The Empoweredpreneurs Programme at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently hosted a two-day workshop that brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, and industry experts at the Southern Sun Maharani Hotel. The event provided a dynamic platform for attendees to share knowledge, exchange innovative business ideas, and transform their entrepreneurial visions into tangible reality.
The aim of the programme was to empower student entrepreneurs and social leaders. It provided them with the necessary tools and support to develop their innovative business ideas and took them to the next level. Additionally, the programme equipped social leaders with essential skills and knowledge to drive positive change and impact in their communities. The success of the programme was a testament to the collaborative efforts of the external partners, including ENSYNC ENGINEERS, Verbz Street Dance Academy, and SMG.
Yâchal du Plessis, a lecturer in the Department of Applied Management at DUT and programme facilitator, delivered a warm and inspiring welcome address to the esteemed guests, students, and participants attending the business and social leader programme event. She mentioned that the event focused on two pivotal aspects: leadership and the project-based learning (PBL) strategy.
“The leadership component which are the importance of passion, skills, and problem-solving abilities in driving entrepreneurial success. This includes cultivating critical thinking, accountability, and effective decision-making skills to propel business ideas forward,” she explained.
She further explained that the PBL strategy was designed to facilitate a journey of self-discovery, empowering individuals to develop a solid plan and gain clarity on their next steps. Through the process, participants refined their business ideas, identified potential challenges, and created a roadmap for achieving their goals.
Verb Bhengu, a renowned South African street dance artist and choreographer, specialising in krump dance, took the stage to share his inspiring journey. With humility and passion, he recounted his experiences in the street dance world, highlighting the transformative power of dance in shaping his identity and purpose.
He underlined the significance of building meaningful connections and fostering a sense of community. He shared the story of Verbz Street Dance Academy, which he founded to provide a platform for children to discover the joy of dance and express their creativity. Through his academy, Bhengu aims to empower young minds, promote self-expression, and create a positive impact on his community.
Dexter Madlala, Executive Director of ENsync Engineers, delivered a captivating speech at the workshop, sharing his inspiring personal journey as a businessman. “It’s very important to invest in your family, and my mother was my hero,” he said.
Madlala’s address was a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and innovative thinking in overcoming adversity. He emphasised the importance of embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and learning and encouraged the participants to cultivate a resilient mindset in pursuit of their entrepreneurial aspirations.
The Empoweredpreneurs Programme featured four interactive activities designed to empower aspiring entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs:
Passion and Skills Discovery: This activity helped participants identify their strengths and passions, and how to leverage them in their business ventures.
Entrepreneurship Maze: This interactive challenge navigated participants through the complexities of entrepreneurship, teaching them valuable lessons and insights.
From Passion to Opportunity: In this activity, participants learned how to transform their passions into viable business opportunities, and how to create a roadmap for success.
Proactive Problem Solving and Resilience: This final activity equipped participants with the skills and mindset necessary to overcome obstacles and stay resilient in the face of challenges.
Through these engaging activities, participants developed new perspective and practical skills to help them develop and refine their business ideas and succeed as aspiring entrepreneurs.
Sinalenjabulo Ndlovu, a second-year student in Human Resources Management, took the opportunity to share her valuable insights gained from the Empoweredpreneurs Programme. “I learned that certain skills are required for specific tasks, and you cannot interchange them. Conducting thorough research is crucial to understanding the challenges you will face. Perseverance, self-belief, and resilience are essential qualities to cultivate to succeed,’’ she explained.
PBL Session: Discover, Master Class: Customer Journey, PBL Session: Develop and Creativity to Marketing and Customer Experience, and an interactive session were among the practical activities that took place on the second day of the event.
Menzi Hlongwa, a young boxer, additionally spoke about his boxing journey. He also used the occasion to instruct the guests in self-defense, exercise, and boxing techniques.
The SMG Group Marketing Manager, Warren Mockler with over 35 years of experience in textiles, operations and marketing specialising in customer journey experience. On his master class he delved on Marketing and Customer Experience.
“Since COVID-19 the whole world went up into the digital space marketing and most of the waiting in market digital budgets or marketing budgets that was spent on digital and digital effects in doing that we created a system for marketing and the customer centric journey. The customer centric journey, we mean that everything is moved towards the customer, everything is about the customer so in that journey and it is a digital journey not only a monologue media or various other channels. A customer journey is basically what a company will build when a customer is online primarily, from a full advertising state,’’ said Mockler.
Nosipho Renqwa also presented her case study titled: Developing a Comprehensive Marketing Strategy and Brand Identity Document for Faucet: A Case Study of a Fashion Apparel Marketplace.
Applied Management Sciences Head of Department (HOD) at DUT: Professor Bongani Dlamini, emphasised to the participants to take full advantage of this opportunity to create business uplift themselves, but the communities and the country’s economy.
‘’I am glad that you guys are here to benefit from this opportunity. If can notice all the universities are now encouraging students to pursue entrepreneurship. The unemployment is high in the country; therefore, you must stand up and do something about it. Have your own businesses, you are very lucky that the university is affording you such opportunities,’’ said Prof Dlamini.
Pictured: Young aspiring entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs with the programme facilitator at the EmpowerEDpreneurs programme
Photographer: Vukani Langa.
Phiwayinkosi Sibiya
