Embarking on studying my Executive Masters in Business Administration (EMBA) with the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB)

This is a journey I have wanted to embark on for a number of years - studying and completed my executive Masters in Business Administration. Such that by the time I completed my application process in 2023, I just had to refresh my application essays from a number of years prior. I am studying at the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) in Cape Town, South Africa. You might think why study at home when there are so many options internationally? I had two things to consider, I wanted a form of in-person contact with the people who were to both lecture and attend the classes on a much more regular basis, without the need to spend so much money in traveling across the globe AND also have the ability to continue my work without taking a break. UCT was my answer, having already studied for my undergrad and postgrad studies with them, I had a sense of the standards that I was going to have to live up to in order to be successful. I also wanted to network base that was accessible to me on a much more regular basis in South Africa.

The journey has been testing, bewildering at times but certainly fulfilling. I have been introduced to concepts that are definitely applicable in my line of work, Systems Thinking, Thinking Environment amongst others and something much closer to my home, Financial Analysis. People would normally say that it is best to take this journey before one has too many commitments, like children. I cannot speak for that. I know for myself, not having kids has not made it any easier, I already had other commitments that needed to open space for my studies. Regardless of your starting set of commitments, you will have to make drastic adjustments. Especially in preparation for one to grasp new concepts. I am grateful for the support of my wife and my colleagues to this point - they have both shown a great deal of understanding in assisting me with my work and also making available time for me to focus on my studies. I have had the greatest of pleasures of being grouped with a set of people who are very down-to-earth, highly learned, who bring their personalities into the room but know how to open space for other people.

They are all from different backgrounds to mine, which I find extremely rewarding - we have called ourselves The Invincibles. In light of the sacrifices that we knew would need to be made, we committed that nothing would hold us back, we would put in the work and be available for one another across all times. And as if to be prophetic, we have collectively experienced such a mixed bag of experiences since we have known one another and what I have taken from it is how strong our wills can be is far more so when we go through difficult experiences than in happy times. The resolve has been exemplary to watch, and I reiterate, I have been blessed to be in the same group with the brothers and sisters. Amongst the unexpected highlights for me has been the unconventional lecturing styles for one of teh subjects taken by Chris Breen. He is confrontational, up in your face, does not care about your ego and his main aim is to transform the way we behave (heart) rather than focus on what we know (mental). Although he would most likely have an issue with me referring to his focus as something that deals with the heart rather than the mind. I look forward to many other experiences that will come with the journey.