Rhodes University Business School hosted South African Public protector Thuli Madonsela at Barratt Lecture theatre to present the Archbishop Thabo Mkgoba trust annual lecture on 25 September 2015. This lecture which comes after Madonsela received her honorary doctorate from Rhodes University in April 2015, was aimed at introducing the young leaders of the future to the concept of Values Based Leadership.
“Tonight is a historical occasion in the life of Rhodes Business School as we also celebrate our 15th anniversary,” said Director of Rhodes Business School Professor Owen Skae. “This inaugural lecture is made possible through an endowment from the Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust.” Skae went on to introduce the Archbishop, who was in attendance, explaining that at the time of his appointment he was the youngest ever Archbishop following in the footsteps of Archbishop Tutu.
Once Skae had introduced and thanked the Archbishop he turned to Modonsela to introduce her to the eager audience. “We have the privilege and the pleasure of a very special woman, advocate Thulisile Nomkhosi Madonsela, who was appointed by the president as South Africa’s third Public Protector in October 2009,” said Skae. “This comes after Madonsela was recommended by parliament following a hundred percent vote in her favour by all parties represented in Parliament.” Skae went on to add that perhaps this unanimous vote was the first and possibly the last in South Africa.
“I am sincerely honoured and greatful to Archbishop Thabo Makgoba and family as well as Rhodes University for the opportunity to present the lecture and it is gratifying to be here once again,” said Madonsela. “The last time I was here was when the University bestowed on me the third of four honorary degrees which I have received in the last few years.”
As part of her introduction Madonsela applauded Archbishop Makgoba and the Trust for the transformational work that is being done. “The opportunity to present the lecture offers me a cherished opportunity to be associated with one of our country’s leaders whose life is a book on walking the talk on values based leadership,” said Madonsela. “Apart from the known facts that include speaking truth to power Bishop Makgoba has walked the talk when called upon to enforce values of integrity and broader good governance in his institution.”
Once Madonsela got underway with her lecture she explained the importance of Ubuntu by stating that if we push others to the edge of society they eventually have nothing to lose if they turn against it. “We need to remind ourselves that our constitution is our greatest heritage,” said Madonsela. “The constitution is our objective lifestyle, directing us to the South Africa which is inclusive based of social justice, human dignity, the free potential of all persons and the improved quality of life of all. The core of constitutional value is human dignity which is underpinned as the constitutional court said by the value of Ubuntu.”
In the rest of her lecture Madonsela explained why values based leadership is important to everyone and not just in work settings, how it exists within her workplace at the Public protector office and to end off gave the audience examples of how the values based leadership at the Public Protector office has benefited the community.
Madonsela ended off by explaining how excited she is that there were young people in her audience. “I can see in this room that there are young people,” said Madonsela. “This means that we are targeting leaders at all levels of society and I am excited that this s generating the seeds that we need to take our society to the next level of development.”
After her lecture Madonsela answered a few questions from her audience. Once the question answer section had concluded President of Rhodes Business School, Mark Bense, gave a vote of thanks and handed Business school student Liane Petzer an award for her efforts I her field.
The evening ended merrily with high school and university students lining up to take pictures with Madonsela.
By Thandi Bombi