Four students under the tutelage of the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation’s incubation programme have been selected to participate in the King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (KMUTNB) Leadership Camp 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, from Monday, 09 June 2025 to Sunday, 15 June 2025.
Hosted under the theme: “Technopreneur Skills for Global Innovators,” the programme will see the student entrepreneurs rub shoulders with entrepreneurial counterparts from other parts of the world and have an opportunity to collaborate with global peers in an exciting, hands-on international programme.
The entourage jetted into the Thai capital, Bangkok, on Monday morning and will spend the next week engaging in programmes designed to enhance participants’ global competencies through workshops and activities focusing on entrepreneurship, leadership, cross-cultural communication, and collaborative innovation.
Participants will engage in project-based assignments and meaningful international exchanges with peers from around the world.
The exciting opportunity came courtesy of the office of the International Cooperation Centre (ICC) of KMUTNB through its partnership with innobiz DUT, which invited four DUT students to participate in the 2025 KMUTNB Leadership Camp: Technopreneur Skills for Global Innovators.
The programme aims to promote the internationalisation of the university to put into practice the use of global essential skills including english communication skills, entrepreneurial skills, leadership skills, and cross-cultural skills.
The four selected student entrepreneurs from DUT are Ms Nompumelelo Ngcobo, of Oluhlaza Energy, Ms Kwanele Mazibuko of Fortunate Nest, Ms Ayanda Buthelezi, owner and founder of Kwa TK Farming Enterprise, and Ms Zama Gcabashe.
They were picked following a thorough selection process which came in the aftermath of a call-out for applications to form part of the programme.
Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo, innobiz DUT Centre Manager, emphasised the significance of such international bootcamps for the growth of the university’s budding entrepreneurs while fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and spirit within them.
“Like DUT’s philosophy of education, this camp fosters creativity and innovation, shaping adaptive graduates ready to transform society. It nurtures an entrepreneurial mindset and highlights the critical role of innovation in today’s global economy. Programmes such as the KMUTNB Leadership Camp are vital for shaping budding entrepreneurs through their multifaceted offerings in entrepreneurial workshops and engagements which offer a structured yet dynamic platform where students and young professionals can develop essential leadership and entrepreneurial skills,” Ms Ngcobo shared.
Ms Nompumelelo Ngcobo said that her selection on the programme was an incredible honour and opportunity for her and the Oluhlaza Energy business.
“It represents an opportunity to learn from renowned business leaders and network with like-minded individuals and gain valuable insights to drive my business forward. I’m excited to share the experience, challenges, and success with fellow participants and mentors about my current business. I’m confident that this experience will equip me with the skills and knowledge to take my business to the next level. I want to leverage this opportunity by absorbing as possible from the camp sessions that we will have,” Ms Ngcobo said.
Ms Mazibuko said that her journey to Thailand to participate in the 2025 edition of the KMUTNB Leadership Camp meant a great deal to her business, describing it as a milestone moment because it was happening on an international platform.
“This opportunity represents recognition, growth, and the belief that a young black woman from a rural background can build something meaningful and impactful. For my business, this camp is a gateway to global exposure, leadership development, and innovation.
“I plan to make the most use of this opportunity by absorbing as much knowledge from fellow leaders across different industries and countries. I am looking to gain different perspectives into sustainable agriculture, efficient operations and the smart business strategies that can be implemented to scale Fortunate Nest,” Ms Mazibuko explained.
Additionally, she said that upon her return from Thailand she wanted to share the information garnered abroad with her community to create jobs, promote food security and inspire other young people to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams despite the odds that they may be facing.
“This trip is not just a personal achievement, but it is a steppingstone towards building a more structured, impactful and sustainable agri-business,” Ms. Mazibuko added.
Ms Zama Gcabashe, founder of Edga Scents which is in the business of perfumes, home diffusers, car diffusers, scented candles and room sprays, said that attending the camp will be a game-changer for her business as she has set her sights on networking with industry leaders and potential partners.
“I look forward to gaining insight from expert speakers and workshops. I believe that this trip will give me the tools, connections, and confidence to drive my business forward, which will help me achieve my goals and take my business to new heights,” Gcabashe said.
Ms Ayanda Buthelezi, founder and owner of Kwa TK Farming Enterprise a small-scale farming business based in rural Nquthu in the north of KwaZulu-Natal, described her trip to the camp in Thailand as a life changing opportunity not just for her individually, but the entire business.
“This camp will help me gain important business and technological skills, plus the vital leadership experience which are key in building a sustainable and impactful business. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to learn how to grow the business,” Ms Buthelezi said.
Additionally, Ms Buthelezi said that the trip to the camp also presented an excellent opportunity for her to build strong partnerships and bring back innovative and more efficient farming solutions to support her community.
“I intend to use this opportunity to grow Kwa TK Farming into a fully operational agri-enterprise that creates jobs, strengthens food security and rural development in Nquthu,” she asserted.
Pictured: The innobiz DUT entourage travelling for the KMUTNB Leadership Camp 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, shortly after their arrival in the Thai capital on Monday. From left to right DUT Entrepreneurial Studies and Management lecturer Lana-Ann Brady, Nompumelelo Ngcobo of Oluhlaza Energy, Zama Gcabashe of Edga Scents, Kwanele Mazibuko of Fortunate Nest, Ayanda Buthelezi of Kwa TK Farming Enterprise.
Samkelo Mtshali
