Stanford Seed programme graduates 23 individuals
Graduates of Stanford Seed Transformation Programme in southern Africa have been urged to work harder for their respective countries, especially at times when the global economy has fallen hard from the devastating impact of COVID - 19.
This week, 23 graduates were certified after a 14 months- long programme. Speaking during the graduates networking session on Tuesday night, Chief Executive Officer of CEDA, Thabo Thamane stated that the cohort is best suited to take charge of problems the world is facing. “This programme is really the answer to some of our challenges as a country, at a time when not just Botswana or even southern Africa, but when the entire world has been forever changed by the Covid- 19 pandemic. The challenges faced by this region, of unemployment, rising cost of living, a slow job creation, of climate change to name a few, all of which result in a myriad of social ills, require a set of leaders equipped to lead in the aftermath of a crisis. That said, there has never been a more befitting group to take on this challenge,” said Thamane, who was the guest speaker.
He further said the world is currently experiencing challenges probably greater than those of the previous generation. “We have changes coming at us at an unprecedented rate. Uncertainty seems to be the order of the day and a difficult macro economy the world over. The biggest question is, as leaders, how do we find our way during these difficult times. How do we continue to inspire hope, even when you can barely see the light at the end of the tunnel?” Thamane asked rhetorically.
According to Thamane, who heads a development finance institution, leadership is marked by individuals who never seek credit for what they do, but whose sole mission is to seek out a tribe of people with a joint vision to drive the agenda to end unemployment, design self- sustaining nations, and build knowledge- based economies. Speaking at the same event, Otsile Mabeo, Vice President - Corporate Affairs ( De Beers Global Sightholder Sales) said: “The Stanford Seed Program is incredible. The tools it provides entrepreneurs and the ways in which it has helped them turn around their business is absolutely remarkable. But what is even more inspiring is the possibilities that lie in the network. That opportunity to tap into a pool of people who are experienced, have knowledge and insights, and connections that can open doors or help you solve problems or even be interested enough to partner, is the game changer.”
The programme, which is a collaboration between Stanford Graduate School of Business and the De Beers Group, assists business leaders in southern Africa to expand and transform their companies, community, and economy. Conducted largely outside of the classroom, Stanford Seed’s hightouch, one- year leadership programme empowers CEOs/ founders and management teams of established businesses to gain essential business and leadership skills, from strategy and finance to business ethics and design thinking, all taught by world- renowned Stanford faculty, and local business practitioners. “We are excited to confirm that 18 companies from the 4th cohort in southern Africa have completed the Seed Transformation Programme from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. The STP is a significant part of the De Beers Group Building Forever sustainability strategy and demonstrates our commitment to the ‘ Partnering for Thriving Communities’ pillar that aims at enhancing enterprise development in countries where we operate in the Southern African region,” said Mabeo previously.