The Department is proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Ms Simone Visagie, Senior Administrative Officer and personal assistant to the Deputy Director-General for Business Intelligence, Mr Paddy Padayachee.
The Mandela Scholarship, established in 1973, was created by the University of Sussex, United Kingdom, to protest against the injustices of apartheid and to raise awareness of Nelson Mandela’s struggle for freedom. After his release in 1990, Mandela wrote to the Scholarship Fund, emphasising that “the power of education extends beyond the development of skills we need for economic success. It can contribute to nation-building and reconciliation.” In this spirit, the scholarship seeks candidates who embody Mandela’s values and who will use their postgraduate studies to contribute positively to their communities and South Africa.
Each year, only two South African citizens are selected for this highly competitive award. Last year, Ms Visagie emerged as one of the two recipients of the prestigious Mandela Scholarship.
Ms Visagie enrolled for a Master’s degree in Strategic Innovation Management, a programme closely aligned with the core business of the Business Intelligence Branch. The one-year programme ran from September 2024 to August 2025.
We are equally proud to share that she has completed her qualification and was further honoured with the University of Sussex Rothwell Prize for her outstanding dissertation titled:
Exploring Strategic Innovation for Educational Reform: Artificial Intelligence Integration in the South African School Administration and Management System.
The Rothwell Prize is one of the most prestigious awards at Sussex’s Business School. It recognises exceptional postgraduate research in innovation management and is named in honour of Professor Roy Rothwell, a global pioneer in the field – making it an internationally respected accolade that highlights academic excellence at the highest level.
Her determination, excellence, and commitment to lifelong learning exemplify the values that the Mandela Scholarship stands for. The Department congratulates Ms Visagie on this significant milestone and looks forward to the continued impact of her leadership and expertise.