My curiosity is my stability: Inside Grace Harding’s return to the classroom

Jun 4, 2026 1:11:34 PM

Grace Harding doesn’t fit the typical profile of an MBA student. ‘I don’t know if I’m the oldest person ever to do this MBA…I’m nearly 61…and I’ve been working for 45 years,’ she says, half-joking.

How Skeem Saam’s Cedric Fourie is building the creative industry he wishes he’d found

Apr 30, 2026 12:57:40 PM

At nearly 40, with a thriving career in the creative industries and a growing reputation as a problem solver, Cedric Fourie knew what he needed: an MBA that would give him the recognition and influence to transform the Arts sector in South Africa.

Not winning alone: My transformative year at Henley

Apr 17, 2026 10:23:32 AM

Gayatunisa Cornelius celebrates her graduation with fellow members of her cohort

From a split-second click to a continent-shaping mission: how Nontobeko Magala turned opportunity into transformative African IP

Mar 13, 2026 2:58:50 PM

Nontobeko Magala had no idea that a casual tap on her phone was about to answer a question that had been quietly haunting her: Is success the same as impact?

From reacting to leading: How Gloria Sokhela mastered the inner game of leadership

Mar 9, 2026 2:10:04 PM

Gloria Sokhela wears many hats – wife, mother, sister, leader and lifelong learner. Balancing those roles isn’t simple, particularly with a high-profile husband – she’s married to DJ Sox, record producer, businessman and founder of the kwaito group Durban Finest. For Gloria, the key is discipline, clear priorities and knowing when to ask for help.

Ready to rise with my PGDip

Feb 13, 2026 2:36:17 PM

Once I chose to do the Henley PGDip and had a chance to look at some of the course material, I realised that this was a programme with the power to progress my career. I have a BCom in Accounting and initially wanted to be a CA, but I changed streams at university and completed an Honours degree in Financial Management instead. I also have an internationally recognised qualification from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), which serves me well in my current role in risk and strategy at Standard Bank. I work in the Regulatory Development and Engagement division at the bank, essentially monitoring emerging regulations impacting financial institutions – such as AI, crypto, climate and prudential updates – and my role involves preparing or influencing regulations (where possible) to ensure readiness. When I felt my brain start to get lazy, I knew it was time to challenge myself again, and hit the books after a long break. When the opportunity arose to study at Henley, I grabbed it with both hands – and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Choosing Henley over other business schools was a no-brainer because of my employer’s longstanding relationship with the school. I learned so many lessons over the course of the PGDip, but one that sticks with me is to do with shifting perspectives, which allows one to challenge the norm and start to solve problems innovatively. I also really value what I learned about creative thinking in the corporate space. The programme was transformative in shaping my identity as a leader. It helped me recognise the influence I can have even without positional authority and encouraged me to step confidently into any space. I also valued the course's personal development elements – who needs therapy when we have reflection papers? Understanding how communication works in teams, and how to voice frustrations tactfully, are practical skills that have come to serve me well. My recent promotion is testament to the effectiveness of the tools taught at Henley! THE QUICK Q&A Tell us about your life outside of work. I don’t have children; instead I aspire to be a rich auntie! I love travelling, a passion sparked by the time I spent in London in 2018. Fitness and simplicity are very important to me, too. Who had the greatest influence in shaping your character? Without hesitation, that would be my Dad. His progressiveness and wisdom taught me about autonomy in all relationships, fairness, and conflict resolution through viewing another’s perspective. Any personal goals? I struggle with consistency, with finishing things I start – from fitness goals to new hobbies – and this is something I want to overcome. What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self? I would tell her to relax more and have fun. I would tell her not to focus exclusively on academic achievements, and to spend some of her time and energy on building meaningful relationships. While qualifications are important – your brand and network is your greatest currency. What’s your passion in business and life? Professionally, I am obsessed with emerging regulatory impact and risk. This environment requires constant learning and evolving – this is where I thrive. Personally, I am moved by art and music – they fuel my creativity. What advice would you give others starting their studies at Henley? Focus, manage your time effectively, and embrace both the good and bad experiences because it shapes so much more than just skills – it transforms attitudes and brings fulfilment in the most unexpected way. Enquire about the Henley PGDip here.

Harmony over balance: finding purpose and power through my Henley MBA

Nov 18, 2025 9:44:12 AM

When I enrolled for my MBA at Henley Business School Africa, I wasn’t seeking another qualification, I was seeking transformation. Henley stood out for its international credibility, its human-centred philosophy, and its flexibility. I wanted a programme that recognised that I was a mother, a wife, and a businesswoman and that I needed harmony, not just hard deadlines. I got exactly that. When life became overwhelming (building a home, expanding my businesses, and guiding my children through new schools) Henley’s Executive MBA structure allowed me to pause and return stronger, supported by a cohort that refused to let me give up.

Love, laptops, and late nights: The Henley way

Oct 28, 2025 1:13:35 PM

For most people, the idea of having your spouse as your coworker, your gym buddy, and your late-night study partner sounds less like romance and more like a competitive reality show. But for Warren and Kelly Murray, this is just Tuesday. This formidable couple, who’ve been virtually inseparable since they met over a decade ago, are now taking their partnership to a new level: embarking on simultaneous business degrees with Henley Business School Africa.

Turning grief into growth

Oct 10, 2025 1:42:15 PM

My story began with a devastating loss that reshaped the path I had expected my life to take. When I was just fifteen years old, my father – our family’s sole breadwinner – passed away, leaving behind my mother, my siblings, and me with no financial security. Everything changed overnight. The comfortable life we had known was replaced with a daily struggle to put bread on the table.

Learning to grow through discomfort and other leadership lessons from the Henley PGDip

Aug 15, 2025 11:31:40 AM

Before embarking on the Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice (PGDip), I relied heavily on practical experience at work but, while this hands-on approach was effective in many respects, it lacked the depth and structure that academic theory provides. For me, the Henley PGDip gave me the frameworks to back up my experience so that I could move to the next level of performance. It taught me to question assumptions, analyse data rigorously, and construct logical, evidence-backed arguments.

Odumeleng Ramatlo: Rewriting the rules

Jul 11, 2025 3:04:38 PM

Odumeleng Ramatlo was introduced early on to the idea that circumstances don’t define destiny. Born in Kwa-Thema, Springs, where he and his twin brother, Odireleng, were raised mainly by a single mother who worked tirelessly to provide for them, he always had his eyes fixed firmly on the next horizon.

From corporate leader to global entrepreneur with a Henley MBA

Jul 8, 2025 9:39:40 AM

Before embarking on his Henley MBA, Khathutshelo Ramukumba had already reached significant heights in his career. However, he recognised that to continue progressing as a corporate leader – and to eventually transition into starting his own venture – he needed to broaden his skill set and perspective.