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CEO of Toyota Free State Cheetahs delivers guest lecture during UFS visit

29 August 2024 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Harmse Photography

The Business School at the University of the Free State (UFS) recently hosted the CEO of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, Ross van Reenen, for a guest lecture. Van Reenen presented the guest lecture in the Business School Auditorium on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus on 21 August 2024.

Reflecting on Van Reenen’s address

In a lecture addressed to an auditorium filled with UFS staff and students, Van Reenen’s talk was divided into several sections. Firstly, he spoke about the concept of the ‘black swan’ in reference to the book written by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, titled The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable. Referring to Taleb’s book, Van Reenen defined a ‘black swan’ as a rare event that has a severe impact, and the occurrence of which people try to explain. He used some examples to explore this concept as well as its implications, including COVID-19 and its impact on the world, and the tragic death of the people in the Titanic disaster. However, he delved deeper into 9/11 and the extent of its impact, saying that “9/11 was a major wake-up call in the world economy”. Van Reenen highlighted how some companies such as Barclays, for which he previously consulted, had to work to be up and running after the collapse of the Twin Towers in 9/11.

In addition, Van Reenen’s lecture also touched on the importance of the first ninety days of a job after an individual has been employed. “Those first ninety days are crucial, as you have to establish yourself in a company where you are paid less than you are worth,” Van Reenen said. As such, he gave the audience insight into what they could focus on in that time frame. This includes focusing on the small wins, as well as ensuring that you are working at keeping the team together, as the team is an integral part of an organisation.

Van Reenen concluded his address by speaking about his time as the CEO of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs, including some of the decisions he took to ensure the success of the organisation.

News Archive

Goodbye SIFE, hello Enactus

2013-05-01

The Kovsies Enactus team
24 May 2013
Photo: Linda Fekisi

The Students in Free Enterprise, better known as SIFE, has changed its brand name to Enactus. This global rebranding took place late last year. It forms part of an attempt to increase the organisation’s level of reach and impact. It reflects that entrepreneurial action is not something that is relevant to a single culture or nationality.

The organisation is still in essence one which assists university students to create community empowerment projects. The Kovsies Enactus team has 53 active members on the Bloemfontein Campus.

“We encourage student development through Enactus. It is a great platform for students. There is a combination of ideas, expertise and diversity from different faculties,” says the Vice-Chairperson of internal affairs, Mirriam Matsoaboli.

Enactus is currently working on three major projects: Local Economic Development (LED) and Edcon, Shifting Focus, and an environmental project. LED works with 19 established businesses which are struggling to make a profit while Edcon deals with three designers in textile and clothes making. Shifting Focus forms part of the educational division. It focuses on instilling entrepreneurial skills in high school learners. The Enactus team serves as a mentoring structure and advises them. The environmental project is in its infant stage, with. Enactus working on recycling bottles and paper, especially old study guides on campus.

“Having a branch on the QwaQwa campus has also been one of our objectives. We are still in the process of establishing one,” adds Mirriam.

The Enactus team is currently preparing for the national competitions which will take place later in Sandton on 10 and 11 July.

Students tell us about your association and we will profile it on our Kovsielife page. Contact Amanda Tongha at tonghaa@ufs.ac.za

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