SBL Turns 60!

2025 promises to be an epic year as UNISA’s Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL) turns 60. To kick off the celebrations, we are proud to unveil our 60^th birthday logo, which pays homage to UNISA’s vision to become the African university shaping futures in the service of humanity while reinforcing SBL’s vision to be the leading business school in Africa, trusted to create leaders of distinction. This is demonstrated by a design that honours the African continent. SBL’s 60^th birthday logo also reminds us that without UNISA’s 150-year legacy, SBL would not be celebrating 60 years of excellence in business leadership education.

An anniversary is generally associated with a corresponding gemstone, and for this special anniversary, it is the diamond. Like a diamond that is forged from intense heat and pressure, SBL has demonstrated admirable resilience throughout South Africa’s tumultuous history. Formerly a department within the then Faculty of Commerce and Administration, SBL came into existence in 1965 when a decision was taken to establish a business school with the Master of Business Leadership (MBL) degree as its flagship programme.

The birth of SBL came a short while after the occurrence of events which would scar the landscape of the country for decades to come. Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was only one year into what would ultimately be 27 years of imprisonment, having been sentenced to life imprisonment just one year prior, in 1964. The Sharpeville Massacre had occurred only five years prior, in 1960. The establishment of SBL came as a beacon of hope for the University of South Africa, just like a diamond would surface and herald prosperity after lava has scarred the surface of the earth. SBL has not only survived but it has also thrived throughout South Africa’s changing economic, technological, social, physical, and political landscape over the past six decades. Most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic yet again demonstrated SBL’s resilience and solidified UNISA’s place as a leader in Open and Distance e-Learning by pivoting seamlessly to online and hybrid tuition and assessment platforms.

In this very auspicious year, the diamond stands ready to shine in spectacular fashion as international accreditation becomes a very real and imminent prospect for SBL. There can be no greater celebration of longevity, impact, and excellence over 60 years than being awarded a coveted stamp of approval from an international accreditation body such as the Business Graduates Association (BGA). SBL has been abuzz with activity since the beginning of the year, both in preparation for the BGA accreditation final stage and in celebration of our 60^th anniversary. The first round of study schools has just been completed, and during each study school, students were exposed to industry experts, esteemed alumni, leadership book authors, leadership masterclasses, and cocktail networking events. SBL continues to demonstrate intent in advancing UNISA’s legacy and excellence. We invite all Unisans to join us in celebrating our 60^th anniversary.

Compiled by Thami Kaunda, SBL Communication Specialist