MY JOURNEY

My name is Marlene le Roux and I am the CEO of the Artscape Theatre Centre in Cape Town.

To me, success lies beyond the surface. If you look at a microphone – for example – how do you determine its success? You need to consider what really matters. Did it do what it was meant to do?

“ To me, success lies beyond the surface. ”

Did it help an artist express their true personality? Did it help captivate an audience and give them joy? Did it give someone a voice to make a difference in the world?

Now, if you want to measure the success of a person, normally you look at their career. Job title, net worth, overseas accolades. But there’s a lot more to it than that. During my time as a student at the University of Stellenbosch Business School, I could see that USB understood what true success means.

“ If you want to measure the success of a person, normally you look at their career… But there’s a lot more to it than that. ”

They cultivate a type of leadership that is about social impact. Leading by example. Giving back. Being accountable for everything you achieve.

I contracted polio when I was 3 months old. I grew up disabled, living in a poor farm community during the height of Apartheid – but when I was on stage performing and singing, I was free from my hardships. In those moments I discovered how I could move people. I discovered the power that the arts have in uplifting communities.

Show business is still business. If you want to be an artist, you need to be an entrepreneur. I gained many business skills from USB, but they also taught me about the responsibility I have to give back. With this in mind, I started the Audience Development and Education Department at Artscape.

Every time I see a young person perform and move an audience, I remember how important it is, not only to lead and succeed in your own career – but to be an ethical, responsible leader.

“ USB taught me about the responsibility I have to give back. ”