The Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator (CSERI) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently hosted a Business Systems session designed to equip entrepreneurs with essential tools and systems to drive growth, streamline operations, and succeed in a competitive business environment.
The event welcomed over 20 entrepreneurs as part of this year’s CSERI programme, which supports the growth and sustainability of Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). Participants represent diverse sectors, including services, healthcare, construction, manufacturing, food and beverage, technology, agriculture, energy, transportation, and creative industries, highlighting the broad impact of the initiative.
In her opening remarks, Snelisiwe Hlongwane, Marketing Officer, welcomed entrepreneurs and reminded them to ensure they are registered in the DUT database. She emphasised that products must align with DUT needs to be considered for supplier opportunities. Hlongwane also highlighted an upcoming fully funded trip to Mauritius, encouraging entrepreneurs to submit proper documentation for nomination. The sessions in Mauritius will provide valuable learning opportunities, with applications closing on 19 March 2026. Side visits will commence on 23 February 2026.
Brightness Nyawose, Business Development Officer, briefed participants on the side visits, which are grouped into clusters such as Durban CBD and Pinetown. The visits aim to verify that entrepreneurs have suitable workspaces, noting that working from a bedroom or other inappropriate space is not acceptable.
Dr Helper Zhou, Founder of Quantilytix, delivered a presentation on entrepreneurship, SMEs, innovation, and systems thinking for sustainable business development. Drawing from research, professional experience, and global examples, he explained that many South African SMEs fail not due to lack of funding but because of poor systems, limited innovation, and insufficient strategic adaptation. Despite over R1.1 trillion invested in SMEs since democracy, failure rates remain around 80 percent, underscoring that financial support alone does not guarantee success. SMEs must focus on self-reliance, technology integration, and structured operational systems.
A central theme of Dr Zhou’s presentation was embracing failure as a growth tool. Entrepreneurs were encouraged to adopt a “fail fast” mindset, testing ideas quickly, learning from mistakes, and improving continuously with examples including Mark Zuckerberg, Airbnb, SpaceX, and Steven Bartlett. He distinguished failure from negligence, explaining that failed attempts provide feedback, while negligence results from lack of effort. Structured customer feedback, pattern-driven thinking, asymmetric advantage, and data-driven assumption testing were highlighted as key strategies.
Entrepreneurs must identify and leverage their unique skills or resources to create an advantage that sets them apart in the market. SMEs should test assumptions using data and pilot programmes, treating failures as information rather than loss, Dr Zhou said. He emphasised that sustainable business success depends on systems, innovation, strategic foresight, and continuous learning.
Entrepreneurs actively engaged with Dr Zhou, asking questions about business systems, innovation, and practical implementation. Many offered constructive suggestions to enhance the QxAnalytix system’s usability across different industries.
One participant, Siphumze Ngcaku, founder of Stunkie Delux, reflected on the session’s value. She said, “Actively participating in such programmes helps entrepreneurs develop critical knowledge, strengthen management skills, and gain the confidence needed to run a business effectively. Dr Zhou’s presentation of the QxAnalytix system was particularly eye-opening, showing how data and structured analysis can transform decision-making.”
Pictured: The Founder of Quantilytix, Dr Helper Zhou.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Phiwayinkosi Sibiya
