Author: The DaVinci Institute

Kwanele Batshele Ngwenya, the incumbent Chief Executive Officer of NBS Bank, exemplifies the epitome of erudition as he embarks on the culmination of his doctoral candidacy at DaVinci, poised for graduation later this month. Today, we illuminate the path that has etched within him an unwavering reservoir of profound purpose and a sense of stewardship.

Kwanele Batshele Ngwenya’s career has been a rainbow ride, and it is not running out of colours anytime soon. Armed with vast working experiences in the financial sector, Kwanele describes himself as a career banker, having spent most of his life in banking; he has over 25 years of banking experience, 14 years of which have been in leadership positions, Kwanele informs us. He started his banking career with Nedbank, South Africa, before moving to FNB where he spent 11 years. Kwanele also has international experiences – having worked not just in South Africa, but Botswana, Zimbabwe, and now Malawi. Kwanele sits on the board of NICO Technologies and holds an advisory role on the Centre of Agricultural Transformation board.

Academically, he holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Oxford Brookes University (UK), Master of Science Degree in Strategic Management from University of Derby (UK), and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (Banking and Finance) from Bangor University in Wales. Further, he is a Chartered Banker with the institute of bankers in Scotland and holds advanced professional development certifications from several institutions like Wits and GIBS Business School.

Of recent, Kwanele has completed his Doctor of Management in Technology and Innovation with DaVinci, the thesis of which is entitled, An Effect Analysis Study of Financial Inclusion in Malawi: A Case Study of the NBS Pafupi Savings and Agent Banking.

Kwanele’s doctoral study investigates the challenges confronting the New Building Society (NBS) Bank since it launched its financial inclusion product, Bank Pafupi agent networks and Pafupi Savings account. Notably, Pafupi Savings customers are individuals from marginalised communities who have been excluded from the financial system due to limited financial capabilities and restricted access.

The contributions of this study are multifaceted, accords Kwanele, and encompass various dimensions. Firstly, the research interventions made towards marginalised communities have played a pivotal role in addressing their financial challenges and fostering inclusive growth. By analysing the effects of financial inclusion on bank agents, the thesis provided direct implications for policy makers and financial institutions seeking to promote inclusive financial practices and avenues for economic empowerment.

Moreover, the research sheds light on the implications for bank agent operators, providing them with valuable insights into the factors influencing their operations and profitability. Kwanele argues that, by recognising the unique challenges faced by bank agents and identifying strategies for overcoming obstacles, the thesis contributes to enhancing the effectiveness and sustainability of agent banking practices, therefore.

From an academic perspective, Kwanele further notes, the study adds to the construction of knowledge in the field of financial inclusion. Through comprehensive data collection, rigorous analysis, and robust methodologies, the research concurrently offers a deeper understanding of the profound relationship between financial inclusion and its impact on stakeholders within the banking sector.

Interestingly, as Kwanele notes further, the implication of his research extends beyond academia and contribute to the economic landscape, as it explores the economic impact of financial inclusion initiatives, providing insights into the potential benefits and opportunities for businesses, individuals, and the overall development of Malawi’s economy. Central to the thesis is the proposition of a model on financial inclusion, which serves as a critical outcome of the research – and thus the proposed model aims to guide practitioners, policymakers, and financial institutions in formulating strategies and policies that promote inclusive practices, thereby driving sustainable economic growth and social progress.

Based on DaVinci’s unique TIPS™ Managerial Leadership Framework, with a focus on innovation, document analysis, personal reflections, return of investments as a stakeholder, interviews and survey findings – the researcher developed a proposed National Identification Digital Financial Inclusion interoperability model for Malawi.

The NID model could be integrated into financial institutions like banks, microfinance institutions (MFIs), financial cooperatives (FCs), Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) led models and agents-led models. It will operate by the interoperability of the Reserve Bank of Malawi, National Registration Bureau (NRB), Malawi Nation Identification Card (NID), the banking industry, MFIs and FCs, MNOs, passports and Agents. This, as Kwanele purports, will make the NID perform as an interoperability ATM card.

The NRB will facilitate interoperability by linking customers’ national IDs to the financial institutions, including the banking industry, MFIs and FCs, MNOs, passports and Agents. A customer will be able to access financial services at Point of Sale (POS), agents, ATMs, personal computers (PCs), and phones anywhere in Malawi and abroad. The customer’s national ID number will act as an account number, instead of the bank account number.

Kwanele’s remarkable achievement of attaining a doctoral qualification while concurrently serving as the CEO of one of Malawi’s premier banks stands as a testament, in his own words, to his extraordinary dedication, unwavering resilience, and exceptional capacity for effective time management. These three attributes have been pivotal in his journey to triumph, enabling him to adeptly harmonise the rigorous demands of both his professional and academic roles.

Furthermore, as he allocates credit to those in his closest circle, Kwanele extends his heartfelt gratitude to his family for their unwavering support, his academic supervisor for invaluable guidance, the esteemed board members of NBS Bank, the executives of NBS Bank, and every member of the dedicated staff.

Last but not least: “This has been the most fulfilling part of my life. To the management at The Da Vinci Institute, I want to extend a word of appreciation to you, for coming up with such an excellent research program that focuses on technology and innovation.”

Introducing Molefe Isaac Fani, our esteemed doctoral candidate. We are thrilled as he reaches this significant milestone and prepares to venture into the next exciting phase of his journey. Molefe enlightens us about his career, offers insights into his academic journey with DaVinci, and briefly explores the exciting prospects that lie ahead.

DaVinci’s doctoral candidate, Molefe Isaac Fani started his career as a chemical engineer at organisations such as Sasol Chemical Industries (SASOL) in Sasolburg, and BHP-Billiton in Richards Bay. He has also worked at Eskom, at various power stations, and was promoted to various positions; he was then moved to Grootvlei power station when Eskom took a decision to bring back the mothballed power stations. Molefe took the opportunity and became the commercial manager and was responsible for procurement and warehousing, with specific attention to capital projects procurement. The move also resulted in him having to look at different processes and business models in the supply chain and construction to ensure smooth return to service of the station. His fascination with SCM (Supply chain management), business processes and business enhancements were further sparked by working for CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), Gauteng Provincial Treasury, Central Energy Fund (CEF), and National Treasury.

Presently, Molefe serves as the Divisional Commissioner of supply chain at South African Police Service. A qualified engineer, he currently holds a degree of Master of Commerce (MCom) in Business Management. Particularly interesting, Molefe is a doctoral candidate at The DaVinci Institute, set to graduate later in October.

To the man’s perspectives, Molefe is of the view that change is a phenomenon that has affected all businesses the world over, thereby imposing strategies to ensure future economic development. However, he notes, designing a competitive strategy requires a business model for implementation; Molefe further recognises that business models play a fundamental role in facilitating the process of understanding, communicating, analysing and managing strategic orientation in the organisation. This observed phenomenon by Molefe was that despite the importance of the Gauteng Provincial Treasury (GPT) in ensuring strategic direction on provincial and local levels, there was no indication of implementing an agile and effective business model framework, he accords.

With that in mind, Molefe’s thesis, entitled: “Business models for business strategy implementation: A Gauteng Provincial Treasury framework”, the aim of which was to derive a business model framework for agile strategy implementation in public sector organisations. The study, following a rigorous process of data collection and analysis, as Molefe grants comprehensively, “found that the GPT adopted a strategy from the province called the Transformation Modernisation and Re-industrialisation (TMR) strategy. The TMR is developed from the national strategy called the National Development Plan (NDP). Development of strategy follows a rigid downward approach, being the National Development Plan, TMR and then the departmental plan. The study concluded that the organisation did not have a coordinated and defined model or framework for strategy implementation. Also, there was no evidence of ensuring that strategies are developed in an integrated manner for sustainable results. The indication was that there is a need to build a framework to ensure that strategies are integrated and provide sustainable results. A business model framework for strategy development and implementation was derived from the findings for application in public sector organisations. The study contributed to the body of knowledge in business leadership management and business model strategy development and implementation.”

Probed about this academic journey, Molefe says that it was an enjoyable one yet had its own challenges: “What I liked when we were inducted to the programme, the then Dr Stoltz-Urban promised us a customer experience, that made the difference in the journey. My employer allowed the seamless conducting of research, and the university was at a speed dial for enquiries. The Curiosita was a necessary step, which prepared the path… I started being a step ahead at the workplace in the application of the framework that was developed in the study, without pronouncing that I am. My thinking process and approach to strategy formulation is way different now, and I am being acknowledged for thought leadership in some critical areas of strategy. I have been able to turn-around the performance of the division I am leading currently”.

When asked about what lies ahead in his path, Molefe hopes to venture into the academic space as a lecturer; and based on a recommendation, he is also set to write a book. Owing to his erudite manner, Molefe advises doctoral students embarking on this journey, saying, “it is life changing. Embark on it with an objective in mind. Do it to change someone’s life. Impact the world.”

Would you like to further your studies while continuing to work? Explore our programmes here.

Meet our doctoral candidate, Patience Magodo, who has recently completed her academic journey with The DaVinci Institute. We recently engaged with Patience, and in this Q&A, she enlightens us about her career progression, her doctoral study, and what kept her going throughout the journey…

Founder and Managing Consultant of Tafadzwa Ne Chiedza Development Trust, Patience Magodo is an international banker and a certified lender. She has been working in the commercial banking industry for 23 years, locally in Zimbabwe, regionally in Africa, and internationally for an emerging market bank. She is now establishing regenerative agriculture in rural Zimbabwe through social banking for the economic benefit of smallholder farmers. Through intermediate and Afrocentric Nhimbe Technologies, she is pursuing poverty alleviation through technology justice, writing the new narrative on behalf of the small-scale farmer at the bottom of the pyramid. Patience also runs a for-profit social enterprise in Zimbabwe. Her business processes oilseeds, small grain-based breakfast cereal products, and dried fruit. The products it processes are organically cultivated and supplied by local small farms.

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Your thesis is entitled: “An integral ecosystem: A case study to holistically establish sustainable socio-economic development for smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe.” Please provide us with a blurb on the purpose of your research and its contribution.

The research sought to understand the causes of the abject poverty instigated by many issues in the smallholder farming community in Zimbabwe. The research trajectory focused on the importance of smallholder agriculture for ecosystem-based economic development, poverty reduction, and sustainable livelihood enhancement in Zimbabwe. The integral bottom-up methodology motivated the affected to determine the factors required to guide agriculture development to sustainably end or reduce poverty in Zimbabwe as the nation pursues the ambitious plan to become an upper-middle-class economy by 2030. Farmers at the bottom of the pyramid were given a safe space to write their stories and narratives and, through social innovations, contribute to the research and, more importantly, communally own the process and solutions to their daily felt challenges.

In a few words, describe your journey to completing your qualification.

The journey made me realise I will always be a learner, and there is so much benefit in collaborating with like-minded people for societal impact. The research journey challenged me on aspects like rootedness as an African and how, over time, by accepting socio-economic global systems as a people, we have short-changed ourselves. It’s time to write our narrative unchecked and transform ourselves.

What would you say your three greatest attributes or characteristics are as a person that aided you on your journey?

– Passion for positive change.

– Innovative solution seeker.

– Love for communities.

How did your journey impact your way of thinking and (or) life?

I had many questions and deep-seated anguish arising from witnessing poverty wearing an African rural face, and the research proffered hope that poverty can be eradicated through social transformation and collaborations with other researchers and innovators. It is not a one-man job, and through multiple research networks and communities of practice, I am looking forward to more research work and innovative social learning that speaks to the common person.

What is next for you on your path of remarkability?

I look forward to deepening the integral research space with DaVinci. The journey has just begun. I hope, with DaVinci, to establish our Afrocentric research model rooted in the global South, as we have borrowed foreign-based research methodologies for too long. Three concepts arose from my research journey. I am furthering work on the following:

a) Universities as a centre of enterprise development in Africa and renovating the education curriculum of certain university degrees and curricula so that the adequacy of the Minimum Body Knowledge of students is impacted.

b) Establishment of the Heritage Communiversity for small-scale farming in Zimbabwe, and hopefully, it will one day develop into a regional ethos.

c) Development of intermediate technologies and mechanized farming to shift the mindset from employment to productive and sustainable livelihoods.

If you could advise a student embarking on this journey, what would it be?

Be yourself, be sincere in research, do not seek to justify a methodology, and just be content with interpreting results. Multidisciplinary research offers more ways of looking at issues and challenges the mind, demanding practical, socially transformative solutions, which Africa needs.

Today, we bring you a captivating account of the remarkable odyssey undertaken by Karl Tischlhauser, a graduate from our institution, DaVinci’s BCom programme (class of 2020), who is presently pursuing a Master’s degree qualification. Karl’s unwavering commitment to lifelong learning has not only shaped his personal growth but also positioned him as one of the exceptional ambassadors of the DaVinci educational brand. Join us as we delve into Karl’s captivating narrative, highlighting his journey, illuminating the transformative impact of a DaVinci education.

Karl Tischlhauser can be described as someone with an affable character and is fascinatingly an insightful person to engage with. He likens himself to an obsessive perfectionist and appreciates how committed he can be to any given task that he may be engaged with. “I have this need for routine, it is very important that my day be structured”, Karl concedes.

Perhaps acknowledging his tendency for orderliness, Karl says, “I like having a plan – having a planned approach allows me to work around my own reward system. I am also very curious; I find myself often postulating the perceptions of those around me – and not in a negative way – I love to gain insight into how an individual might have reached a particular conclusion.”

The inquisitive Karl accords that when reflecting on who he was before his academic journey started, he realises how far he has come, stating thus: “When I was 19 years old, and looking at possible universities to go to, my dad recommended DaVinci. He recommended DaVinci because he had completed his doctoral qualification with the business school. I remember asking my dad about DaVinci, he told me that studying with this business school would allow me to have a flexible schedule, which would not require me to only study, because, as my dad relayed the story, students who attended the business school often had some work experience. I then realised the possible opportunity to learn a few tricks of the trade from them. Doing the BCom degree through DaVinci was life changing!”

Moreover, as Karl states, having had “a conversation about academic pathways with my dad made it easier. We were planning my career path, it helped so much having someone who has also inspired me so much and pointed me in the right direction. Signing up with DaVinci was a big step, and I think back to the first time I had ever gone to the campus for class. I felt this strange nervousness, but meeting some of the remarkable people at the business school, this had me feeling like I had made the best possible decision for my academic development.”

Inquired about his experience and educational path, Karl artfully expresses that his academic journey with DaVinci was truly remarkable – as he notes: “It was not devoid of challenges, but it encompassed everything I required. I embarked on the BCom degree at the tender age of 19 and, at 22, I proudly crossed the graduation stage. The key to my success lay in the exceptional team of lecturers who tirelessly supported me in unlocking my potential. They guided me in comprehending my own thinking processes and equipped me with the necessary tools to express myself effectively in writing.”

This has been an academic voyage filled with new encounters and formation of new friendships and networks, Karl shares, adding in detail, “I had the pleasure of meeting Alex, who became like a big brother to me. Over the course of three years, I witnessed his life undergo a complete transformation, yet he remained unwavering in his dedication. He saw his BCom degree through till the end, even when it was no longer necessary for him. Then there was Thembi, a petite yet incredibly resilient woman. I observed her overcome setbacks with remarkable strength, effortlessly conquering every challenge that came her way. And let me not forget Heidi, whose heart overflowed with compassion. She always took the time to lend an ear to my wild anecdotes, and I admired how she spoke so proudly about her children. Honestly, I could talk endlessly about the wonderful individuals I encountered through DaVinci. This journey connected me with a multitude of people on various levels, leaving a lasting impact.”

Significantly, we note this to make the point that Karl stands out due to his acute listening skills and attentive disposition. He emphasises the significance of having paused to listen to each person he encountered at DaVinci and further notes that they all had something valuable to share.

When asked about the three most prominent attributes or characteristics that may have facilitated his journey towards obtaining his degree, Karl highlights his unwavering determination to succeed. He elaborates, stating, “I never, ever wanted to feel like all the odds were stacked against me. I also aspire to establish my name and create a legacy that far surpasses my own existence. I have come to realise that I will do everything within my power to make it happen.”

Karl also acknowledges his strong routine, noting that even though load shedding has been disruptive lately, “I have developed quite a routine for managing all the work. My strong, disciplined approach to routine has meant that it’s not work all the time – I make time for play too! My sense of humour helps as well; the easiest way to connect with people is by making a couple of jokes every now and then. Now, I’m not a comedian, I just happen to be observational – I’m always trying to see the humour in a situation. Having this approach has made it easier to connect with others.”

Karl is a firm believer that when people are in their formative adult years, they are often very nervous about who they are, who are they going to be and their places (where they fit) in the world. He supposes that the journey provided him with some structure and further elucidated a medium to long term goal for himself. Focusing on one’s own development was his mission, he says.

Speaking about his experience with DaVinci staff and lecturers, Karl reflects on conversations that left him with a desire to do better. Feeling inspired rather than merely acknowledging any personal shortcomings, he describes lectures where he departs with a motivation to push himself a little harder. To Karl, DaVinci stands out as a business school which gathers individuals rich in experience and knowledge within their classrooms. Karl says in his experiences, he has encountered lecturers who consistently exceeded expectations and surpassed requirements. The exceptional quality of learning sessions, as well, still compels him to ensure he does not miss one.

Turning his attention to the rest of the staff, Karl emphasises the familial treatment he has received at DaVinci. He highlights a receptionist who holds a special place in his heart and the extraordinary conveners who consistently go above and beyond. According to Karl, the staff at DaVinci hardly view individuals as mere numbers within their systems; instead, they treat everyone with utmost respect and honour.

Karl shares a recent incident involving his twin sister’s visit to the DaVinci campus, where she was warmly greeted by name and made to feel at home. These cherished moments exemplify how the DaVinci experience has the power to transform lives, he says.

It is no surprise, therefore, that Karl continues to be an integral part of the DaVinci community. He is presently engaged in pursuing a Master’s degree at our business school. With his keen observational skills, Karl notes that within the Master’s degree journey, there is a significant emphasis on transdisciplinary thinking. Through this experience, he has come to appreciate how DaVinci influences one’s thought processes. The teaching methodology at DaVinci, better known as the mode 2 learning approach, encourages individuals to leverage the strongest aspects of their thinking, to capitalise on them.

Looking ahead to the future, Karl aspires to follow in his father’s footsteps by pursuing the pinnacle of academic achievement—a Doctoral degree. He is determined to ultimately undertake the apex qualification, driven by a desire to make significant contributions in his chosen field of co-creation and to the body of knowledge.