Kabelo Themane

IMD Business School, Lausanne

“Investment professional driven to be a catalyst for sustainable and inclusive growth across the globe.”

Hometown: Johannesburg, South Africa

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m an avid lover of the arts and I love to sing. I also love to cook and believe sharing a meal helps build community.

Undergraduate School and Major: University of Cape Town, Bachelor of Commerce

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Edge Growth, Associate Principal

What has been the best part of being in a small class with this group of classmates? I’ve always valued more intimate settings. I believe strong relationships of depth are built that way. In the career I’ve pursued, I’ve found that you learn more in such environments. That’s why I’ve also chosen to work for smaller, leaner companies with flat structures and strong core values.

It’s been incredible being able to get to know each of my classmates on a deeper level. I believe it’s really what has allowed me to form meaningful relationships. There is a strong sense of trust among us, and it is clear that none of us is just a number lost in the crowd of a large class. With this personalized experience, we can recognize and appreciate the value in each person in the cohort.

Aside from classmates, what part of IMD’s MBA programming led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? Beyond wanting to develop a strong global network, IMD’s emphasis on leadership was a core factor in choosing the school. Leadership is ingrained in every facet of the program. It is reflected in its forward-thinking focus, which is at the intersection of technology and AI, and its deep commitment to sustainability and strategic thinking. Leveraging all these factors, I believed IMD would support me in becoming a leader who would make a meaningful impact after my MBA.

I was drawn to IMD’s agility and responsiveness. These qualities ensure the curriculum remains relevant in an increasingly dynamic world. The recent redesign of the MBA program further reinforced my decision. The program’s focus on equipping us with both transversal and functional skills means we won’t just be prepared for today’s challenges, but for tomorrow’s as well. I’m confident that this experience will empower me to bring the same adaptability and strategic insight to my post-MBA journey.

IMD is known for academic rigor. What is one strategy you used that would help a future IMD MBA better adapt to the workload early on? The thing I realized early on is that you cannot be everything to everyone. The academic program is rigorous and the hours are long. Somewhere in-between, you have private and social commitments. You need to prioritize what’s important to you, and I’d advise making time to do the things you love (the things that bring you back to center and energize you) and to hold that boundary. The IMD MBA is one year where you are going full throttle, but in so doing, you need to make sure you don’t crash the car and burn out. Lastly, just have fun.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: My biggest accomplishment to date has been leading the successful deployment of over USD 4 million in early-stage impact investments directly supporting the growth of high-potential SMEs in South Africa. Through this work, I not only helped channel critical funding, but also influenced long-term strategy by engaging with investors and trustees. This is particularly meaningful because it reflects my career pivot from traditional private equity to purpose-driven impact investing. It reaffirms my belief in the catalytic power of capital to drive inclusive growth in emerging markets.

Describe your biggest accomplishment at IMD so far: Leaning into the vulnerability required to gain the self-awareness of the kind of leader I would like to become. There is a lot of work that goes into a transformative experience such as this. The whole program is designed to challenge you and drive self-reflection, confront these difficult questions:

What happened to you?

What happened to us that makes us who we are?

How do we navigate this world?

How do we make sure we can be vulnerable, and yet still excel?

Answering these questions have been hard, but incredibly rewarding at the same time.

Where is your favourite hang-out in Lausanne? Why do you (and your classmates) gravitate there? Taking in the beauty of the city we stay in every day has been a blessing, with the lake providing everything we need. We can run around the shoreline, relax with friends at one of the bars, or even enjoy a braai (BBQ). In summer, we soak up the sun and cool off in the water. In winter, we go to the sauna and (for those willing to brave the icy temperatures) take a cold plunge.

What has been your best memory at IMD thus far? One of my best memories at IMD so far has been the incredible one-month immersion in Singapore with the Future Lab in June. The theme, The Power of Technology, came to life in the most inspiring way in witnessing firsthand how seamlessly the public and private sectors collaborate, and exploring how innovative companies harness technology to transform their operations. Traveling across the world with my classmates to experience a new culture, dive deep into digital transformation, and learn through real-world exposure was not only enriching, but also energising. The combination of professional insights and personal growth made this journey unforgettable, a true highlight of my IMD experience.

DON’T MISS: MEET IMD BUSINESS SCHOOL’S MBA CLASS OF 2025

© Copyright 2025 Poets & Quants. All rights reserved. This article may not be republished, rewritten or otherwise distributed without written permission. To reprint or license this article or any content from Poets & Quants, please submit your request HERE.