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15 SOCIAL ENTREPRENUERS APPLAUDED FOR SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE KZN SOCIAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

15 SOCIAL ENTREPRENUERS APPLAUDED FOR SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THE KZN SOCIAL ECONOMY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) in collaboration with the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) recently held the KZN Social Economy Development Programme Exhibition at the Ritson Campus Hall. The exhibition was hosted to showcase the businesses of the 15 social entrepreneurs who successfully completed the nine-month programme, which included both theoretical and practical components.

Amongst the dignitaries who attended this prestigious event was the KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Siboniso Duma.

The Programme Director was Mr Zwakele Ngubane, Director: Advancement and Alumni Relations at DUT who began by giving a brief background on the KZN Social Economy Development Programme. He indicated that it was launched by DUT together with EDTEA in February 2022, targeting 15 social entrepreneurs from across KwaZulu-Natal.

“The traditional model of entrepreneurship is premised on profit maximisation, while social entrepreneurship on the other hand emphasises viability while optimising the business impact on communities and the environment. Social entrepreneurship is a business with conscience and a heart,” said Ngubane.

In light of this, he indicated that the programme is aimed to equip the selected participants with key skills that they would require in order to scale their business so that they are able to have a greater impact in their communities.

Delivering the welcome and opening address was Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, Executive Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences at DUT. He began by acknowledging the presence of MEC Duma, saying that DUT was privileged. He acknowledged the DUT Director of the Short Course Unit, Professor Colin Thakur who is the KZN Social Economy Development Programme leader, Mr Patrick Mbokazi who is the programme manager, including all team members who manage this programme, not forgetting the 15 social entrepreneurs for their commitment to the programme.

“We do not only have youth unemployment at unexpected levels but we have graduates’ unemployment, a phenomenon that should not be entertained. Ordinarily, all our graduates should find space for themselves, consider start-ups and be able to earn a living. This is not the case and we need to ask ourselves why is this the case as all of this leads to social ills. The DUT in its strategy, ENVISION2030 indicates that our people shall be entrepreneurial and that is what we are focusing on. These programmes feeds into that strategy very well, to ensure that members of society, including graduates of DUT get into entrepreneurship. We do provide teaching, programmes and support in entrepreneurship through the various structures within the university,” said Prof Netswera.

In his address MEC Duma, said the curriculum offered at higher education institutions becomes critical. He indicated that if they proceed and produce what is not required by the market, the country is still going to see a huge sum of unemployed graduates who are unable to convert what they have learnt to practical processes.

“Prof Thakur what you are currently doing is what we regard as required because we must be able to produce the process where our graduates don’t only look for employment but they must create the employment. The collaboration between DUT and KZN EDTEA aimed at supporting social enterprises from the province in growing their business ventures, by exposing them to technologies, peer learning, mentorship and training. Thereby, supporting employment creation, opportunities and and growing the province’s GDP,” added Duma.

The Programme Manager, Mr Patrick Mbokazi spoke on the establishment of the programme, sharing that the highlight of the nine-month long training was getting a chance to visit the entrepreneurs back home where they are from to see how their businesses operate. He expressed his gratitude to the social entrepreneurs for their dedication and hard work throughout the programme.

The 15 social entrepreneurs had a chance to briefly introduce their companies in five minutes and a chance to engage with the delegates at their exhibition stands. Sharing the lessons learnt from the 2022 cohort was Mr Vikani Funda from DUT, meanwhile DUT’s Mogandren Govender indicated that as a way forward DUT will create an application where the 15 social entrepreneurs will be updated of potential funders and new projects. Speaking on behalf of the 2022 class, Ms Xoliswa England of NutriVita expressed their gratitude to DUT and KZN EDTEA for the opportunity that has assisted them to acquire new skills that has aided them to grow their businesses. 

The Programme leader, Prof Thakur thanked the KZN EDTEA for partnering with DUT on this great initiative that will have a positive impact on the provincial economy. He thanked the 15 entrepreneurs for being the first cohort of the programme and also sent his appreciation to the DUT team who worked tirelessly to ensure that the programme becomes a huge success.

Pictured: The fifteen social entrepreneurs were awarded certificates after completing the nine-month KZN Social Economy Development Programme.

Pictured: KZN MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Mr Siboniso Duma with Professor Fulufhelo Netswera, Executive Dean: Faculty of Management Sciences at DUT at the KZN Social Economy Development Programme Exhibition.

Simangele Zuma

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