Prestigious Recognition at World Economic Forum for NMMU Business School Board Member

Mr Andrew Muir, environmental activist and member of the NMMU Business School Advisory Board, has been named Social Entrepreneur of the Year in Africa 2012. The award was announced at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa in Addis Ababa by The Schwab Foundation last night (9 May 2012).

The ceremony, which was broadcast live via a web-stream on the forum’s website, was attended by hundreds of global leaders from various sectors and dignitaries from around the continent, including former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the secretary-general of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Bekele Geleta, and heads of state from South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Gambia, Gabon, and host nation Ethiopia.

Awardees are among a group of the Foundation’s 17 social entrepreneurs from around the world who took part in the meeting.

Hilde Schwab, Co-founder and Chairperson of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, said “Africa has seen tremendous growth over the past decade. Social entrepreneurs use innovative approaches to extend access to healthcare, education, energy and housing to marginalized populations that may not otherwise be included in the traditional markets. They ensure that growth--such as that Africa has experienced--is and will be inclusive.”

Muir, the Executive Director of the Wilderness Foundation has dedicated his life to conservation and social development. He describes the Wilderness Foundation as a conservation organisation with a very strong people focus.

"We try to find the link between nature and people," he says. “More than 100,000 disadvantaged and vulnerable young people from all over South Africa have benefitted from the project through its social intervention and environmental education programmes.”

Muir spent many years working closely with Dr Ian Player, one of the world's most respected conservationists and founder of the world-famous Wilderness Leadership School and Wilderness Foundation UK. When Muir took the baton from Player, he assumed the responsibility of managing the various organisations founded by the renowned conservationist.

Commenting on this achievement, NMMU Business School Director Prof Steve Burgess said: “Andrew Muir is a passionate part of the School and we are absolutely delighted to see him recognized in this way. He has been very helpful in reshaping our thinking about the content of our flagship MBA and other degree and executive education programmes as well as our new business school building. He is a tremendous resource for the School. We are very happy for him and proud to be associated with him.”