Fundisa Mgidi has always had a burning ambition to be able to assist in the development of the people of the Eastern Cape. This is one of the country’s poorest regions and Fundisa believes the only way in which people’s lives will be meaningfully improved is through equipping them with the necessary skills to achieve their own advancement.

In 1993 Fundisa she attained a Postgraduate Diploma in Tax Law from the University of Cape Town and this was followed in 1995 with a Masters degree in Tax Law. In 2001 she graduated with a Higher Diploma in International Tax Law from the Rand Afrikaans University.

Fundisa believes that the MSc in Development Economics this will help her to get to the bottom of the problems facing developing nations, such as poverty and unemployment.

"South Africa is one of the African countries affected by poverty and has an important role in finding a solution to the economic emancipation of its people.

"I want to use my MSc in Development Economics to help South Africa to come up with sustainable solutions to the problems affecting the growth and development of the country."

Daughter of respected anti-apartheid political activists, Griffiths and Victoria Mxenge, who were victims of brutal political assassinations, Namhla’s studies were affected when the details of her parents’ deaths were revealed at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s hearings in 1994/1995.

However, she persevered with her studies and in 1998 she graduated with a BSc degree with majors in biochemistry and industrial psychology from Rhodes University.

Namhla subsequently completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Management in Human Resources at the Wits Business School.

She has already had four years of work experience as a senior consultant in human resources. Now she would like to gain business education to enhance the management aspects of her career.

Namhla says, "An MBA will teach me how to assess market potential and returns on investment; how to recognize faulty assumptions; and how to write and implement business plans.

"I cannot think of a better way of gaining in-depth knowledge in business theory and insight than spending a year studying; sharing ideas with a diverse group of managers; researching; and writing on specialised business courses."

As an employee of the SA Broadcasting Corporation, Grace Khoza believes a Masters degree in Media and Communications will enhance her intellectual understanding of international affairs and will prepare her for a news management role within the organisation.

The course will also assist Grace to add more value in addressing the needs of South Africa and the African continent as a whole.

Grace believes that the course she will pursue at the LSE will give her the best chance to develop her skills in journalism, especially in understanding the global flow of information.

"As an employee of the SABC, the course will enhance my management skills in the field of communication and help me to understand how the SABC, as a public broadcaster, can contribute towards the development of South Africa through communication.

"The time I will spend abroad will also help me to understand the need to identify cultural factors that influence communications."

Lebo believes that corporate governance is one of the most important issues in the business world today, which is why she chose to pursue the MBA. She further believes that both the issues of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility have not been receiving sufficient attention in South Africa and when she returns to the country, she wants to contribute towards legislating corporate governance.

"The UK is one of the few countries that has a Minister for Corporate Social Responsibility. As South Africa is still a new democratic country, we lack the depth, knowledge base and experienced personnel in the fields of corporate governance and corporate social responsibility. The public and private sectors’ focus is mainly profit-driven. For South Africa to have a sustainable competitive business environment, corporate governance must be used as a vehicle to drive and uplift the standards used to conduct business in South Africa."

The empowerment charter of the Department of Minerals and Energy stipulates that by the year 2010, 25% of the oil industry must be controlled and owned by historically disadvantaged South Africans.

Llewellyn Kordom, a senior process technologist at Mossgas, sees himself as playing a significant role in ensuring that there is meaningful black participation in the oil and gas industry, in significant numbers.

"The university of Dundee is attracting students from all over the world and thus I will be interacting with people who can teach me about the oil and gas industries of other countries and I can share my South African experiences."

In 2000 Londiwe graduated with a LLB degree from the University of Natal with majors in Income Tax, International Tax and Internet Law. After spending two years as a candidate attorney, she realised the need to get further education in International Law.

She says that the South African government is experiencing problems with individual taxpayers or companies avoiding or evading tax by taking their money to other jurisdictions where they will pay less or no tax.

"The UK is internationally recognized as an expert in the field of Corporate Law and International Tax.

"By studying in the UK and returning to South Africa, I will be able to make sure our tax base is in line with internationally-recognised principles aimed at closing any loopholes."

Londiwe says that she will also use her overseas experience to contribute to the development of tax law in the area of E-Commerce.

The use of existing International Tax Law alone in E-Commerce could have a detrimental effect as South Africa has its own unique domestic principles.

"It is important that we take the best aspects of Tax Law from international and local jurisdictions."

The implementation of NEPAD will present project management opportunities in Africa and Mkhululi Gaula believes that he can only participate with suitable academic qualifications.

As a graduate with a BAdmin degree from the University of Western Cape and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Policy and Development Management from Wits University, he also believes that international exposure can help him to contribute to the upliftment of economic standards in South Africa.

"South Africa is presently grappling with the question of entrenching the privatisation policy as a pillar of its economic growth and redistribution strategy. The United Kingdom has always pursued privatisation policies without causing widespread political unrest among the organs of civil society. We can learn lessons that can be used in the South African context across the board – from the restructuring of state assets to the implementation of the municipal service partnership programmes – without attracting high-level labour unrest."

Upon his return to South Africa, Mkhululi would like to occupy a senior position in local government within a service delivery department. This would allow him the opportunity of confronting hands-on the economic and development needs of the people, but mostly of the disadvantaged communities.

Ntsiki graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2001 with Honours in Business Science. At UCT she involved herself in student life and was RAG Chair in 2000 where she was responsible for overseeing 40 student-run projects.

Ntsiki says that she would like to study in the UK because it will place her in the heart of debate, thought leadership and economic activity. She says she chose to study Business Science because she would like to work in big business, and make a contribution in improving the economic prospects of black South Africans.

Upon her return from the United Kingdom, Ntsiki wants to work for a large international bank or multinational organisation in the area of finance. After five years she would like to run her own business.

Pumela believes that marketing is not only about selling the right goods or services to the right people – it is also about long-term positioning objectives. In the not-too-distant future, the single and most-prized attribute in any company would be the ability to understand the complex global environment by implementing long-term marketing strategies.

After completing a BA degree with majors in English and Industrial Psychology at the University of Transkei, Pumi attained Honours in Industrial Psychology. Thereafter she successfully studied Marketing and Financial Management through the University of South Africa.

Pumi says that South Africa has emerged from a bitter past, characterised by international sanctions and an inability to operate on a global scale.

"Our country needs to quietly adapt itself to the changing world, should we wish to compete successfully with other countries. South Africa needs young ambassadors who are willing to swiftly adapt to change and quickly learn ways of developing our country so that it can be on par with developed nations. South African companies also face new challenges with increased globalisation and the establishment of the African Union and the adoption of NEPAD as the continent-wide socio-economic strategy.

Pumi believes that the imperatives of the African Union and NEPAD will require local companies to establish brands that appeal to the broader African audience.

With the MBA in Strategic Marketing, Pumi says she would like to help the South African International Marketing Council with its Brand SA project. She also wants to spend more of her spare time helping community radio stations to develop their own brand identity.

Having grown up in a rural area, Shammy Luvhengo was overjoyed when he was accepted at the University of Cape Town, from which he graduated in 1998 with a BSc Honours degree in Geology.

For the past four years he has been employed in a senior management position at the mining company, Kumba Resources.

While he has a strong technical background, Shammy believes that he lacks commercial qualifications, which is why he wishes to pursue an MBA.

"MBA programmes are designed to develop or enhance management skills, knowledge, the ability to analyse complex problems and the ability to make strategic decisions. I have good scientific and technical background and vast knowledge of the mining industry in South Africa. The South African mining industry has been changing at a very rapid rate and one of the few problem areas has been finding people who have a good knowledge and understanding of the business aspects of mining. An MBA will help me to better understand the commercial side of mining and I can then assist in transforming this industry so that it will benefit the socio-economic development of the country as a whole."

Tebatso’s ambition is to help South Africa to balance its economic development with environmental concerns. She believes that the country needs to drive economic growth in such manner that it does not compromise the rights of future generations to a healthy environment and sustainable environment.

Tebatso completed a BSc in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town. Thereafter she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management at the University of Natal.

She says, "The myth that environmental assessments and management hamper business growth needs to be eliminated, and a new way of thinking needs to be encouraged among South Africans."

Tebatso sees environmental studies taking her previous engineering education to a higher level. "These two disciplines are not isolated. In most cases engineers, due to a lack of environmental awareness, implement processes that lead to pollution and other serious side effects. Hence a combination of the two streams would be a bonus to my own career development."

Tebatso believes that the time has arrived when environmental responsibilities can no longer be left in the hands of a few skilled individuals, but needs to be embraced and appreciated by everyone in order to ensure the survival of future generations.

Armed with a Diploma in Radiography and a Degree in Ultrasound, Yogan Kisten wants to scale even greater heights in his chosen field. His aim is to promote ultrasound technology for the benefit of primary health care – especially with regard to pregnancies in townships and rural areas.

After matriculating at Mount View Secondary School in Verulam, he studied at Peninsula Technikon, attached to Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.

"I want to use the education I gain in the UK for the benefit of my fellow South Africans. My research will be based on the value of Umbilical Artery Doppler Ultrasound in predicting fetal growth restriction in high risk pregnancies."

Yogan says that the use of ultrasound in obstetrics is presently a luxury few can afford.

"Research has proved that routine ultrasound scans between 18-22 weeks of pregnancy are essential for early detection of abnormalities, defects and growth restriction of the fetus. We need to take this technology to the periphery, i.e. the townships and rural areas where there is a dire need for early diagnostics."

According to colleagues at the hospital where he works, Yogan is compassionate by nature and takes the time to explain ultrasound procedures and results to his patients.

Though a school principal at a high school in the Eastern Cape, Bedeshani’s early career includes a stint as a refuse remover in the streets of Roodepoort. Bedeshani’s ambition, however, was to teach, and he began working as an unqualified teacher. He then enrolled for a Secondary Teacher’s and later gained a Further Diploma in Education from the University of Rhodes. Finally, Bedeshani obtained a Bachelors degree in Education from the University of Port Elizabeth, where he majored in Mathematics Concepts and Methodology and Outcomes Based Education.

Bedeshani’s goal is to "become the best teacher of mathematics" and to encourage all learners to study mathematics. Upon his return from the UK, he also wants to organise intensive workshops for educators on how to improve their skills as mathematics teachers.

"The Department of Education cannot wish unqualified teachers away. Therefore, we need to fully equip them to play their important roles in society," he says.

Aneesa Peer wants to contribute towards achieving substantive and meaningful change through epidemiology or the study of infectious disease control. The Masters degree in Epidemiology covers topics such as HIV/Aids, malaria and other infectious diseases, as well as issues like conflict and health, ageing and health and epidemiological research.

After obtaining a MBBCH in Medicine from Wits University, Aneesa worked at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto where she realised how ineffective efforts at State hospitals were to deal with the HIV/Aids crisis.

"Health and politics are interdependent. The study of epidemiology cannot be seen separately from the socio-economic political factors of the day. After returning from the UK, I want to be involved in epidemiological research and policy. HIV/Aids and women’s and children’s health issues will always be my special interest."

As a student activist, Aneesa made her mark at Wits University where she successfully campaigned for an end to discriminatory admission policies for women, especially African women who were not admitted to faculties such as law, engineering and economics.

The results of her study into the exclusive admission policy of the university gave the impetus that was necessary to get things moving in a progressive and equitable direction.