Global Immersion: South Africa’s Ongoing Transformation

South Africa has transformed itself into an economic and political power, with membership in the G20 and BRICS, and a dynamic business ecosystem. This forward-looking course will consider the opportunities created by South Africa’s multiple identities, the implications of its particular history, its current challenges, and its position between advanced and emerging markets. Students will develop an intimate understanding of South Africa’s commercial environment and extract insights on creating impact in a range of economic landscapes. The course will delve into South Africa’s ongoing post-apartheid transition, the role of natural resources in South Africa, developments in the country’s new-economy sectors, prospects for innovation and entrepreneurship, and the possibilities created by integration with the African continent. The class will travel to Johannesburg and Cape Town during March 15–22, 2025; the first mandatory in-country meeting will be dinner on March 15 in Jo’burg. The 2024–25 Global Immersion Program mandatory fee for all classes is $2,100 and provides students with double occupancy lodging, ground transportation, and some meals; roundtrip international airfare is not covered. Attendance in New York and in-country, as well as regular participation, are crucial parts of the learning experience; hence, attendance is mandatory. Students who miss the first in-class meeting may be removed from the course. No program fee refunds will be given after the add/drop period has closed. Please consult the Chazen Institute website to learn more about the Global Immersion Program (GIP). Note that all international travel involves some risk: we do not control the sites that we visit. We draw on our expertise and experience to make every reasonable effort to create a safe learning environment in New York and in-country. The primacy of this objective may at times require changes to or deviations from pre-announced programming. If your tolerance for risk or uncertainties is low, the GIP is not the right choice for you.