The Durban University of Technology will on Friday, 27 November 2015 launch the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship (CSE) which will help people in developing innovative social enterprises that will add value to both local and rural communities in order to address social challenges such as unemployment and inequality.
The launch, which will be attended by Hon. Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Small Business Development (DSBD), will take place at 9h00 at the DUT Ritson Hall, Ritson Campus. Other dignitaries will include members of the national and provincial government, industry and communities.

The CSE was initiated in July 2015 through a partnership involving the DSBD. The Centre is located under the Engagements Portfolio in the DUT Vice-Chancellor’s office. The Centre aims to:

– Develop social entrepreneurship within the community through mentorship and other innovative strategies.
– Develop social entrepreneurship at the University through the development of learning strategies, partnerships and mentorship.

Since the initiation of the CSE in July this year, the two main areas of development have been enterprises in the footwear and leather sector and the clothing manufacturing sector. Working with the Department of Trade and Industry (Footwear and Leather Directorate), three hubs are being created, namely, Labora Shoes in Shallcross, Durban; Dick Whittington Shoes in Pietermaritzburg and Umfolozi TVET College in Richards Bay. Through these three hubs, informal small business will be supported to and mentored to create employment in the communities and expand the sector. Within the clothing manufacturing sector, a partnership has been established with First Black Rand, a cluster of SMMEs and co-operatives to develop training and clothing manufacturing enterprises in townships and rural areas.

The Centre has commenced engaging with Enactus, a student voluntary body at DUT to provide support and mentorship for students at the University who want to start their own enterprises.

The Centre will be accessible to staff, students and external stakeholders.

The event will take place as follows:

Date: Friday, 27 November 2015
Venue: DUT Ritson Hall, Ritson Campus
Time: 9h00
RSVP: sinegugunp@dut.ac.za

Pictured: Centre for Social Entrepreneurship logo.