MS NONKULULEKO GOBODO
Ms Nonkululeko Gobodo is celebrated as a trailblazer in the South African business and accounting professions. As the CEO of AWAKENED Global, Gobodo’s journey from becoming the first black female Chartered Accountant in South Africa to her current role exemplifies resilience, excellence, and commitment to societal change. Her leadership as the Founding Member and Executive Chairperson of SizweNtsalubaGobodo, now SNG Grant Thornton, highlights her vision of establishing one of South Africa’s largest accounting firms. Gobodo was also the first black female Chairperson of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Her contributions have been recognised through prestigious awards such as the Forbes Woman Africa Businesswoman Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award at the SA Professional Services Awards. Gobodo’s commitment to social justice is evident through her significant impact on transforming the accounting profession in South Africa and advocating for race and gender equality. The ceremony was scheduled for Thursday 4 April. Taken from her speech during the ceremony, these were Gobodo’s words to the graduates: “Congratulations to all of you. I know there are challenges on the way. You went all the way and now you are awarded with the degrees. You take me back to when I received my first degree and I was sitting there just like you, full of hope and expectations that the whole world would open up to me. Self-development is a decision which you personally make because you are the one who has to walk the road. You may ask, ‘what was the secret to my success? The biggest one of them all was to have a vision, as it became a driving force for me,” said Dr Nonkululeko Gobodo. To see Dr Gobodo’s full graduation acceptance speech, click on the following link: https://youtu.be/JqhR6Vg9-r4?t=3942
Ms Nonkululeko-Gobodo
PROF RAPHAEL KAPLINSKY
Professor Raphael Kaplinsky’s academic tenure is marked by a distinguished record of publications, including nine sole-authored books, co-authorship of seventeen books, and numerous articles and book chapters. He has held influential roles at the University of Sussex and the Open University, guiding and influencing generations of scholars and policymakers. Prof Kaplinsky’s commitment to capacity development extends beyond academia, with substantial contributions to policy support and development across continents. His pioneering work on Global Value Chains (GVCs) and sustainable development practices reflects his forward-thinking approach to interdisciplinary research and policymaking. The ceremony was scheduled for Wednesday 17 April. Taken from his speech during the ceremony, these were Professor Raphael Kaplinksy’s words to the graduates: “If you’re going to be engaged scholars, you will have the responsibility to make the world a better place. All of our policy instruments focus on the modern sector, the privileged groups in society and how we get modern industry to go forward when it stares us in the face that modern industry is never going to create the jobs that are necessary to give livelihoods to our population.” To see Professor Raphael Kaplinsky’s full graduation acceptance speech, click on the following link: https://youtu.be/d5aw2kvIswc?t=4296
Prof Kaplinsky at graduation
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ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
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