Celebrating Mandela School’s Academic Director, Professor Brian Levy

The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance recently held a Master’s Gala Dinner; which saw the class of 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 in the same vicinity, sharing and imparting knowledge. The guests and the students also had an opportunity to celebrate and honour Academic Director, Professor Brian Levy, who having reached the age of 65, will be stepping down from his position this year.

Speaking on behalf of the 2016 cohort, Kabelo Mabalane thanked Professor Levy, for contributing into his life and the African continent as a whole. “In our various work spaces we’ve actually started thinking differently…As such, most of us who came earlier, have invited our colleagues to come to the programme,” said Mabalane.

Mabalane’s address was followed by a representative from the class of 2017; this class collated a heartfelt poem dedicated to Professor Levy, which was delivered by Ringisai Chikohomero.

Masego Madzwamuse, accompanied by Melisizwe Bleki spoke on behalf of the 2018 class.  “We’ve learned to do things that we are most absolutely passionate about. We are truly honoured to have benefitted from the rich insights and scholarship that you have,” said Madzwamuse.   

Finally Helena Kuzee; read an inspiring speech on behalf of the class of 2019. In the speech she said; “We’d like to thank you for inducting us, into how to work with the grain. Reminding us of the importance of context and gearing us into the understanding that there is value in developing islands of effectiveness in the context we operate in.”

Professor Brian Levy; also teaches at the School of Advanced International Studies, Johns Hopkins University in Washington DC. He worked at the World Bank from 1989 to 2012, including as manager of the Africa Vice Presidency Public Sector Reform and Capacity Building Unit, and as head of the secretariat responsible for the design and implementation of the World Bank Group's governance and anti-corruption strategy. 

He has published widely on the interactions among institutions, political economy and development policy. His most recent book is Working with the Grain: Integrating Governance and Growth in Development Strategies (Oxford U Press, 2014; info at www.workingwiththegrain.com) He completed his Ph.D in economics at Harvard University in 1983.