SABC Chief Executive Officer and the Central University of Technology Alumni, Madoda Mxakwe delivered the keynote address at the 2022 Autumn Graduation Ceremony. Focusing on leadership, Mxakwe began by listing all the great leaders the CUT has produced over the years who have positively impacted society.

Having been privileged to live and work in different communities, Mxakwe has applied all these lessons to realise his achievements. “I’ve been privileged to lead diverse teams with various orientations and the lessons that I will share with you today are insights that are uniquely mine, but anybody can apply them. And what I will share with you today is meant to provoke your thoughts and challenge you and evoke something very deep in the recesses of your soul and prepare you for whatever journey you are pursuing academically in your various corporate life or business,” said Mxakwe.

He highlighted that success takes time. “I know I’m talking mostly to a generation that wants things instantaneously, everything has to be now, but this model of success does not last. In my journey I’ve found that you will be nurtured and hidden for many years before being unleashed into prominence or popularity, because and young people need to know this; you need to build your character, fortify your faith, create shock absorbers for all of life’s challenges that you will inevitably encounter. That’s why its important, particularly in the corporate sector, we want people that have been able to build key core functional capabilities. We live in what is now being called the vocal world, and in order to thrive in that world, we need professionals and executives that have been properly equipped to deal with these problems,” he added.

Mxakwe encouraged the graduates to ask themselves ‘what more can they give’, which will help separate them from any other graduate in their field. “People say opportunity loves preparation. When it comes to preparation, even in the fields you have no clue about you have to be the most prepared and well-read person in the room because you just never know when that opportunity will come to you. One of the best characteristics of a secure, mature and strong leader is to surround yourself with people that know better than you do.”

“If you really want to build a legacy that will uplift this and the next generation, you have to build things that will take the community, your career and our country to the next level. In this country, we need people of solid values, so what should direct you is your moral compass. Integrity is key for where we are and where we’re going as a country,” he concluded.

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SABC CEO and CUT Alumni, Madoda Mxakwe delivered the keynote address on Leadership at the 2022 Autumn Graduation Ceremony, held in Welkom.