Cape Town, Johannesburg - South Africa
"Proudly South Africa - Leadership & Organizational Change - From Apartheid to BEE"
Faculty Leaders: Michael Koenig and Scott Snell
Students and Alumni are invited to participate in this Global Business Experience.
You may find out more by reviewing the currently planned itinerary for GBE South Africa.
Academic Program
South Africa is the 32nd largest economy in the world with a GDP of 275 billion, more than ¾ in the service sector. The United States is the economy’s third largest import trade partner. The course will focus on Black Economic Empowerment compliant businesses– those companies leveraging the diversity of the African workforce in creating and sustaining business in Africa. Participants will gain invaluable insight into diversity as a competitive advantage – as well as gain understanding of how businesses have prospered in reaching previously underserved markets.
Industries and Areas of Study will Include:
1. Leadership & Organizational Management
From Apartheid to BEE: From the 2003 BEE Act, organizations had to re-shape their approach to diversity. Understand from leaders how they reshaped their management teams and their product offerings to set their companies for success in South Africa and beyond.
Impact of HIV/Aids: All executives face challenges when creating policies to meet the difficult intersection of work and life balance. Nowhere is this more apparent than in South Africa which has the world’s highest rate of HIV/Aids, with nearly 20% of 18 – 50 year olds infected. Aside from the impact to families and lives, the disease takes a toll on corporations seeking to be sensitive to workers’ needs to attend treatments or attend funerals. Meeting with HR executives at some of the world’s largest multinationals will enable participants to learn first hand strategies for managing this complex workforce issue.
2. Financial Services
Visits with leaders in the financial services such as NedBank, Standard Charter Bank & Sekunjalo Investments Ltd will enable participants to understand the advantages of South Africa as a base for operations in sub-saharan Africa.
3. Telecommunications Industry
South Africa is ranked #4 in Mobile Telecommunications services. BEE compliant firms Vodacom and Allied Technologies Ltd have helped the country leapfrog the legacy land lines and lead the world in mobile services.
4. Hospitality
On the heels of Africa’s first World Cup South Africa’s hospitality industry is alive with possibility. Meetings with senior executives at South African Airways, Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Ltd or the Southern Sun Hotel Group will assist participants in gaining invaluable perspective on tourism and travel in sub-Saharan Africa’s largest economy. Vineyards outside of Cape Town round out a study of hospitality, viniculture and import/export dynamics. These visits can also include discussions of sustainable practices in tourism & conservation of Africa’s rich natural resources.
Please review the currently planned itinerary for GBE South Africa.
Students with questions about the trip can contact Michael Koenig at koenigm@darden.virginia.edu; alumni with questions can contact Nancy Price at pricen@darden.virginia.edu.
Helpful City/Country Links
US State Department, including Tips for Travelling Abroad and the Consular Information Sheet
CIA World Fact Book