Leadership has been highlighted as an area of importance within MANCOSA in terms of academic leadership, investment, development, staff appointments, research and publications. In an effort to broaden leadership knowledge and implement leadership strategies within the institution, a monthly leadership lecture series was initiated and it is facilitated by MANCOSA’s Centre for Women Leadership. The lectures encapsulate a broad range of contemporary leadership related topics, the most recent entitled ‘Strategic sourcing, Africa’s industrialization long term socio-economic development and stability: The inextricable link.’
The lecture was delivered by Africa’s first ever appointed Professor Extraordinaire for Supply and Value Chain Management (SBL UNISA), Prof Douglas Boateng at the Chota Motala Auditorium on Thursday 26th May, 2016. Prof Boateng is well known for his contribution to the advancement of local and international aspects of supply chain management and has been publicly acknowledged by leading institutions for his ongoing contribution to international procurement, supply chain development and governance. The lecture, a joint event between Mancosa [GSB] and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), commenced with a welcome by Mr Indrasen Moodley from MANCOSA and a statement from Mr Andre Coetzee of CIPS.
In his lecture, Prof Boateng reiterated that while the rest of the world is strategically sourcing from Africa for long term economic development, Africans are generally buying from the rest of the world for short term gains. According to Prof Boateng, over 78% of the goods and services bought by the public sector in Africa originates outside the continent. For instance, over 85% of the shoes and 90% of the clothes, vests and underpants worn by Africans originates from outside the continent and from countries such as India, China, USA and Turkey. As such, Africans continue to spend more USD than any other region in the world on buying goods and services produced outside the continent. He also showcased a number of items such as toothpicks, mosquito coils, chocolates and biscuits, which he said could have easily been made in Africa, yet they were imported from countries like China. He said this has contributed to poverty within Africa as local industries struggle to survive in the face of stiff competition from industries outside the continent.
Professor Boateng encouraged all present to support local industries even if it means paying a little extra for local goods and services. Africa’s potential, he said, can only be unlocked through individual sourcing behaviour. In addition, it was stated that organisations and individuals should be part of this solution in unlocking this potential for the African child and for future generations. Strategic industrial and consumer sourcing, he said, is pivotal to regional wide industrialisation and poverty alleviation. The lecture was concluded by Professor Boateng stating that it is in the best interest of all African countries to work together as a team, as only then can Africa rise. The lecture ended with a vote of thanks by the Head of the Centre for Women leadership, Dr Claudine Hingston, followed by a scrumptious dinner.
