Alick Granger

Unisa SBL alumnus, Alick Granger, is an accomplished entrepreneur, business strategist and transformation specialist whose academic and professional journey demonstrates a strong commitment to innovation, youth empowerment and inclusive economic development.

Granger obtained his Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in 2007, followed by a Master of Business Leadership (MBL) in 2014. He completed a Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment Management Development qualification in 2015. This strong academic background laid the foundation for a successful leadership career in business development, corporate transformation and entrepreneurship.

He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of South Bison Office Automation, a Gauteng-based company established in 2018 that provides office automation and digital print solutions. The company specialises in print technology and provides print services, technical support, printer infrastructure and youth-focused technical skills development programmes.

Under Granger’s leadership, South Bison Office Automation has evolved into a community-focused technology company that aims to lower printing costs while also creating entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for young people in underserved communities. The company supports local technical assistance initiatives and offers 4IR-aligned digital print technologies to schools, businesses and public sector clients.

Before founding the company, Granger held several senior leadership positions in South Africa’s industrial and engineering sectors. His experience includes serving as Group Business Development Executive at Mandirk Group and Group Business Development Manager for BBBEE and Transformation at Bearing Man Group. In these roles, he led transformation initiatives and developed inclusive business models to empower host communities and entrepreneurs in the mining and industrial sectors. The most significant achievement during this period was the establishment of Africa Maintenance Equipment (Pty) Ltd, an empowerment-focused distribution chain designed to promote the economic inclusion of local entrepreneurs in the mining sector.

His professional experience includes leadership positions in filtration technologies, power generation account management and strategic business development. Through these roles, he has gained extensive expertise in operational management, stakeholder engagement and driving sustainable growth.

Reflecting on his career path, Granger attributes his successful move from corporate employment to entrepreneurship and innovation-focused leadership to the power of education. He urges students and fellow alumni to adopt blended learning, integrating theoretical knowledge with practical experience to drive meaningful and economic impact.

He continues to maintain a strong connection with the Unisa SBL, which he regards as a key driver of his professional growth and leadership development. 

* By Talana Lebelo, Alumni Relations Specialist, Unisa SBL