Marito Rikhotso's MBA journey is a testament to the power of lifelong learning, demonstrating how leadership, innovation and service excellence can transform careers and organisations.

Rikhotso is currently employed as a regional office coordinator at the Unisa Makhado Regional Service Centre, where his role involves a wide range of responsibilities, including managing staff performance, overseeing budgeting processes and developing and implementing the centre's operational plans. He explains that this position demands strong leadership, strategic thinking and a consistent focus on service excellence.

Given these responsibilities, Rikhotso notes that pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) was a natural choice for his professional development. He describes the qualification as the perfect fit, as it provided him with the knowledge and practical skills needed to enhance staff performance management, strengthen customer-centred service delivery and improve strategic planning capabilities.

He explains that his decision to study at the Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL) was influenced by his own experience as a Unisa employee. Having observed the institution from within, he says he has witnessed its strong commitment to academic excellence, particularly through its various postgraduate research support programmes.

Rikhotso highlights that the MBA programme is both intense and demanding, requiring significant dedication, focus and time management. However, he credits his managers for their unwavering support throughout his academic journey, noting that their encouragement enabled him to balance his studies with his professional responsibilities.

He also acknowledges the important role his wife and friends played in motivating him to persevere, especially during challenging moments. Their support, he says, was instrumental in helping him stay focused and committed to completing the programme.

Reflecting on his MBA experience, Rikhotso says he gained valuable knowledge and skills. Among the most impactful were competencies in business and strategic management, customer relationship management, ethical decision-making and people management. He believes these skills have significantly strengthened his professional capacity and leadership potential.

Graduating with an MBA, he adds, is a meaningful milestone that has positioned him for future career growth. It has opened opportunities for leadership advancement, entrepreneurship and the ability to address complex business challenges effectively.

Rikhotso emphasises that he intends to apply the knowledge and skills he has acquired to improve service delivery to Unisa students, promote an ethical workplace culture and contribute to his community. He is particularly passionate about sharing his research skills by assisting postgraduate students in his community.

One of the most valuable lessons he gained from his MBA journey, he says, is the importance of customers in any business. He stresses that customers are the heart of every organisation and should always be treated with respect and care. He believes that even individuals who are not immediate customers should receive the same level of service, as word of mouth can elevate or damage a brand.

Rikhotso, who comes from Mahatlani Village in Limpopo, views his achievement not only as a personal success but also as an opportunity to make a broader impact within his organisation and his community.

* By Talana Lebelo, Alumni Relations Specialist, Unisa SBL