College of Economic & Management Sciences

CEMS Research Day: "Proudly African, Globally Relevant"

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The College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS) at Unisa recently hosted a compelling Research and Innovation Day under the theme "Proudly African, Globally Relevant". The event showcased Unisa’s commitment to celebrating African excellence while addressing global challenges through research, collaboration and innovation.

Rooted in the university’s overarching vision, namely "to become the African university shaping futures in the service of humanity", the event emphasised strategic alignment with Africa’s developmental goals and the global knowledge economy. "Unisa's vision guides our strategic planning and actions, aiming to serve the African continent and the broader global community by addressing educational and developmental problems, and fostering partnerships to help achieve people's dreams," said Dr Nthabeleng Mmako, Acting Head of the Office for Graduate Studies and Research at CEMS.

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Quinton Zunga, Chief Executive Officer of RH Managers and RH Bophelo, delivering the keynote address

Delivering the keynote address, Quinton Zunga, Chief Executive Officer of RH Managers and RH Bophelo, drew from both history and personal experience to emphasise Africa’s capacity for innovation and resilience, particularly in the health sector. "Africa’s story," he said, "is neither an invention or a borrowed input, it is a deeply historic, generationally adaptive in so many ways; some would say more adaptive to some global methods. We often compare ourselves to a lot of emerging western frameworks. We often measure ourselves as developing but one has to consider that in health care, deeply developed systems came from local understanding both on medical values and care systems."

He further reflected on Africa’s legacy of medical knowledge: "From the medicines of Ashanti to pre-colonial healing guides of the Great Lake, African medicine was governed by systems of evidence, peer training, and spiritual ethics long before status books arrived."

Zunga emphasised the importance of documenting these knowledge systems – not to replace modern methods, but to enrich them: "These primitive systems must be documented, for them to carry a local character but a very global relevance. We are not replacing but amplifying our healthcare systems in nine provinces." His business journey is a testament to his message. As the founder and CEO of RH Managers, a 100% black-owned private equity firm managing R6 billion in assets, Zunga has led the development of 30 private hospitals and contributed to public healthcare improvements, including a 500-bed academic hospital under development in Limpopo. His healthcare investments have created over 3 000 jobs and supported more than 50 SMMEs, reaffirming the value of locally driven solutions with global impact.

In reinforcing the event’s academic and developmental relevance, Mmako said: "As CEMS, our research is innovative, engaging and practical. Engagements like today's are an important bridge and pathway between us and our society, industry partners and our students."


The theme "Proudly African, Globally Relevant" was explored through four core pillars:

  1. Reaffirming African identity – demonstrating Africa’s capability to solve its own problems and contribute globally
  2. Promoting collaboration – encouraging intellectual exchange between academia, industry and communities
  3. Reshaping perceptions – affirming Africa’s rightful place in the global innovation landscape
  4. Empowering future generations – inspiring young researchers to take pride in their roots while aiming for global excellence

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Bongiwe Nzeku, Head of Business Development and Support Services at the South African National Convention Bureau

The programme also featured insights from Bongiwe Nzeku, Head of Business Development and Support Services at the South African National Convention Bureau, who emphasised aligning academic knowledge with practical strategies to advance economic development.

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From left: Dr Mantepu MaseTshaba, Acting Executive Dean, CEMS; Bongiwe Nzeku, Head of Business Development and Support Services at the South African National Convention Bureau; Quinton Zunga, Chief Executive Officer of RH Managers and RH Bophelo; and Prof Nthabiseng Moraka, Director, School of Management Sciences, CEMS

Dr MaseTshaba Mantepu, Acting Executive Dean of CEMS, reminded attendees of the symbolic importance of the month: "When we talk about the Africa we want, we need to define it," she said. Reflecting on Africa Month, she added: "It’s about being proudly African and confidently global."


Watch a recording of the event

 

* By Tebogo Mahlaela, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Economic and Management Sciences

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Publish date: 2025-06-04 00:00:00.0

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