Former Vice-President of the Minerals Council South Africa and former Executive Head for Anglo American South Africa Andile Sangqu has been appointed as the Executive-in-Residence (EIR) at the University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) for 2020.

The GIBS EIR programme allows experienced C-suite industry leaders to immerse themselves in the business school environment to interact with faculty and students, serve as a mentor and advisor and enrich the learning experience. Last year’s EIR was former Microsoft SA Managing Director Zoaib Hoosen whose work centered on digital transformation, innovation as well education and development of leadership skills in young people. The EIR programme aims to provide students with a window into the real world of business by learning through the successes of these chosen business leaders.

Sangqu brings a wealth of experience from a career spanning over 20 years in various management positions as well as serving on boards at JSE-listed companies. He will guest lecture on various GIBS programmes, delving into business topics such as strategic decision-making, implementation and leadership. Sangqu hopes during his tenure as EIR, he will impart leadership lessons that he has developed over the years and be at the forefront of coaching future leaders at GIBS. He believes in values-based leadership and looking at ways to expand the role of business in today’s ever changing context.

Sangqu said, “I am looking forward to this new journey as I look to reset and explore new vistas. Being in a space like GIBS is a perfect platform for me to not only share my leadership journey with students and faculty, it is my hope that we will be able to go beyond that and come up with tangible solutions to the challenges that the country is currently grappling with.

“My association with GIBS is long-standing, what GIBS seeks to achieve is aligned to my values and principles. The energy is palpable and motivates individuals to soar to greater heights.”

Sangqu added, “I am honoured to be part of this institution and hope for a fruitful and collaborative learning experience as I also seek to enhance my own leadership potential whilst pursuing my PhD.”

Dean of GIBS Professor Nicola Kleyn said, “We are privileged to have somebody of Andile’s stature in our midst. We hope the students and faculty alike will be able to tap into his experience and garner as much information as they can in order to amplify their learning experience.

“We are grateful to the former EIR, Zoaib, for his immense contribution to GIBS in 2019. He not only taught on a number of programmes but also gave valuable guidance to the school,” added Prof Kleyn. His work with GIBS has not come to an end, as of March 2020 he has been appointed to the GIBS Advisory Board.