UCT GSB celebrates international recognition and sustainability landmark

The University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB) is celebrating a dual victory: an international award for its transformative impact in education and a major sustainability recognition that reinforces its commitment to responsible operations and environmental stewardship.

The UCT GSB recently received the prestigious Gold Award for Ecosystem Development at the 2025 European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Excellence in Practice (EiP) Awards. The honour recognises a case study on outstanding learning and development partnerships with measurable impact.

It focused on a long-standing collaboration between the UCT GSB, the Principals Academy Trust (PAT), and the Capitec Foundation. Together, they have delivered a leadership programme that is transforming underperforming schools in South Africa’s most marginalised communities.

Just days later, the Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge, situated on the UCT GSB campus, earned the coveted Green Key sustainability certification. This certification, awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education, affirms the hotel’s commitment to environmental responsibility and positions it as a leader in sustainable hospitality in the region.

Education as ecosystem development

The UCT GSB’s award-winning case study, titled “Empowering principals to transform schools”, presents more than a theoretical model. It documents real-world outcomes: nearly 300 schools have benefitted over more than a decade, with marked improvements in academic performance, leadership effectiveness, and community involvement.

“The UCT GSB is delighted by the EiP Gold Award win,” said Jodie Martin, the head of executive education at the business school. “The final product of the case study was a powerful portfolio of evidence about the transformational work done by all the stakeholders to uplift the South African educational system for educators, learners, and their communities.”

At the heart of the initiative is the belief that school principals are the catalysts of change. By mentoring serving principals – many of whom lead schools in socio-economically challenged areas – retired education leaders help instil a culture of accountability, strong leadership, and visionary school management.

“It is a recognition of the important work being done in Africa by Africans through education to improve the prospects of a generation of young African school children.”

“Bringing back hope to our education system is the concept which the Principals Academy has put in place in Cape Town schools for over a decade,” said PAT CEO, Keith Richardson. “Serving principals have been coached and mentored by retired principals, enabling them to rise up and take ownership of their schools.”

The case study underscores how this model has led to measurable improvements in learning culture, academic outcomes, and overall school governance in more than 25% of schools in marginalised areas in the Western Cape.

Rayner Canning, the UCT GSB director of business development and executive education, said the award is also recognition of the broader vision and collaborative spirit embedded in the programme. “It is a recognition of the important work being done in Africa by Africans through education to improve the prospects of a generation of young African school children,” he said.

The EiP Awards are among the most prestigious accolades in the global business education community. Past winners include giants such as Unilever, Audi UK, and the Lego Group. For the UCT GSB, this is the second EiP Gold Award, having previously won in 2019 for its partnership with Standard Bank Corporate Investment Banking.

Richardson sees the honour as a tribute to the hundreds of school leaders who have participated in the programme. “Also celebrating will be the nearly 300 marginalised schools that, over the past twelve years, have benefitted from these invaluable injections of hope, expertise, and wisdom.”

A sustainable stay

As the UCT GSB celebrates academic excellence and social impact, its commitment to sustainability is equally evident, thanks to the Green Key certification awarded to the Protea Hotel by Marriott Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge. The hotel’s certification affirms its compliance with international environmental standards, including reducing energy and water consumption, managing waste effectively, and lowering its carbon footprint.

“This achievement is more than a badge – it’s a symbol of our commitment to sustainability, responsible tourism, and protecting the beautiful environment we call home.”

“This milestone is a testament to Colin Naiker’s leadership and the dedication of the hotel and operational teams, whose commitment to embedding sustainable practices into every aspect of our operations has made this recognition possible,” said Thobile Dlamini, the director of hospitality at UCT. Naiker, cluster general manager of the hotel, said the certification goes beyond operational efficiency. “This achievement is more than a badge – it’s a symbol of our commitment to sustainability, responsible tourism, and protecting the beautiful environment we call home,” he said.

The benefits of the certification are multifaceted:

• Environmental stewardship: In a country grappling with water scarcity and energy constraints, the hotel’s efforts signal responsible resource management.
• Guest satisfaction: Today’s travellers increasingly value eco-conscious accommodation. The certification boosts the hotel’s appeal, particularly among sustainability-minded guests.
• Cost efficiency: Reduced consumption of water and energy translates into long-term savings, proving that green practices can also be smart business.
• Community alignment: Situated in a historically significant area of Cape Town, the hotel’s green operations honour both local heritage and future generations.
• Reinforcement of UCT values: The certification aligns with UCT’s broader strategy of environmental sustainability and supports its vision to transform its campuses into “living labs”.

“The University of Cape Town is thrilled with the achievement of the Green Key certification,” said Manfred Braune, UCT’s director of environmental sustainability. “This achievement aligns with UCT’s environmental strategy to green all our campuses. Students staying at the hotel will experience sustainability first-hand, which further supports UCT’s vision to become a living lab for sustainability.

Embodying Vision 2030

Both achievements, educational impact and sustainable operations, embody UCT’s Vision 2030, which is anchored in the pillars of excellence, transformation, and sustainability. Whether it’s transforming schools through leadership or transforming infrastructure through environmental action, the UCT GSB is showing how institutions can play a pivotal role in shaping a more equitable and sustainable society.

As Dlamini put it: “Both awards speak to UCT’s Vision 2030 pillars of excellence, sustainability, and transformation. They showcase how different parts of the university – from academics to operational teams – are working together to deliver impact locally and globally.”