At the official tenth anniversary celebration of the Rhodes Investec Business School (RIBS) the high calibre of business leaders invited as guests, the many successes of the school in its young life and the achievements of its graduates set the bar to carry the school into another successful 10 years and more of business education.

As an incentive for RIBS Alumni, as well as friends and supporters of RIBS, to attend the celebratory weekend, which took place at Bushman Sands Hotel, outside Alicedale near Grahamstown last month, a programme of “educational events” was arranged. It was felt that apart from the opportunity to network and “catch up”, Alumni in particular, should be given the opportunity to be exposed to a few business thought leaders.

The weekend was launched in fine style by Clem Sunter at a Business Breakfast at The Wyvern Club, Kingswood College, Grahamstown. Clem was in fine form and enthralled an audience of some 150 people with an update of his scenarios for South Africa in the 2010s. While there may be a few “greenshoots”, he advised us to be prepared for his “Hard Times” scenario for the next little while.

The “business” side of the weekend followed with a RIBS Board of Advisers” meeting chaired by David Lawrence, Deputy Chairman of Investec. As the current Director, Professor Gavin Staude is leaving Rhodes at the end of the year, it was decided that the extant Board of Advisers be dissolved and that a new one be formed under the guidance of the new director, in due course. Given that Investec funding will continue for at least 2010,“Investec” will be retained in the name of the business school for the forseeable future.

The delegates attending the celebratory weekend registered at the RIBS building and having been addressed by Gavin Staude on the latest developments at RIBS, the “RIBS party” adjourned to the Bushman Sands Hotel.

Having checked in, delegates were treated to a braai in the “cultural village” across the road from the Hotel. The setting was idyllic with a huge bonfire, candles and party lights. At the braai, delegates were entertained to a presentation on the “Spirits of the Past” by Alan Weyer, the well known local historian and tour guide.

Saturday’s breakfast was not quite a leisurely affair for everyone. Ms Lindie Engelbrecht, CEO of the Institute of Directors, conducted a World Café Conversation on the topic of servant leadership. Lindie gave a keynote address on the nature and meaning of servant leadership before delegates at their various tables engaged in a conversation of the relevance of servant leadership in the current financial crisis. Gauging from the lively discussion, the topic certainly engaged the delegates.

The party then moved into the conference room where Reuel Khoza, Chairman of Nedbank and Visiting Professor at RIBS, gave the delegates the benefit of his intellectual and practical insights into African Leadership. As one of the delegates exclaimed, “Reuel for President”!

Matthew Lester, Profess of Tax at Rhodes, followed and in his inimitable style, gave an update on his analysis of the current financial crisis and what the future might hold. Once again, the advice was to be prepared for “hard times” prior to any upturn.

Saturday afternoon was for the delegates own leisure pursuits including a game drive, boat cruise and golf.

Saturday ended with a Gala Dinner at which Mr Hugh Herman, Chairman of Investec, gave the after dinner speech.

RIBS was delighted that each one of the graduating classes since 2001 was represented at the weekend by at least one member of the respective class. Having achieved a critical mass of Alumni after 10 year, RIBS launched the RIBS Alumni Association at the beginning of 2009. The main objective of the Alumni Association is to establish a mutually beneficial relationship between RIBS and its Alumni.