards Programme’s project manager, Victor Litshani, unpacks all things related to this awards programme and shares some of his experiences related to the brand’s journey. | This is our recent Q&A with Victor… Please provide us with an overview of your journey with tt100 and what this business innovation awards programme means to you. When I first joined tt100 in 2018, the programme’s reach on the participation of entrants largely came from the South African metros, and with not much reach outside of South Africa. Therefore, throughout my journey with the organisation so far, I have seen growth in reach across all nine (9) provinces, with organisations emerging from rural to urban areas joining to participate, and with tt100 expanding outside of South Africa. What do you enjoy most about working with the tt100 business innovation awards programme? The impact the awards programme…
“… [To] the youths of Nigeria, those on the streets hoping strongly for opportunities and guidance to unleash their potentials. You are not voiceless. You are being heard. The Motherland needs you. You should also hearken to her appeal and hold your destinies in your hands. This work gives you a tool. Please use it.” – A dedication, by Dr Shina Akeem Oyewale Youth unemployment is a global issue and of enormous concern. It is even acutely pronounced in South Africa where youth unemployment figures are currently sounding critical alarm bells. The issue, however, and as aforementioned, is not limited to South Africa. Northwards, on the Gulf of Guinea, on the Western Coast of Africa, the Nigerian nation is faced with the same conundrum. Many a people have sounded suggestions that businesses or corporates could play a role in reducing unemployment figures. From the academic space, individuals have been researching…
Getting to know DaVinci’s Doctoral alumnus, Therasinamurthie Perumal Govender from the class of 2021 Dr Therasinamurthie Perumal Govender, a seasoned and respected leader, is the current Managing Director at TEK-MATION Training Institute. Dr Govender, in a recent engagement, shared the tale of his remarkable journey… Please give us a brief overview of your career to date. My name is TP Govender (otherwise known as Dave), a Managing Director at TEK-MATION Training Institute. My areas of specialisations are Process Automation and Control Engineering, Engineering Fabrication, Pulp and Paper Technology and Oil and Gas Processing. I have progressed through my career as an artisan, technician, and engineer from the factory floor to my present position. A call to academia was the next providential step for me and I spent the best part of eight years in the Department of Electronic Engineering at the Durban University of Technology. I have…
The need for agility in building a sustainable culture of business innovation, writes Anthony Letsoalo-Mphogo, DaVinci’s Business Development Manager Apart from its disastrous effects, the Covid-19 pandemic has drastically influenced a number of organisations to recognise the importance of embracing agility. This being a crucial ingredient if organisations are to start developing a sustainable culture of innovation. For some organisations, innovation may have been a relatively daunting concept to tap into. While for others, it may have been mentioned in passing without being strategically and purposefully implemented or advanced to its fullest capacity. Yet, over the last two and a half years, organisations and people have had few options but to embrace the discovery of new ways of being, doing, and leading. Therefore, allowing for innovation to gain a foothold in more novel and creative ways that may have a greater impact on organisational growth, sustainability, and operational efficiency. Clearly…
A Q&A with The Da Vinci Institute’s Doctoral alumnus Dr Renaldo de Jager Please give us a brief overview of your career to date. I have just over two decades of work experience as an International Management Consultant, during which time I successfully delivered projects in most industries and in various countries around the world. Your thesis is titled: “An integrated approach to management as a mechanism to enhance the efficiencies of manufacturing concerns in the Gauteng province.” Please provide us with a blurb on the purpose of this research and its contribution. The GDP [Gross domestic product] of South Africa has been decreasing year-on-year since 2012. Since the productivity of a country is measured by its GDP, statistics imply that productivity in South Africa is on the decline, and thus affecting the economic growth of South Africa, which has also been in decline year-on-year since 2012. Parenthetically,…
POSITION TITLE – Business Developer Overview As the Business Developer, you will be responsible for developing and diversifying business within The Institute, in order to increase revenue and to guarantee the growth and sustainability of the business. This includes securing new business, managing ongoing relationships including renewal of contracts with an aim of growing income generated by, amongst others, short courses and customised interventions. Responsibilities for this role are as follows: · developing and executing growth strategies and plans · managing and retaining relationships with existing clients · increasing client base (corporate and individual enrolments) · having an in-depth knowledge of business products and value proposition · writing business proposals · negotiating with stakeholders · identifying and mapping business strengths and customer needs · carry out sales forecasts and analysis and present findings · researching business opportunities and viable income streams – including new markets, growth areas, trends, clients and…