Graduate School of Business and Leadership - UKZN

31/08/2026

📍MBA Expo in Sandton!

The MBA Expo brings together leading business schools, industry professionals and prospective students, creating a platform for meaningful engagement around postgraduate business education, leadership development and career advancement.

The GSB&L joined the Expo to showcase its flagship MBA programme and postgraduate programmes, engage with prospective students, and provide insight into pathways for advancing their academic and professional journeys.

28/08/2026

27/08/2026

At the recent UKZN Graduate School of Business and Leadership’s Power Connect Business Breakfast, trailblazers in the field of Local Economic Development(LED) gathered under the theme Imbokodo: Women in Local Economic Development (LED). Facilitated by Dr Xoliswa Majola, a Senior Lecturer at UKZN’s School of Commerce, an exceptional panel of changemakers came together to not only celebrate women in LED but to also drive actionable discourse on the future of LED:

The panel comprised of Judy Stuart (Future Farmers Foundation), Bongiwe Nyawo (Nyawo Zendalo Air), Lana Meyer (Acting Chief Executive Officer: KZN Growth Fund Agency) and Seshnee Govender (Founder and Director: Seshnee Govender and Associates).

Key takeaways from the discussion on shaping the local economic landscape were on:
🔹 Identifying Local Opportunities: Unpacking market gaps and defining what truly makes an opportunity "uniquely local."
🔹 Future-Proofing Social Impact: Staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving economic landscape.
🔹 Rebranding LED: Engaging youth to secure a seamless, long-term leadership pipeline.
🔹 Funding Realities: Navigating medium-to-large scale private sector funding that actually aligns with your business model.
🔹 Proactive Compliance: Shifting legal compliance from an afterthought to a core business strategy.
Local Economic Development(LED) isn't just a concept—it’s a movement driven by resilient, strategic women shaping the future.

27/08/2026

We’re heading to the MBA Expo 2026!

The Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB& L) will be exhibiting at this year’s MBA Expo on 31 August at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Come visit our stand and discover how our MBA, postgraduate programmes and short learning programmes can help you lead with purpose and drive innovation in today’s dynamic business environment.

Get your complimentary ticket: www.mbaexpo.co.za/register

Invite code: GSBLguest

We cannot wait to connect with you!

05/08/2026

The Graduate School of Business and Leadership (GSB&L) was proud to support the KZN Growth Fund Agency Funding Masterclass, reaffirming its commitment to developing business leaders who drive sustainable industrial growth and economic transformation. The masterclass brought together industrial leaders, development finance institutions, academia and strategic partners to explore pathways for industrial growth, investment readiness and economic development in KwaZulu-Natal.

Representing the GSB&L was Professor Jobo Dubihlela, Interim Head of Doctoral Programmes at the GSB&L, who presented on What it Takes to Scale an Industrial Business, highlighting the importance of operational excellence, technology adoption, effective governance and strategic leadership in building resilient and competitive enterprises. He emphasised that sustainable growth extends beyond access to finance and is underpinned by innovation, sound governance and strategic decision-making.

Dr Mlondi Zikalala Project Manager in the School’s Regional and Local Economic Development (RLED) Unit, joined an expert panel on enterprise development and investment readiness. The discussion unpacked what funders look for when assessing funding applications, common deal breakers that prevent businesses from securing investment, and the factors that often cause industrial enterprises to stagnate despite their growth potential.

The masterclass also featured representatives from the KZN Growth Fund Agency (KZNGFA), EDTEA, Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal, Ithala Development Finance Corporation, African Bank and Black Industrialists, reinforcing the value of cross-sector collaboration in advancing inclusive economic growth.

Participation in such initiatives strengthen collaboration between academia, government and industry while ensuring that research and education remain responsive to the evolving needs of business and society.

31/07/2026

31/07/2026

The Graduate School of Business and Leadership at UKZN recently hosted a panel discussion on “Digital Transformation in India and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa”, bringing together government leaders, industry experts, academics and postgraduate students to explore how digital innovation is driving inclusive growth, strengthening public service delivery and transforming economies.

The panel featured distinguished experts from government and industry, each selected for their extensive experience in digital governance, innovation and public policy. These included perspectives from Indian Consul General in Durban, Mr Niteen Subhash Yeola, who reflected on the strong partnership between India and South Africa, emphasising that both countries have much to learn from one another. He noted that KwaZulu-Natal is embracing innovation across sectors such as smart manufacturing, fintech, logistics, higher education and digital entrepreneurship, while India’s digital transformation journey demonstrates the importance of building technology that is inclusive, affordable, interoperable, scalable and citizen-centred.

Chief Director for Research and Policy in the KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier, Ms Helen North, outlined the province’s Digital Transformation Strategy, which is guided by 10 strategic pillars for the 2025–2030 period. These include connectivity, digital skills, information security, process automation, systems integration, digitisation, inclusive economic growth, social wage, capable ethical and developmental state, as well as smart KwaZulu-Natal.

She highlighted several initiatives currently underway, including the development of integrated digital systems, AI-powered performance analysis tools, e-recruitment platforms and knowledge management systems. Through partnerships with the private sector, digital connectivity is also being expanded to rural communities, clinics, schools and police stations.

Providing a municipal perspective, Director for Strategy and Integrated Development Planning at eThekwini Municipality Mr Bongumusa Zondo outlined how the municipality has progressively strengthened its digital transformation agenda through evidence-based planning, integrated data systems, data governance and artificial intelligence-enabled service delivery. He highlighted initiatives such as the Strategic Hub, the eThekwini App, digital citizen engagement platforms and AI-driven municipal services, while outlining future opportunities for collaboration through a proposed BRICS Urban Innovation and Learning Network involving municipalities and universities.

The event reinforced the School’s commitment to facilitating discussions aligned with emerging business trends, digital innovation and the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

&L

21/07/2026

The KZN Social Economy Development Programme (Champions Programme) is officially underway, with social entrepreneurs from across KwaZulu-Natal beginning their training today.

Delivered through a collaboration between the UKZN Graduate School of Business and Leadership and EDTEA KZN,the programme supports the social entrepreneurs through equipping them with practical skills, mentorship, networks and institutional support to strengthen their social enterprises that drive inclusive local economic development and build resilient communities within the province.

08/07/2026

The Regional and Local Economic Development Initiative (RLEDi)in the University of KwaZulu-Natal's (UKZN) Graduate School of Business & Leadership (GSB&L) implemented its 2026 CREATE (1) Living Lab initiative, which focuses on supporting small businesses to address real community challenges

The 2026 CREATE Living Lab theme, ‘Developing a Cost-Effective Atmospheric Water Generation System for Community’ Water Security and Local Economic Development in KwaZulu-Natal, brought together researchers, industry partners, entrepreneurs and community stakeholders to co-create practical and sustainable innovative solutions.

The initiative, spearheaded by Dr Mlondi Vilakazi, Project Manager, used the case study of Sky Drop, founded by social entrepreneur Ms Nomcebo Nzimakwe, as a platform to explore solutions to water insecurity. Nzimakwe is a graduate of the 2025 KZN Social Economy Development Programme and operates within the water innovation sector through Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG) technology, which produces potable water from atmospheric moisture.

The CREATE Living Lab team first visited the Sky Drop site in Gamalakhe, Port Shepstone, where Nzimakwe showcased the Atmospheric Water Generation system and shared the operational challenges faced by the business. Sky Drop identified key barriers including affordability, reliability, adaptability and sustainability. In response, the enterprise is developing a solar-powered prepaid Atmospheric Water Generation prototype designed to improve access to clean drinking water through an off-grid, smart water generation and dispensing system.

Following the site visit, delegates gathered at Ray Nkonyeni Municipality’s Technohub, where Vilakazi presented an overview of the CREATE Living Lab concept and its objective of strengthening innovation through collaboration

The programme was welcomed by the Honourable Mayor of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Cllr Zodwa Mzindla, who emphasised the importance of partnerships that create meaningful community impact. The engagement brought together a network of champions, academics, researchers, technical experts and stakeholders, including Innovate Durban, an organisation that supports innovation, entrepreneurship and ecosystem development.

Delegates were divided into specialised groups focusing on key areas required to advance Sky Drop’s prototype and business model, including technical development, commercialisation, business development, partnerships and funding opportunities.
On the second day of the Living Lab, teams presented their findings and proposed solutions aimed at supporting Sky Drop’s growth and increasing the impact of its water innovation solution.

Through the CREATE Living Lab, UKZN GSB&L’s RLED Initiative continues to demonstrate its commitment to research-led innovation, community engagement and supporting solutions that contribute to sustainable local economic development in KwaZulu-Natal.

&L

02/07/2026

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Graduate School of Business & Leadership (GSB&L) has been recognised with a Golden Arrow Award at the PMR.africa Business Excellence Awards Breakfast, in the category of Accredited Business Schools in South Africa Offering Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes.

The recognition follows PMR Africa’s annual national survey, where employers evaluated MBA graduates and students in the workplace across key attributes including academic knowledge, leadership abilities, innovation, ethical business conduct, strategic management, communication skills, and the application of knowledge in the workplace.

This awards serves as a true testament to the School's ongoing commitment and investment in postgraduate excellence, research-led teaching, and professional relevance.