University of South Africa Business School

About SBL

The Unisa Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL) is an autonomous academic department within the College of Economic and Management Sciences at Unisa.

In 1965, following the advice and active support of senior South African business leaders, Unisa decided to introduce a Master of Business Leadership (MBL). The success of this programme, coupled with the unique characteristics associated with a multidisciplinary degree led, in 1969, to the establishment of the SBL as an autonomous body within the university. As its name and that of its flagship programme (the MBL) indicate, the emphasis from the start has been on leadership development as opposed to administration.

Regarded as one of the top business schools in South Africa, the SBL has produced more than a third of all the MBL/MBA degrees awarded by South African universities since its inception.

Driven by a philosophy of innovation, social responsibility, ethical engagement and global connectedness, the success of the SBL’s approach is demonstrated daily by achievements of the people and organisations who have participated in their programmes. More than 150 of the MBL graduates appear in the Who’s Who of Southern Africa, and many SBL alumni hold senior positions in world-class companies.