By: The Division of Communication & Advancement

Rhodes University is hosting the Young Leaders Bootcamp at Eden Grove on 6-7 July 2024, featuring Allan Magubane as the keynote speaker. Magubane, born in 1989 in Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, has contributed to education and corporate consultancy, focusing on leadership ethics, strategy, and diversity.

Magubane had recently served as the Deputy Headmaster for Transformation & Community Engagement at St John's College in Johannesburg, a position he left to pursue a sabbatical and further his studies. His professional journey began at Rhodes University, where he worked in the International Office as the International Projects, Programmes, and Events Officer, serving as the SRC President in 2011. Transitioning into the corporate sector, he established himself as a consultant specialising in leadership ethics, strategy, and diversity.

An alumnus of the Mandela Institute for Development Studies (MINDS) and a Summer School Fellow at Drew University's Centre on Religion, Culture, and Conflict, Magubane's dedication to social justice was evident in his research interests, including Diversity, Equity & Belonging, Social Justice, Liberation Theology, and the role of Love as a social and political ethic. As a co-founder of the Centre for Being & Belonging, Magubane aimed to cultivate communities and institutional cultures of higher consciousness. He was a founding executive member of the South African Transformation of Independent Schools Association in 2021. Recognised for his educational contributions, he was named one of the Top 200 Young South Africans in 2023 by the Mail & Guardian.

At the time of his keynote, he is pursuing a Masters in Philosophy at the Desmond Tutu Centre for Religion & Social Justice at the University of the Western Cape.

Magubane's keynote address, titled "Reflections on Personal Leadership: Failing Forward," explored the concept of "failing forward"—how to manage failure and transform it into a positive force for leadership development. He framed the session around reconstructing the framing of failure so that it could be used as a galvanising force to foster new life and usher in new ways of being. He shared personal experiences and insights, emphasising that failure was inevitable and necessary for growth and success. The session began with an intention setting by the entire room, quiet followed by the lighting of a candle which signified the light and wisdom that was sought by the boot camp.

Magubane discussed various perspectives on failure during his address, including personal, professional, academic, social, and systemic failures. He emphasised the fluid and subjective nature of failure, proposing that this subjectivity was a gift and an opportunity for growth. According to Magubane, failure was critical to development as it kept individuals humble, reminded them of core ideals, and necessitated seeking help which in itself fosters community. Restating a quote by CS Lewis, that humility was not to think less of ourselves, but to think of ourselves less an important practice allowing the spirit of community to grow, for learning to take place.  

Magubane highlighted the behaviours associated with internalising failure, such as catastrophising, avoidance, negative self-talk, impostor syndrome and overgeneralisation to name a few. He aimed to provide future leaders with the tools to separate self-worth from failure and view setbacks as opportunities for growth. He invoked Professor Babalwa Magoqwana's work "Repositioning uMakhulu as an institution of knowledge," inviting scholars to reflect on where their knowledge of life, leadership, and ethics originates and who their makhulu's are. The importance of this work is that it decentres traditional frameworks that often give stereotypical understandings of leadership and refocuses on African indigenous knowledge concurrently.

In his presentation, Magubane referenced influential figures and concepts. He cited Howard Thurman's idea of "coming alive," urging attendees to find what makes them come alive and pursue it passionately.

Magubane discussed the importance of support systems, self-compassion, and a growth mindset. He shared a few personal anecdotes. He emphasised that self-compassion builds resilience and a healthier self-concept, while a growth mindset encourages perseverance and continuous improvement. Magubane also referenced Robert T. Kiyosaki's belief that "failure is part of the journey of success" and that avoiding failure also means avoiding success.

The address also included reflections on the need for community and mentorship. Magubane quoted The Healing Wisdom of Africa Malidoma Some, who emphasised the necessity of elders in a community to bless the genius of youth, allowing it to serve the greater good. He urged the attendees to recognise the value of mentors and elders in their own journeys. Magubane's session was a conversation with the mind and the heart, seeking to align intellectual, emotional and psycho-spiritual growth.

Magubane's keynote concluded with a call to practice compassion towards oneself and others. He reinforced the idea that each person is both an elder and a youth, capable of continued growth and the emergence of genius from its hiding within each other. Rhodes University and the Young Leaders Bootcamp attendees benefited greatly from Allan Magubane's wealth of knowledge and experience. His keynote address provided valuable lessons on turning failures into stepping stones for future success and emphasised the importance of compassion, resilience, and continuous personal growth.