PROFILE: Mark Smith, director of University of Stellenbosch Business School
Nearly a year after he was named the new director of the University of Stellenbosch Business School, and more than four months after taking up the post, UK academic Mark Smith is still waiting for a work visa to enter SA.Smith gave up his job as dean of faculty at Grenoble Management School in France for the Stellenbosch position. He officially replaced the departing Piet Naudé in November, but remains stranded in France while waiting for SA red tape to unwind.He applied for a visa immediately after being confirmed as director last April. He travelled to the SA embassy in Paris last week for what he hoped would be the last time, but was told he’d have to return. Colleagues say officials wanted a document they hadn’t previously asked for. Smith himself is outwardly unruffled and blames Covid-19 for the delay. Several shutdowns of the SA visa office have caused "significant administrative backlogs", he says.It’s clear, however, that he’s impatient to get going. Though able to perform ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.