What two grandmothers and one MBA taught a leader about impact

‘Education is the only weapon in our arsenal that can combat poverty and ignorance.’ These weren’t just words to Shakespeare Hadebe – they were a foundational truth instilled by the two most influential women in his life: his grandmothers, Nomadlozi Lucy Jiyane and Elizabeth Thoko Hadebe.

Growing up in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, in the 1970s and 80s, Shakespeare was shaped by these remarkable women who understood something profound about the transformative power of learning. ‘I was raised by my grandmothers, both powerful women who understood that education is the great equaliser, and I am ever grateful for the influence they had on my life.’

The lessons learned in that household went far beyond academic achievement. His grandmothers taught him about resilience – the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward. They showed him the power of love as a driving force for positive change. And, perhaps most importantly, they demonstrated the value of uplifting others, planting seeds that would later bloom into his distinctive leadership approach.

These early lessons about caring and service became the cornerstone of his leadership philosophy. Today, as he heads up Transnet’s ICT Programme Management Office, those values help him to lead with genuine empathy and purpose.

In 2021, another of his grandmothers’ core values – the power of education was also reinforced when Shakespeare signed up for an Executive MBA at Henley Business School Africa. Attaining a premier degree of this kind would have made both proud, he says. ‘Although they were not there at my graduation in 2023 and are no longer with us, I know that they would have been cheering me on in heaven.’

For Shakespeare, the Henley MBA’s impact ran deep; it reinforced his belief in education’s transformative power and gave him new frameworks for being a purpose-driven leader in complex corporate environments.

‘The programme exceeded my expectations, providing far more than academic credentials. It equipped me with practical tools for handling real-world challenges, fostering innovation, and maintaining that crucial work-life balance. Most significantly, the Henley MBA was instrumental in refining my leadership style, offering valuable insights into navigating our increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world.’

But perhaps what distinguishes Shakespeare most is how he uniquely combines technical expertise with strategic leadership. Having spent years mastering ICT, Digital and Mega infrastructure programmes in the transport and logistics sector, the MBA gave him the strategic acumen to elevate those technical foundations into business transformation.

‘The Henley MBA emphasised practical, global perspectives,’ he says. ‘That broadened my ability to connect ICT not just as a support function, but as a true enabler of digital business transformation across transport and logistics. It sharpened my skills in decision-making, financial acumen, and stakeholder management, all of which are critical in an industry as complex as ours.’

Shakespeare brings a refreshing perspective to corporate leadership, one that goes beyond traditional management approaches. ‘Leadership is about more than just steering a team,’ he explains. ‘It’s about embracing vulnerability, showing curiosity, and adopting a mindset of continuous growth.’

It’s also a philosophy that he practises, not just preaches! His commitment to growth extends to honest self-reflection, another thing heavily reinforced on the Henley Executive MBA. Shakespeare admits he needs to work on being more patient, and he hopes that by working on himself, he can evolve into a better leader. But he’s not afraid of making mistakes on the way.

‘Mistakes are steppingstones to greatness. I am a big believer that we don’t need to aim for perfection to be successful, we just need to strive for progress.’

It’s wisdom like this that has made him more than just an ordinary leader; he’s become a role model and mentor who actively encourages self-improvement and fosters talent within his organisation. A devoted husband, father, and hobbyist gardener, Shakespeare also finds the time to regularly visit schools to deliver motivational talks, sharing his story with young people who might be facing similar challenges to those he once encountered. Through these visits, he brings his grandmother’s message full circle, inspiring the next generation with the same truth that guided him.

‘Education is the great equaliser,’ he says. ‘I passionately believe in education’s role in transforming not just individual lives like mine, but entire societies. For young professionals and learners alike, I hope that my journey serves as a reminder that education can indeed be a passport to greater achievements and a life of impact.’