The inaugural Midlands Campus’ Entrepreneurship Day was hosted on 19 September 2017 at the Riverside Campus’ soccer grounds. Almost 1000 students from both Indumiso and Riverside Campuses, business support industry like Seda, IDC, KZN Economic Development, the Premier’s office, the seasoned KZN entrepreneurs and our Midlands academics attended this massive event, which was the first of its kind in the Midlands Campus.
The Department of Applied Management proposed to host this event on behalf of the University Management to help stir, instill and enhance entrepreneurship interest to our students through exhibitions, business talks and panel discussions with the business industry and academics as well as establish networks that will help support the proposed establishment of the Entrepreneurial Desk/Center at the Midlands.
The keynote speaker was Ms Gugu Moloi, founder and Managing Director of Iman’ Africa Holdings. Ms Moloi has a solid track record in the business sector having served as Chief Executive Officer for Umgeni Water from 2002 to 2006. Ms Moloi highlighted how South Africa as a member of BRICS has opened up opportunities for South African entrepreneurs to enter the international business stage; she noted that entrepreneurs could now do business in emerging markets like Brazil, China and India.
The event had four panels with discussants from the business support and academic communities covering important topics such as getting started, financing your business, access to market and branding .The programme panelists included Prof Prinsloo from the DUT Technology Transfer and Innovation (TTI), Mr Siphiwe Ngcobo the owner and founder of Ilawu Hospitality Group, Mr Walter Mkhize from IDC, Mr Mike Zondo, branch manager at SEDA Umgungundlovu District, Mr Ndumiso Mthethwa founder of Chilla Nathi Concepts, Mr Baxolele from Awesome brands, Mr Thusi from 2CEE Holdings, Dr Albert our Management lecturer, Ms McDonald from Seda Ms Thembisa Mjwacu and Ms Ntokozo Ndlela both from the Public Relations Management Programme.
The event also sought to encourage an entrepreneurial spirit in students by giving students an opportunity to exhibit their products. The exhibition included business stands selling energy drinks, perfumes and skincare products, fruit and vegetables, confectionaries, food and many other stalls selling different products.
Fourty (40) students were identified for the 2018 business mentorship program and other entrepreneurial programs which include ‘adopt a student business concept’ and the incubation programme.
Pictured: Ms Gugu Moloi, founder and Managing Director of Iman’ Africa Holding; HoD (Applied Management – Mr BI Dlamini ); Ms Nontokozo Grace Ngcobo (Snr Lecturer, WiL Coordinator and Event Organiser), Mr Siphiwe Ngcobo (Founder of Ilawu Hospitality Group), Mr Walter Mkhize (IDC), Mr Mike Zondo (Branch Manager at SEDA Umgungundlovu District), Mr Ndumiso Mthethwa (founder of Chilla Nathi Concepts), Mr Baxolele (Awesome Brands), Mr Thusi (2CEE Holdings), Dr Albert (Management lecturer), Ms McDonald (SEDA), Ms Thembisa Mjwacu and Ms Ntokozo Ndlela both from the Public Relations Management Programme and Prof Gerhard Prinsloo (Director: Technology, Transfer and Innovation Representing DVC(Research, Innovation & Engagement) Office of the DUT).
Copy supplied by: Ntokozo Ngcobo
