Cheslyn Africa: Leadership Growth Through Milpark

In 2021, Cheslyn began a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with Milpark – an experience he found to be greatly beneficial. “Milpark’s values align with mine. It wasn’t just theory. The content I learned could immediately be applied in my day-to-day leadership.”

According to Cheslyn, modules like business numeracy, organisational behaviour, human resource management and ethics deepened his understanding of team dynamics, culture and how people thrive. “Milpark exceeded my expectations. The programme shaped my leadership practices, the ability to understand how and what make organisations tick and sharpened my strategic thinking as well.”

He credits the Milpark modules for teaching him how to realistically structure his time. “I had to stay disciplined to the program and the schedules set out, ensuring all content or study work is completed in due course.”

He expressed the biggest thank you to his powerful support system. A wife, who pushed him to chase his dream. His son, who would wake up in the early hours just to check in: “Dad, are you finished with your assignment?” His mother and sister, cheering from the sidelines and most importantly by the grace and strength of the Almighty. “They weren’t just my family — they were my accountability partners.”

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For Cheslyn, the goal was not about just attaining a degree, it was about sharpening the kind of leader he wanted to become. Regardless of how many years of experience shine on his resumé, he is a huge advocate for staying teachable and constantly growing. “Anyone can manage. But leadership? That takes clarity, empathy, and the willingness to grow. That’s why I studied, not to know more, but to do better.”

For Cheslyn, the BBA was not just a qualification, it helped shift his mindset. With every module, from HR to strategy, he found himself building not just knowledge, but confidence. “I wanted to grow professionally through this course and become more strategic with greater knowledge. Now I can practically apply the content I learned in a professional environment.”

The programme connected the dots between experience, theory and application – giving him what he calls “a real-world lens on leadership.”

Cheslyn’s drive to become a better leader is what keeps him climbing the academic ladder. He is currently completing his Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration with Milpark and already has his sights set on a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) in 2026.

He encourages others on a similar path to remain steadfast. “Stay the course, even when it is difficult because you are working on something meaningful, at your own pace. Be consistent, because results do not show immediately but when it does you will be pleasantly surprised.”