Emerging trends and African business realities.
We run in-depth academic MBA and entrepreneurship immersions that explore social innovation and the full spectrum of the contemporary African economy.
Meet the local entrepreneurs, policy makers, and chiefs of industry shaping the future.
Our Quantum Economics programme provides a template for exploring Spaza economies, Stokvel co-operatives, and pan-African business environments. We also build sector-specific programmes in energy, medicine, and construction.
- MBA Immersions
- Quantum Economics
- Social Innovation
- Renewable Energy
- Policy & Leadership
- Entrepreneurship
Cape Town & Johannesburg, South Africa
9 Days – 8 Nights – Multinational Enterprise – Quantum Economics – Inclusive Economies
Cape Town: Economic Foundations and City Futures
Day 1-3. Building Blocks of the City
After arrival, our journey begins with a walk exploring the economic building blocks of South Africa. We trace the shift from indigenous bartering systems to the introduction of currency, early local business, and the rise of multinational enterprise. We connect these historical threads to the economics of slavery and forced removals before ascending Table Mountain for an aerial perspective of the city's spatial, economic, and historical development.
Programme briefing on economic city development
Day 4-6. Multinationals and Quantum Economics
We examine global business in an African context, visiting multinational entities like Johnson and Johnson to contrast early corporate narratives with modern operations. A visit to the Newlands Spring and a brewery tour highlights the economics of water crisis management, linking back to the city's origins. We then delve into Quantum Economics, exploring the ability of black citizens to operate in both formal and informal economies simultaneously.
This includes visiting digital hubs in Khayelitsha, meeting stokvel cooperatives that drive significant cash savings, and exploring the spaza shop economy with Adeola Oyebade. These sessions challenge assumptions about structure versus informality and the true value of the informal sector.
Johannesburg: The Engine of Growth
Day 7-9. Soweto Futures and Digital Innovation
Transitioning to Johannesburg, the country's business capital, we focus on township futures. We visit Soweto Gold to learn about local brands that have achieved global reach. We explore the Apartheid Museum for political context, followed by the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct to see how the city is creating enabling environments for entrepreneurs to build the next generation of listed companies.
We conclude with an exploration of the Maboneng precinct and a dinner in the historic city centre, reflecting on how business and policy address inequality. The journey serves as a synthesis of how empowerment initiatives can impact the economic landscape of the country.
Programme Details
Accommodation is provided at the Sunsquare Hotel in Cape Town (6 nights) and the Sandton Sun Hotel in Johannesburg (2 nights). Transport consists of air-conditioned vans with some walking. The programme is facilitated by Iain Harris, with local guidance provided by Keith Sparks in Cape Town and Michael Letlala in Johannesburg.
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