Firstly, let me congratulate you, the learners. 95% of you completed the programme successfully, a result that reflects your hard work and persistence.

But even before that, you were chosen because you are high performers. To be selected for this programme is already a mark of excellence.

Today, you’re ready for take-off because education is what sets us apart.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the leaders of MultiChoice who are here today: For investing in the growth of your people. And for choosing to partner with iFundi. We take pride in your success. MultiChoice has been one of our very first clients, and one of our most valued.

To the iFundi team, thank you. Your dedication helped these learners cross the finish line, and your management ensured the programme’s success.

On Growth

Today, I would like to discuss human growth. MultiChoice’s “People First” strategy continues to shine. Even this graduation reflects that commitment, it’s rare to see this level of effort and care.

It will serve the company well. Even in the 4th Industrial Revolution, it’s not technology that drives change, it’s people.

Tractors didn’t replace people in agriculture; they needed drivers. AI is no different. It gives us superpowers, to do more, faster, better. Yes, it will take over certain tasks. But people will still be the ones guiding the machines.

The Pace of Change

The pace of change today is unprecedented. For most of human history, knowledge was shared orally. Then came stone carvings, followed by paper 2,000 years ago. Printing? 600 years ago. TV arrived in South Africa just 50 years ago. The internet and satellite TV? 30 years. And only 3 years ago, ChatGPT.

Technology is evolving fast. Who knows where we’ll be in five years?

The founder of Alibaba was once asked about the future of work. He replied: Anything a machine can’t do.” Machines can process data but not build trust. They can write reports but not lead. They can simulate sympathy, but they can’t truly care.

Be More Human

In this new world, your most important job is to be more human, not less. The most valuable skills will be interpersonal communication, courage, compassion, and creativity. Of course, a certain level of technical fluency is necessary, but it’s not enough.

The future demands continuous learning. Knowledge won’t be static. It will change constantly. You’ll have to discover it for yourself. Curiosity will be your guide.

And companies will need to become learning organisations to keep up.

A Personal Story

Not long ago, I went on an excursion to observe the Sardine Run, shoals of fish swimming from Cape Town to Durban. We set off at sunrise and returned at sunset. I spent the day chatting with a vet, bobbing about in the waves, and somehow, the topic turned to God. He gave me the best explanation I’ve ever heard: “God is like MS Windows, a massive operating system that runs the universe. You can call it nature. But just like Windows, it can be personalised ,so can your relationship with God.”

I thought to myself, ‘Life is like learning to surf or sail.’ Both require an understanding of nature, to know when to catch the wave or set the sail. When you grasp the operating system, you move with ease.

That takes study, training, and practice. We don’t know where the wind or the next wave will come from ,but we can learn to ride it.

Looking Forward

We don’t know what tomorrow brings, but we can be ready. The following saying has been guiding me well

• • Where intention goes, energy flows.
  • Where energy goes, action follows.
  • Where action goes, results follow.

In other words: Start with a vision. The path may not be clear now, but it will unfold step by step.

So be bold. Charge ahead. Prepare for the future and never stop learning.

Written by: Stefan Lauber