A: It is not just business education of course – it is education and learning in general, at school, university, government, work, in the family and in society. But a good business creates all the services, goods, products and experiences that create a good life for us and allows us to live well and move out of poverty. Business education is far more than focusing on the institutions of business. It is about doing good work, solving big problems, being accountable, honest, thinking intelligently and working together well, keeping us safe, warm, fed, healthy, avoiding damaging conflict and having a quality of life that we would like our children to grow into. If we develop a generation of people who are skilled, able to take their place in international companies and contribute to them, who are technologically enabled and whose minds are educated towards the extraordinary potential that they often have, then we will build the organisations, new ventures, better service provision that will build South Africa – and Africa and beyond. It is for this reason that business education is so important in South Africa. It is the bedrock, catalyst and most powerful energiser of our future quality of life. And the organisations and institutions that should provide this inspired education are business schools. Perhaps not the business schools of today but the fast-moving, evolving creative business schools of tomorrow.

A: What we are discovering more and more is that we cannot leave people behind, whether in business, government or family life, without facing – sooner or later – devastating consequences. If I’ve learned one thing in half a life spent in the business school environment, is that on balance, optimism is justified. I have seen many examples, improbable stories, of people lifting themselves against gut-churning odds to become educated, activist, positive, effective leaders and examples, not to understand that the human instinct is to grow and improve, more than it is to destroy and take. Consistent attention to education by individuals, corporations, government and society will tap into raw intelligence, creativity and drive people in Africa to build better and healthier businesses and so transform our societies.

A: Great question! (Please ask this to every institution that offers a Master’s level qualification)

Short Answer: Henley’s MBA is made up of our 200 credits, all at NQF 9.

Longer Answer: Master’s level qualifications require 180 credits to be recognised by the various accreditation bodies.

In South Africa, MBA’s are allowed to be made of up 120 credits at NQF 9 and another 60 credits at NQF 8. This allowance has provided the opportunity for some institutions to design offerings that create the impression that their MBAs run over a shorter period than others. These are also marketed in a specific way.

Our recommendation is to consider carefully the make-up of the Master’s programme you are interested in, particularly the level on which the credits are divided. A Master’s programme is an NQF 9 offering.