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29 August 2024
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Story Anthony Mthembu
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Photo Harmse Photography
Ross van Reenen, CEO of the Toyota Free State Cheetahs.
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.
Protest march planned for Thursday, 6 March 2008
2008-03-06
The management of the University of the Free State (UFS) has not received any applications from any organisation to have a protest march on the Main Campus in Bloemfontein tomorrow (Thursday, 6 March 2008).
Although the university’s management was informed of a national protest march by Nehawu tomorrow (Thursday), we have not been informed of such a march on the Main Campus. The management shares Nehawu’s sentiments to have a protest march and to express their views about the video.
We are aware of Cosatu and outside organisations’ plans to have a protest march tomorrow. The university management also shares their sentiments in this regards.
Our students are currently in a test period which will continue next week as well. It is extremely important to us that calm is restored on campus in order for academic activities to continue as normal.
We are prepared to receive a memorandum at the main gate to the UFS in Nelson Mandela Drive tomorrow (Thursday), but no one will be allowed on campus as no permission for a protest march on campus has been applied for.
Media Release
Issued by: Anton Fisher
Director: Strategic Communication
Tel: 051 401 3422
Cell: 072 207 8334
E-mail: fishera.stg@ufs.ac.za
5 March 2008