Extending Yourself Sustainably
Between 2023 and 2024, I was accepted to study the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Sustainable Development at the Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST) at Stellenbosch University. To say that this was a transformative experience that expanded my mind and the way I look at the world is a massive understatement.
These past two years have been such a special time in my life. I had the support of my family in taking on this endeavour which I am profoundly grateful for. I would not have been able to complete this course if I didn’t have my husband constantly supporting me and taking on additional responsibilities at home. Furthermore, my mom looking after our baby has been so precious for us. Knowing that your child is with your parents and that they look better after him than they looked after you — priceless!
The PGDip expanded my mind to such an extent that I sometimes had the sensation that my brain might explode from all the content it is trying to hold. Intellectually, this is an intense course — it is on par with an Honours course (I wish they called it this but that’s neither here nor there). It doesn’t matter which industry you work in and what your work title is, you will be introduced to a whole new world of content regarding sustainable development, globalisation, governance, food system transitions, complexity theory, systems thinking, biodiversity and ecosystem services, renewable energy finance, sustainable cities, and leading transitions and socio-ecological ethics. Even if you are an expert in the field, these leaders pull on such a wide array of sources that you will almost certainly find something new and interesting that you never knew before.
What is actually most significant is how this course expanded my heart and mind. I know how this is going to sound… And, in all honesty, there were times where my classmates and I thought we might have joined a cult. In our final module, one of our class facilitators actually jokingly mentioned this and we all had a bit of a giggle.
The people working at the CST and the Sustainability Institute (SI) are beyond wonderful. The first time we met Mark Swilling was in the hall at the SI. He told us the story of the tree next to the visitors’ parking that look as though it was dying. He realised then that the reason for this was because the tree was lonely. We could all feel the tears welling up and almost a collective lump in our throats. We identified with that tree. Now, the tree is flourishing since they planted many indigenous trees and plants around it to create a community of biodiversity for this beautiful being.
We virtually ‘met’ Nina Callaghan and Megan Davies at the end of 2022 in their welcoming video for all the new PGDip students. Even in that video, we could sense their warmth and care. They are passionate leaders who are in charge of the PGDip. Well, Nina is now the Deputy Director at the CST! Megan and Nina immediately made us feel as though we are home. They have been pivotal in this learning experience.
Other leaders who we have been connected:
- Mmatshilo Motsei is an incredible woman who I had a strong connection with. The way she started her session with us and carried us throughout the learning journey has been gentle with a grounding strength that I have never felt before.
- Reinette (Oonsie) Biggs is kind and sweet in her demeanor but her mind is a beast. She has a wealth of knowledge that is beyond what I have experienced before. I think what makes it more unnerving is that she is so down-to-earth and unassuming that you are not prepared for the tsunami of information that is flooding from her mind into the audience.
- Rika Preiser is probably everyone’s favourite professor. She taught us complexity theory and leading transitions — two modules that were the bookends for my second and final year with the PGDip. It is impossible to put into words how Rika prepares a room for a gathering of minds and how she holds space for each of us to feel at home, become comfortable with being uncomfortable, and to allow us enough space to learn significant lessons. She makes each person feel heard and seen.
- I want to give a special mention to A’ishah Ibrahim — she will not be working at the CST next year but she has contributed to the beautiful experience I have had at the SI and Stellenbosch University. She is a kind and gentle soul whilst being direct and forthcoming with what we need to know or do. I am so grateful I had the privilege of spending this time with her.
- When you go to the SI you should definitely visit the Green Cafe where you will usually meet Rico Wessels and Sinethemba Mayongo who will greet you with a smile! You need to try their breakfast, cookies, coffees, cakes, samoosas, salads, tea, and soups. Their food is delicious and most of the fresh produce comes directly from their gardens. You might need to visit a few times to taste all their food.
- Andrew Boraine is another significant person who is instrumental in the development of one of the modules in the PGDip. He has such a delicate way of working with people — he understands all the nuances involved and has a beautiful way of sharing his expertise.
- Roger Saner provided us with physical experiences that made us think differently about how we move and what that communicates to those around us. His work focuses on embodied practices, amongst other topics. What I found very interesting is that when we did these physical practices with our classmates, a mindshift occurred. Yes, I had to trust my classmate to lift me or catch me BUT simultaneously, I had to allow myself to be lifted or caught. It made me think about leadership in a completely different way: Leaders lead people who follow them, right? If I am a follower, I can choose to follow the leader or I can decide I don’t want to. As such, I am leading myself into that leader’s footsteps. So, who is really leading, hey?
There are many more people who are wonderful human beings at the CST and SI… They make such a big difference in the world and they are brilliant in their respective subject matters. Connect with them, do a course or two at the SI, find out how you can get involved, become a volunteer or a researcher. I know no one is perfect but here, they embrace who you are — warts and all — while making sure you know you are great and you can become the best version of yourself.
If you think of the traditional idea of what a leader is, what they look like, how they talk, walk, and communicate… The people who work at the CST or at the SI might not immediately come to mind. I invite you to open your mind, take a look at who is around you and challenge the ideas you hold onto. Next, open your ears and listen to what these wonderful people have to say. They are changing the world in big and small ways!
