A decade ago, I chose to make a significant career change, moving from the relatively contained world of medical practice to the dynamic world of social innovation.
It all started with a compelling vision—a vision detailed in the draft chapter on HIV and TB in the National Development Plan (NDP), which the Governing Body Foundation of South Africa asked me to review for its relevance to schools. The chapter beautifully articulates schools as centres of community and care, places where health and education intersect to create holistic environments for growth. This vision resonated deeply with me, sparking a desire to see it realised.
When I discovered Citizen Leader Lab, I knew that I found an organisation that shared this vision. Inspired, I took the decision to leave my medical practice and join the organisation in the capacity of Stakeholder Engagement Lead. My role was all about forging connections—building relationships with stakeholders who could support and amplify the work of Citizen Leader Lab. This involved mobilising both personal and financial support from corporate partners interested in active citizenship, education and leadership development. I spent considerable time engaging with Corporate South Africa, seeking both financial backing and active participation from business leaders in our immersive, real-world leadership development programmes.
In addition to corporate engagement, I also interacted with the Department of Basic Education, the philanthropic sector and numerous civil society organisations. These relationships provided me with invaluable insights into the extensive and varied efforts in education across the country. It became increasingly clear that many of these efforts were insufficiently recognised by the majority of South Africans. At the time, the prevailing negative messaging about education in South Africa left many people feeling disheartened and powerless to effect change – while in fact there were actually an extraordinary number of initiatives towards which people’s interest and goodwill could be directed.
Based on these insights, Citizen Leader Lab wanted to make it easier for business leaders to have a first-hand experience not only of our own work, but also of the passion and purpose which many educators bring to the challenges faced by their schools. Our hope was to bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and practical engagement, making it easier for potential supporters to get excited and involved – both with Citizen Leader Lab’s offerings and with public sector education in general.
This shared passion led to the creation of Execs Back to School, an event born from a collaboration between Sphere Holdings and Citizen Leader Lab. Sphere Holdings CEO Itumeleng Kgaboesele, an alumnus of Citizen Leader Lab, wanted to give business leaders a glimpse into the impact of our work. His goal was to help them experience the profound benefits before committing to the year-long, intensive Leaders for Education programme, which partners school principals and business leaders.
Now in its fifth year, Execs Back to School has become a significant event on the annual business calendar, providing the South African business community a chance to engage in meaningful conversations – with the benefit of firsthand exposure to real-school conditions – about the importance of education and the significant contributions that they can make.
This year we are inviting business leaders to consider how the education system affects their operations and the country’s future workforce by asking, What effect do public education outcomes have on your bottom line – and how can you influence this? This question is not just about identifying challenges, but also about recognising the complex responses required to address them.
We will demonstrate this by hosting the Execs Back to School experience at inner city schools across the country. Participants will see for themselves how a Leaders for Education partnership at the school has continued for over a decade, and how the relationship between the school principal and business leader continues to grow year on year following their initial participation. This partnership demonstrates that, ultimately, focusing on the school environment and culture is key to achieving results.
Citizen Leader Lab supports leaders across society in learning how to navigate the far side of complexity. They develop a practical understanding that solutions to complex issues like education and leadership development are not simple or quick. Instead, it requires a willingness to embrace uncertainty, challenge assumptions and engage in a continuous learning process. This journey may seem daunting, but it is also deeply rewarding and powerfully liberating. It requires vulnerability, patience and a long-term commitment to understanding and addressing the root causes of challenging issues and contexts.
While it may be tempting to seek quick fixes, real impact lies in embracing the complexity we experience as a country and committing to a sustained effort towards positive change. As more people understand and engage with this process, we hope to progressively shift collective perceptions and nurture simple solutions.
My role with Citizen Leader Lab has been about fostering a deeper understanding of how we can support local learning ecosystems – specifically at the level of school and community – and build stronger, more resilient communities. It has been about inviting others to join this journey, to see beyond the surface and to commit to the hard but necessary work of true transformation.
Even after stepping down from my operational role in 2020 to extend the scope of my interest in learning ecosystems, I remain committed to the mission of Citizen Leader Lab. I continue to serve on the Board and champion the excellent work that this team does for our country.
About Citizen Leader Lab
Citizen Leader Lab, a leadership development and support Public Benefit Organisation, is dedicated to creating resilient leaders in both the public and private sectors. Our vision is Leadership that builds a better future for all.
We offer a variety of programmes and workshops that work towards large-scale social change in South Africa, that empower individuals to be effective leaders and change agents in their communities. With over 14 years of experience, we continue to grow our presence in the education sector and extend our influence into critical public sectors, promoting cross-sector collaboration, active citizenship and social cohesion.
