Protected: Breaking the MBA mould, A radical rethink of business education for the real world
Segran Nair, Director of Milpark Business School.
This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mail & Guardian
36 minutes ago
- Mail & Guardian
Malema: Zuma's MK party wants to undermine EFF under the guise of ‘black unity'
EFF leader Julius Malema Economic Freedom Fighters leader Zuma has been advocating for the unification of so-called black parties to challenge the ANC and the On Wednesday Malema said Zuma was being hypocritical, given that his own MK party was founded quite recently (in December 2023). 'If you wanted to call for unity of people, you should have joined the EFF and not formed a parallel organisation,' Malema said outside the home of Malema questioned why the EFF was often the target of such calls for the unification of 'black parties'. 'Why is this unity of black parties only directed at the EFF? They never complain that the 'Every time it's the EFF. We are not going to allow that. You can see it's not black unity; it's an agenda to destroy the EFF. Why are they not giving you a report about black unity with the Parties such as The relationship between the two parties On Wednesday Malema said he would not work with Shivambu and did not want to involve himself in his problems, referring to 'Where was he going? He is not our problem. We are in parliament, we are working in parliament. If he comes into parliament, he will find us rolling,' Malema said of his former second-in-command's fate. 'The parliament now is run by young people; young people are running that thing. If he comes there and thinks he can impose himself on them, they are already ready for him. You can be rest assured that he will not do anything to undermine the superior logic of the EFF in that parliament.' Malema said his party would not be intimidated by the experience Shivambu brings to parliament for the MK party. 'If you are saying this person is going to be a holy spirit and be in every committee and boost the MK's presence in those committees, it's practically impossible,' he said. 'We do our work not because we want to outshine everyone but because we genuinely believe in this work and put a lot of effort into researching what we are going to speak about [in parliament].'
The Herald
2 hours ago
- The Herald
Young doctors and dentists offered free medical aid cover for a year
Young doctors and dentists making the tough transition from study to practice are eligible for 12 months of free medical aid cover from Profmed. The medical scheme said eligible candidates must be under the age of 30, must have completed community service in the past two years and are either unemployed or have found work within the previous six months. The initiative is linked to finDR, a digital platform launched by Profmed to connect newly qualified medical professionals with job placements across the country as locums and in permanent positions. More than 800 qualified doctors are on the platform. 'This isn't only about benefits,' said Profmed CEO Craig Comrie. 'It's about ensuring young professionals don't fall through the cracks. 'We've heard from far too many doctors who, after years of study and community service, are left without work, income or the ability to access private health care. That's unacceptable.' This comes amid concerns about the pressure young doctors work under, prompting a call for healthcare professionals to recognise the risk of burnout and depression by Dr Bavi Vythilingum, a psychiatrist practising at a Netcare Akeso clinic in Kenilworth, Cape Town. 'It is deeply concerning that at least 50% to 60% of healthcare professionals will experience depression at some point during their working lives. Junior doctors are particularly vulnerable, and their risk for depression and burnout seems to be increasing. 'One of the factors that contributes to burnout is work overload as doctors are expected to do more and more within the same amount of time.
Mail & Guardian
4 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
A prescription for Gauteng's health: Generics, state pharma and the power of local
Generic medicine produced locally are the cornerstone of affordable healthcare. In the heart of Gauteng, where the pulse of South Africa's healthcare system beats loudest, a quiet revolution is overdue. It's not about high-tech hospitals or billion-rand budgets. It's about generics, local pharmaceutical manufacturing and the untapped potential of small businesses. If we're serious about equitable healthcare, we must rethink how we produce, price and provide medicine. Generics, the unsung heroes Generic medicines are chemically identical to their branded counterparts but are sold at a fraction of the price. They are the cornerstone of affordable healthcare globally. In South Africa, where the cost of living continues to rise and public hospitals face chronic shortages, generics offer a lifeline. Yet, despite their proven efficacy, generics remain underutilised and under-promoted. Why? Because the pharmaceutical market is still skewed in favour of brand-name monopolies, often protected by patent extensions and marketing muscle. Meanwhile, patients in Gauteng are forced to choose between paying for transport to clinics and buying essential medication out of pocket. The single exit price (SEP) policy, introduced to regulate medicine pricing, has helped standardise costs across the private sector. But it has also inadvertently squeezed out smaller players and discouraged innovation. While SEP has made medicines more affordable, it has not addressed the deeper structural issues that limit access — chief among them, our reliance on imported drugs and the lack of local manufacturing capacity. More than a factory Imagine a state-owned pharmaceutical company — not as a bureaucratic behemoth, but as a strategic engine for public health. Such an entity could prioritise the production of essential generics, stabilise supply chains, and reduce dependence on imports. It could also serve as a price anchor in a volatile market, ensuring that life-saving drugs remain within reach for all South Africans. India's model offers a compelling precedent. By allowing local manufacturers to produce generics even when patents exist elsewhere, India has become the world's largest supplier of affordable medicines. South Africa, with its scientific talent and industrial base, could do the same — if we had the political will. A state pharmaceutical company could also play a critical role in addressing medicine shortages, particularly for antibiotics and chronic disease treatments. These shortages are not just logistical failures — they are symptoms of a system that prioritises profit over public health. A state-led approach could ensure that essential medicines are always available, especially in underserved areas. The missing link in local pharma Gauteng is home to a vibrant ecosystem of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), many of which are eager to enter the pharmaceutical space. But they face steep barriers: regulatory red tape, lack of financing and an uneven playing field dominated by multinational giants. Supporting these SMEs isn't just good economics — it's smart health policy. Local businesses can respond faster to regional needs, create jobs and build resilient supply chains. With targeted incentives, training and procurement support, these enterprises could become the backbone of a home-grown pharmaceutical sector. Moreover, SMEs are often more agile and innovative than their larger counterparts. They are well-positioned to develop niche products, explore green manufacturing practices and collaborate with academic institutions on research and development. But without access to capital and streamlined regulatory pathways, their potential remains untapped. South Africa imports the vast majority of its active pharmaceutical ingredients, making us vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions. The Covid-19 pandemic exposed this fragility in stark terms. Delays in vaccine procurement, shortages of basic medicines and inflated prices were all consequences of our overreliance on foreign suppliers. Local production is not just about economic sovereignty — it's about health security. By investing in domestic manufacturing, we can ensure a steady supply of essential medicines, reduce costs and create high-skilled jobs. Gauteng, with its industrial infrastructure and access to research institutions, is the ideal hub for such an initiative. But local production must be accompanied by regulatory reform. The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority must streamline its approval processes and provide clear guidance for new entrants. Delays in drug registration not only stifle innovation — they cost lives. We need a three-pronged strategy: normalise generics through public education, prescriber incentives and regulatory support. Patients must be empowered to ask for generics and healthcare providers must be incentivised to prescribe them. Establish a state pharmaceutical entity focused on essential medicines and public health priorities. This entity should operate transparently, with clear mandates and measurable outcomes. Empower local businesses with access to capital, streamlined licensing and inclusion in public procurement. Government tenders should prioritise local manufacturers, especially those producing high-demand generics. Additionally, we must invest in skills development. Young South Africans should be trained in pharmaceutical sciences, regulatory affairs and supply-chain management. A thriving local industry requires not just factories, but a skilled workforce to run them. The bigger picture The pharmaceutical industry is not just about pills and patents — it's about power. Who controls the supply of medicine controls the health of a nation. For too long, that power has rested in the hands of a few multinational corporations. It's time to reclaim it. The Covid-19 pandemic taught us that health is a public good, not a private commodity. It also taught us that resilience comes from within. By embracing generics, supporting local businesses and establishing a state pharmaceutical company, we can build a healthcare system that is not only more affordable but more just. It's time to stop importing solutions and start manufacturing them. Fentse Maseko works for the pharmacy and pharmacology department at the University of Witwatersrand and is a PhD applicant.
