Local lecturer and Rondebosch resident Earl Djehuti Erasmus from TSIBA Business School in Ndabeni delivered a keynote address at a conference on indigenous wisdom for students enrolled in the Africa Track programme at the Audencia Business School in France.
Based in the city of Nantes, Audencia Business School is one of France’s most prestigious business schools. The conference on indigenous wisdom for students on the Africa Track programme, held at Audencia in mid-November last year, is said to have deepened the well-established and rich academic relationship between the two business schools, TSIBA and Audencia.
Recognised as convenor, leadership and self-development lecturer at TSIBA, Erasmus shared insights into how indigenous wisdom, especially those of the Bushman and Khoi people, can help French entrepreneurship and modern business. The intention was to inspire French entrepreneurship and modern business practices, especially those that celebrate cultural exchange and foster cross-cultural understanding.
“Our aim is to explore new comparative methodologies, fostering a deep appreciation for the local French and international contexts. “(In) particular that of South Africa,” Erasmus pointed out. “This initiative is designed to develop a greater consciousness among students who would be visiting South Africa for a semester study abroad programme at TSIBA, ensuring a smooth integration into our unique academic and cultural environment.”
Also known as “Kabbo”, Erasmus is a son of the Karoo who carries with him a profound connection to his indigenous roots. As a young boy he tended the family farm. Little did he know the extraordinary path that lay ahead, especially abroad.
He started as a security officer at the University of Cape Town (UCT), holding a deep-seated dream to carry the wisdom of his ancestors across the globe.
Years of dedication and study led Erasmus to an undergraduate degree from UCT and honours in high-performance leadership from Stellenbosch University Graduate School of Business.
Throughout his journey he was guided by the unwavering support and mentorship of Coleridge Daniels, a guiding light who believed in his vision.
Today, Erasmus stands as a beacon of inspiration, Vice President of Global Initiatives for the Bryant Educational Leadership Group, leading The African Student Leadership Experience (TASLE), lecturer at TSIBA, a mentor to young business minds and facilitator of rites of passage, transcending borders to share his indigenous wisdom on three continents.
“The culmination of our efforts took centre stage in a conference attended by students and staff from diverse nationalities, including countries in Africa, the Middle East and the Far East,” he said. “The audience included senior leaders and professors from the Audencia Management, making this experience truly global.”
At the conference, said Erasmus, the intersections of indigenous (Bushman) and French philosophies were delved into, exploring their relevance for fostering a more ecologically sustainable post-modern business ecosystem.
“This conference wasn’t just a presentation of academic content, but also a platform for cross-cultural dialogue, where diverse perspectives converged to create a rich tapestry of ideas.”
His work as an award-winning community developer, an Indigenous activist and an adviser to global indigenous movements is a testament to his deep sense of purpose.
“As a South African lecturer in Nantes at Audencia Business School, the journey unfolded into a tapestry of rich cultural experiences, weathering the wintery chill of France, awaiting access to one of the most advanced business school ecosystems in the world, an incredibly fascinating experience”.
TSIBA Global is a semester-long international exchange programme aimed at students in business studies. It offers a unique opportunity for international exchange students to join South African students at TSIBA for six months in the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) programme at the Cape Town campus.
This conference in Audencia not only reached a diverse and expansive audience but extended beyond the confines of the Audencia Business School Africa Track, providing an exceptional platform to inspire and engage a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
The ultimate goal was to attract 15 students from Audencia to join TSIBA in the coming year, in this way expanding the horizons of educational exchange.
