Reflections from the Citizen Leadership Lab

Multotec and the Citizen Leadership Lab share a commitment to developing people and creating impact beyond business. Through this partnership, Multotec funds collaboration between school principals and business leaders.Attending the Citizen Leadership Lab was a meaningful and eye-opening experience for me, both personally and professionally.

I would like to sincerely thank Multotec for the opportunity to attend this programme. Being invested in and trusted with such development is something I do not take lightly. It reflects belief in potential, and I am grateful for it.

The programme itself was unlike traditional training.

It was immersive, reflective, and designed to challenge how we think and engage with others. It pushed us to move beyond theory and into real self-awareness, collaboration, and honest conversation.

Multotec and the Citizen Leadership Lab share a commitment to developing people and creating impact beyond business. Through this partnership, Multotec funds collaboration between school principals and business leaders.A special acknowledgement goes to the facilitator (Chivonne Abrahams), whose approach brought together a diverse group of school leaders and business professionals in a powerful way. Her ability to listen deeply and create a safe space for reflection made it possible for real learning to take place. She did not simply teach leadership concepts, she helped bring them to life.

The guest facilitators also added great value through practical activities that emphasised teamwork, collaboration, and shared responsibility. A key reminder throughout the programme was that no one succeeds alone. Relationships, partnerships, and reflection are essential for growth.

On a personal level, the experience was deeply reflective. It took me back to my own upbringing, including challenges such as walking long distances to school and dealing with bullying. For many years, this shaped how I viewed school environments and limited my involvement beyond parenting duties.

However, this programme changed that perspective.
It reminded me that my experiences, growth, and career journey are not just for me. They can be used to create opportunities for others, especially young people facing challenges, educators, and fellow leaders who need support and connection.

One of the key lessons I will carry forward is that the quality of our outcomes is shaped by the quality of our thinking. If we want better results in our communities and organisations, we must first improve how we think, reflect, and engage.

Leadership, for me, is not about position. It is about presence, responsibility, and the ability to influence positive change through others.

My takeaway is simple: we all have a role to play in opening doors for others. Through collaboration, intentional relationships, and better thinking, we can create meaningful and lasting impact.

Benjamin Sibanda - Managing Director MATO Products and Zet Baloyi, the principal of Nyiko Primary School.

 

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