NEWS // Homecoming GSB@60
Reflection, reconnection, and a renewed sense of purpose at the UCT GSB
The inaugural Homecoming Weekend at the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business marked more than a reunion. It was a celebration of legacy, leadership, and the enduring strength of a community built over six decades.
Hosted at the GSB Conference Centre, the event welcomed students, alumni, staff, and friends of the School for a weekend of connection, reflection and celebration as the GSB marked its 60th year. What emerged was not only a moment to look back, but a powerful signal of the School’s direction in the years ahead.
An ecosystem on display
The weekend opened with an energetic gathering of alumni at The Founders Collective, an entrepreneurs’ market where GSB graduates showcased ventures spanning industries and stages of growth. From Nela Tea and Bee Loved Honey to Brandserv SA and The Trust Gap Digital Consulting, the space reflected the diversity and dynamism of the GSB network.
Alongside these ventures, South African wine producers, including Zoetendal and Malanot, added a distinctly local flavour. The atmosphere was one of curiosity and reconnection as alumni engaged not just as former classmates, but as founders, collaborators, and leaders. For many, this set the tone for the weekend. The GSB is not simply a place of learning; it is an evolving ecosystem shaped by the people it brings together.
Storytelling and leadership in a changing world
The formal programme began in the Kate Jowell Auditorium with a keynote address by GSB Director Dr Catherine Duggan. Titled From Chicago to Cape Town, her address was a powerful reflection on leadership, identity, and purpose.
Drawing on her Chinese and Irish heritage, Duggan shared a multigenerational story of migration, curiosity, and courage. Through these reflections, she emphasised the importance of “mission, purpose, and adventure” and the belief that “absolutely everyone in the world is interesting”.
She reflected on her parents’ unconventional choices, noting how they shaped her belief in “the idea that it is desirable not to do as you are expected to do”. These lessons carried into her own leadership journey, where she argued that while leaders are often expected to be collaborative and measured, truly impactful leadership also requires being “audacious, brave, loud, and a little bit belligerent”.
Her message resonated strongly in light of her recent reappointment for a second five-year term as director. Reflecting on the past five years, she acknowledged the collective efforts of the GSB community in navigating a global pandemic, strengthening programmes, and expanding global partnerships.
She closed with a perspective that captured both humility and ambition. “You cannot control your destiny. And thank God for that. Because that means your future is not constrained by the limits of your imagination.”
Six decades, one shared experience
If Duggan’s address looked ahead, the evening’s alumni panel offered a rich reflection across generations. Featuring Bruce Ackerman (MBA 1967), Ian McLean (MBA 1977), Peter Major (MBA 1984), Gordon Laing (MBA 1994/1995), Moira Alexander (MBA 2006), and Agnes Skatulla (MBA 2016), the conversation highlighted both the evolution of the MBA and the enduring nature of the GSB experience.
From handwritten assignments and pre-digital calculations to today’s AI-enabled tools, the contrast in learning environments sparked both humour and insight. Yet the core experience remained strikingly consistent. Academic rigour, tight deadlines, intellectual challenge, and the camaraderie built along the way.
A recurring theme was the diversity of the MBA classroom. As Agnes noted, a class is not simply a group of students, but a collection of different talents, industries, and perspectives, making it both challenging and uniquely valuable.
The panel also reflected on technological disruption. Gordon shared the risks of over-reliance on tools, recalling how earlier technological disruptions such as CAD led to serious and possibly fatal errors when used without the foundational understanding of engineering. The parallel to artificial intelligence was clear. Technology can enhance capability, but it cannot replace critical thinking.
The fireside chat closed with advice to current students and recent graduates, which was both practical and enduring. Move with purpose. Remain curious. Read widely. Focus on what you do uniquely well. Above all, recognise that the MBA is not an endpoint, but the beginning of a lifelong learning journey.
Honouring a legacy of connection
A defining moment of the evening was a tribute to Linda Fasham, whose contribution to the GSB spanned more than four decades.
As Alumni Relations Manager and a cornerstone of the GSB Foundation, Fasham played a central role in building the school’s global alumni community. For generations of students, she was a constant source of support, connection and care.
In reflecting on her legacy, Duggan emphasised the profound impact one individual can have on an institution. Linda’s belief in people and her commitment to community helped shape the GSB into what it is today.
Kosta Kontos, Modular MBA 2010 and current Chairperson of the GSB Alumni Board, shared a personal reflection on Linda’s impact, describing how she created opportunities and connections that shaped his own journey. He also honoured Linda’s family, who were present at the event, by sharing a recent commitment from an anonymous alumnus to fund a full-time scholarship in her name, alongside the establishment of a staff service award to honour her legacy.
The tribute concluded with a bagpipe procession to the courtyard, marking both remembrance and celebration.
A community that endures
The evening closed with a vibrant celebration, bringing together food, music, and shared memories from across the decades. The following day extended the experience into the classroom, with masterclasses led by faculty and alumni across programmes.
This continuation reinforced a central idea that the GSB is not only a place where learning happens, it is a community where learning continues, long after graduation.
Looking ahead
The inaugural Homecoming Weekend marked the beginning of a year of celebration as the GSB turns 60. It also reflects a broader vision for deeper alumni engagement, expanded learning opportunities, and continued global relevance.
As the school enters its next chapter under Duggan’s continued leadership, its growing global recognition is matched by something more enduring: a community grounded in connection, curiosity, and a shared commitment to growth.
For current and future MBA candidates, the message is clear. The value of the GSB extends far beyond the classroom. It lies in the relationships you build, the perspectives you gain and the lifelong journey of learning you begin.
by Shivani Ghai
