South Africa has a new chairwoman at the helm of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). My esteemed colleague, Dr. Karen Stander, a senior lecturer in the Department of Business Management at Unisa’s College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS), has stepped into a role riddled with complexities. Yet, her appointment, while worth celebrating—also signals something more troubling: the ever-persistent reality of the glass cliff. Dr. Stander’s appointment by the Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, as…

In recent years, universities have come under scrutiny for adopting an authoritarian leadership style and culture characterised by hierarchy, command-and-control decision-making, and rigid adherence to authority. This leadership, inspired by authoritarian efficiency, poses significant challenges when applied to academic institutions. Universities, as hubs of knowledge and creativity, require leadership styles that align with their unique missions of fostering critical thinking, innovation, and inclusivity. An authoritarian leadership style thrives on hierarchy, discipline, and a clear chain of command. While such structures…

South Africa has a long-standing tradition of publish matric results in newspapers. In early January every year, many parents and their children wait anxiously for the publishing of matric results. Questions should be asked about the continued relevance of this tradition, even though it once symbolized transparency and accountability.  We live in a time when mental health, privacy and equity are top priorities, as such, it might be both harmful and outdated to disseminate matric results publicly. One of the…

In an era where workplace wellbeing is central to employee productivity and satisfaction, traditional approaches to mental and physical health are not always sufficient. For many African employees, healing and well-being extend beyond Western medical practices and tap into ancestral, spiritual, and traditional health systems. These beliefs play a significant role in the lives of a substantial number of African employees who rely on traditional health practitioners (THPs), such as sangomas or herbalists, for guidance, healing, and balance. To create truly inclusive workplace…