The Tertiary School in Business Administration was founded as a private, not-for-profit initiative that seeks to “ignite opportunity” for talented young people without the means to study further. TSiBA offers a Foundation Year followed by an accredited Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership.
One of their first graduates, Khanyisa Mtombeni, was awarded a Mandela Rhodes scholarship in 2009 and this year TSiBA produced two more, Asanda Dodi and Siyabonga Gobingca. Here is what Asanda had to say: “Being awarded the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is both an honour and inspiration. The scholarship has proved to me that there is a vast amount of young people who believe in education as a tool for transformation; and who are passionate and dedicated to improving Leadership in Africa. TSiBA has ignited so many opportunities for me. The time and effort that TSiBA dedicates to each individual student is remarkable and exemplary. I'm glad to have shared in its vision for leadership.”
Siyabonga went on to comment: "The fact that I have been awarded the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship is proof that anything is possible. From the start the TSiBA family was supportive and enthusiastic throughout. I have just been to the first MRF leadership retreat and had a chance to interact with other young leaders. Without a doubt the process to getting here was worth it.”
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship was established by Madiba to identify and support Africa's next generation of leaders. Only 30 scholarships were awarded for 2010 and applicants were open to graduates from all 24 of South Africa's public universities as well as students from 15 other African countries.
Says Managing Director and co-founder, Leigh Meinert, “Our model has always been to high quality education in a focused manner to young people with leadership potential. Since we opened our doors in 2005 we've grown from 80 to 260 students, all of whom have been provided with full tuition scholarships. To have produced three Mandela Rhodes scholars in such a short time is a very significant endorsement of our model which relies on corporate and voluntary support to ensure that talented young people like Asanda and Siyabonga are not lost to our country.”
TSiBA's other graduates have gone on to work for blue chip corporate sponsors including Oceana Group Ltd, British American Tobacco, Old Mutual and JP Morgan. Their successes are noteworthy in the light of current concerns about youth unemployment, the high costs of tertiary education and poor throughput rates.
Mandela Rhodes Scholarships Manager Theresa Daniels wrote, “We would like to congratulate TSiBA on the calibre of candidates sent forward by your institution. The quality of the shortlisted candidates was outstanding and the Selection Committee had a very tough task in selecting the 2010 Scholars.”
