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 Name: Francois Groepe
Part-time MBA, Stellenbosch University
Universities previously attended Stellenbosch University, South Africa;
University of Cape Town, South Africa
Degrees obtained Bachelor of Commerce (Hons);
Postgraduate Diploma in Tax Law
Country of origin South Africa
Age 36 years
'The USB's MBA class was a melting pot of people from various academic, professional, cultural and religious backgrounds, and this diversity enhanced the quality of the dialogue and debates.'
Career history
Francois Groepe, after qualifying as a chartered management accountant, felt that he needed to broaden his focus, and expand his knowledge and skills base by enrolling for an MBA. Added to this, he believed that, with the exciting political developments in South Africa, an MBA would assist him in preparing for the many opportunities that these developments would present.
I was an unlikely candidate to become an aspiring MBA graduate and a successful businessman. I grew up in the townships of South Africa as a member of a disenfranchised community. I was, however, destined to break out of the poverty trap when I, through sheer determination, completed my schooling with a distinction - the first in the history of my school. This secured me a bursary for my first year at university and enabled me to enrol at Stellenbosch University for a Bachelor of Commerce.
Why did I choose USB's MBA programme?
After completing my studies, and having qualified as a chartered management accountant, I wanted to broaden my focus, knowledge and skills base, and hence decided to embark on an MBA programme. Having researched several programmes, I decided to enrol at the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) because of both the width and depth of its programme, and the strong focus it placed on the integration of the different aspects and disciplines of management.
The best elements of the programme
For me, some of the best elements of the programme were the quality of the faculty members, including various internationally rated visiting professors, the animated class discussions and intelligent discourse, the fast pace that got my adrenalin pumping, and the cameraderie and the friendships that were formed. I left the programme feeling energised and brimming with confidence - and ready to conquer the world.
The mix of backgrounds and cultures on the programme
The USB's MBA class was a melting-pot of people from various academic, professional, cultural and religious backgrounds, and, to my mind, this diversity enhanced the quality of the dialogue and debates. It added a further dimension to the group dynamic, and, particularly when working in small groups, led to interesting learning points. In many ways, this prepared us for the diversity (at that stage unknown to many) that we would face a few years' later in South Africa's changing workplace. On the other hand, the case studies, many of them international, equipped us to compete in the global village - a place where the significance of the nation state is being eroded, and international competition is the order of the day.
How the MBA has helped in the development of my career
If I had to choose all over again, my choice would be the same. I have never regretted the decision to do an MBA and particularly the USB's programme. The experience was empowering and equipped me to make a contribution in various spheres, ie at the community, business and public-interest levels. If it weren't for this programme, that contribution, in all likelihood, would have been so much poorer.
The USB's MBA opened many gates for me, resulting in my being appointed as CFO of the South African subsidiary of Swiss Re at the age of 29. I was later transferred to the Zurich Head Office of Swiss Re. In 2003, I returned to South Africa and was appointed as the Financial Director of Media24, the largest print-media company in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2004, I was appointed by the President of South Africa to be a government representative in the South African Reserve Bank, and, more recently, by the Minister of Education as her representative on the Council of Stellenbosch University. I furthermore serve on the Boards of the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, and MNet and Supersport (local pay-TV companies). I am also a member of the Board Audit Committees of the Industrial Development Co-operation (IDC) and Artscape.
Future plans I, for now, hope to continue to make a positive contribution to the business landscape of South Africa, but I do not exclude the possibility of starting my own company if the right opportunity presents itself.
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