Nhlanhla Nene appointed as interim Director of the Wits Business School
- Wits University
The former Finance Minister will lead the prestigious business school until a new Head of School is appointed next year.
This was agreed by Wits University and Thebe Investment Corporation. The appointment is effective from 3 July 2017. Once a new Head of School is appointed, Nene will continue to serve as an Honorary Professor and a Scholar in Residence at the WBS.
“We are honoured to welcome Mr Nene to lead the WBS – his political credence, business acumen and remarkable intellect places him in good stead to lead the WBS as the search for a permanent head commences,” says Professor Adam Habib, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Witwatersrand. “However, his leadership, advice and insight at this pivotal time in our country’s economic trajectory, will add value to the quality of courses, public lectures, debates and research that we offer.”
According to the Dean of the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Professor Imraan Valodia, the WBS has made significant progress in the last five years. “Enrolments are high, research is on the rise, the quality of our programmes has significantly improved and we are at the forefront of confronting the key issues facing our economy through our public debates and social leadership programmes.”
Nene’s appointment follows the resignation of the former head of School earlier this year. Aside from stewarding the School, it is envisaged that Nene will actively work with the Wits team to recruit a new leader for the School, potentially to start in the next academic year.
“It gives me great pleasure to join the WBS that will enable me to share my knowledge, experience and networks in order to empower and work with young, talented individuals, academics and business leaders,” says Nene. “However, this appointment would not have been made possible without the support of the Thebe Investment Corporation who have allowed me the necessary time and space to undertake this important task.”
“Thebe’s strategic focus in community development is supporting transformative education initiatives, and partnering community based entrepreneurs to build and develop their businesses. Partnering with the WBS gives us the opportunity to contribute to the development and empowerment of business leaders and managers of the future,” says Vusi Khanyile, Chairman of Thebe Investment Corporation. “We wish Mr Nene well in this new endeavour and assure him, and Wits, of our support through this process. We are indeed proud of this partnership that paves the way for future collaboration with the WBS and Wits University.”
About the WBS
The Wits Business School is a leading business school based in the economic and commercial hub of Africa, and is one of 33 Schools at the University of the Witwatersrand. It is renowned for the strength of its academic courses, for its research excellence and for producing leaders that can fundamentally transform commerce, industry and society. The WBS plays a key role in providing thought leadership through providing a platform for diverse voices from all sectors to be heard whilst at the same time providing expertise in specialist areas.
About the Thebe Investment Corporation
The Thebe Investment Corporation an African company that came into being shortly before South Africa’s formal political transition to democracy, setting new norms and changing the face of business by establishing a socially embedded company that uses its business success to transform lives, and make a difference in our communities.
About Nhlanhla Nene
Download to read a condensed version of Curriculum Vitae of Nhlanhla Musa Nene.