Facilitating Cross-sector Collaboration in Africa

Now studying for an MSt in Social Innovation, Suwi hopes to combine his knowledge and experience to help facilitate an environment for cross-sector collaboration in Africa.

Tell us about your career path.

My family's roots are in Zambia, but I attended school and university in Cape Town, South Africa. Prior to the MSc in Management at the Business School, I completed a BSc in Chemistry and and BCom (Hons) in Financial Analysis and Portfolio Management at the University of Cape Town (UCT). In between my time at UCT and the Business School, I had a role as a trader working on an equity, fixed income, and derivatives desk in Cape Town.

I am currently studying for a Master of Studies in Social Innovation at the University of Cambridge. The programme is designed for practitioners from the business, public, and social sectors who wish to lead innovative solutions to pressing social issues. It is extra special to be in Queen's College, the same college as my Dad, almost 30 years later.

How did your degree prepare you for your future career?

My approach to university has always been to 'learn how to learn'. I see my educational experiences as a vehicle to be taught multiple transferable skills which can be applied across many disciplines. The MSc in Management challenged me to reflect critically and influenced me to become a more holistic scholar and leader, equipped with the skills required to serve our global community.

Looking back, what was the most valuable part of your degree?

The diversity that our cohort and the University possessed enabled us to form many multicultural teams. This fostered an environment of open-mindedness and inclusivity in the quest for the best possible solution. This challenged and advanced my interpersonal skills which I believe are essential when having a global approach.

Tell us how you hope to 'write the future' and break your own boundaries.

I envisage a career that intersects my seemingly diverse background of science, finance, management, and social innovation. With my interdisciplinary experience, I hope to facilitate an environment for cross-sector collaboration in Africa.

I have lived in a country riddled by curable diseases, unemployment, poor literacy, and the scars of Apartheid. A solution to this national problem will have a positive impact, both socially and economically. It will be a major stride forward for the continent when we seek African solutions, driven by Africans like myself, for African problems.

However, social issues need solutions that are both locally relevant and globally aligned in order to collaborate with partners. Managing this complex landscape is of great interest to me, and I am particularly curious about the crucial relationship between governments and the private sector.

What advice would you give to current students?

Get involved with as much as possible. The more you put into your experience, the more you will get out of it. The educational experience is sometimes beyond just the lecture halls. It is at the dinners with your new international friends, or in sports teams you may find yourself involved with. It could be unconventional. The Business School provides you with a unique opportunity to broaden your horizons, enhance your professional expertise, and develop a truly global perspective.