The Durban University of Technology (DUT) innobiz Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation invited all student entrepreneurs incubated under the business incubation programme, to attend the Student Business Breakfast held recently at the Indumiso Campus in the Midlands.
The programme was aimed at engaging with entrepreneurs and strengthening the existing relationship for efficient and exponential growth. The innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation manager, Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo facilitated the programme, meanwhile the Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at DUT, Professor Keolebogile Motaung welcomed all students, mentors and guest speakers who took the time to attend the event. Prof Motaung advised students to seize the opportunities provided to them by the university, to develop themselves and their businesses. Moreover, she shared that the university is dedicated to ensuring that students have all the resources they need to be adaptive, innovative, and entrepreneurial.
“The DUT ENVISION2030 speaks of producing adaptive graduates, and that is what innobiz is here to do. We are grateful to see innovative entrepreneurs who bring innovative solutions using the education they receive from DUT. The future of the institution and South Africa depends on you,” said Prof Motaung.
The programme was also attended by DUT Procurement Director, Ms Nonhlanhla Gumbi who explained the DUT procurement systems and processes to the entrepreneurs. Gumbi encouraged students to invest time in learning business systems that will position their businesses as preferred suppliers or service providers for customers. She further shared words of gratitude to innobiz for the opportunity to share her contribution to the entrepreneurship programme.
“You have the most advantage, while you are incubated under innobiz DUT, seek information, join programmes and learn as much as you can to understand business systems. Opportunities are not usually served to you on a silver platter, but here you are already given that platter, so take time and work with us,” said Gumbi.
Business Advisor, Ms Mandisa Jostrey from Business Doctors outlined the Enterprise Supplier Development Programme, explaining that they wish to assist innobiz in positioning businesses for the next level of growth.
“We will be doing a gap analysis exercise for operational businesses to get a true reflection of where your businesses are, your strengths, weakness, where we can intervene and ensure that your businesses grow,” Jostrey explained.
Jostrey also emphasized on the importance of capacitating and building business systems that will allow the enterprises to operate without the owner and sustainable businesses that can operate under any environment. She further encouraged students to make use of the mentors provided to them to ensure that their businesses have all their systems in order.
“You need to acknowledge that you are privileged to be here, you are part of a chosen few to access this opportunity, one has to commend DUT for being a trendsetter for ensuring such opportunities are available for their students,” she added.
The programme concluded with testimonials from innobiz entrepreneurs and alumnus. Founder of Glodin Travel, Mr Nhlakanipho Nzuza, who shared insight with other entrepreneurs and he encouraged them to fight for their businesses.
“Always be on your feet and always fight for your business, it is not easy, you will lose money, you will lose friends but if you are dedicated you will succeed,” he explained.
His statement was supported by Ms Lungisile Dube, the founder of forward Slash IT, who commended the centre for not only focusing on the business but also the entrepreneur.
“innobiz provided me with personal development, not just business development, you might have a great idea, but if you are not developed as an entrepreneur, it will be difficult to reach your business goals,” said Dube.
Pictured: Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Keolebogile Motaung during the Business Breakfast.
Photographer: Khonzinkosi Magcaba.
Nontethelelo Mzizi
