A DHET chief director applauds six years of entrepreneurial innovation at students’ intervarsity award ceremony

The EDHE programme represents an important contribution to transformation in Higher Education in terms of growing studentpreneurship, developing an entrepreneurial mindset in academics across disciplines and developing entrepreneurial universities.

“Over the past six years, we have witnessed how this programme has positively affected students’ and staff academic development activities in our universities through a series of EDHE’s annual projects that include:

• Capacity development workshops for both students and staff in terms of their capacity to effect change
• The EDHE Lekgotla which creates a space to share ideas and good practice
• The Studentpreneurship Indaba which provides a space for peer-to-peer learning, sharing good practice, receiving expert guidance and feedback from industry and business
• The Student Women Economic Empowerment Project (SWEEP) which empowers  student women to participate in entrepreneurship
• Intervarsity Studentpreneurship competitions, enabling studentpreneurs to showcase their innovative and competitive business ideas, collaborate with and learn from one another and to secure further developmental support from experts in business and industry.

Tshabalala said he had also seen the significant role played by the establishment of Economic Activation Offices (EAOs) in responding to key objectives of the programme.

“As we move deeper into strengthening the programme, our focus on collaborations and partnerships is becoming particularly critical. In the current phase, our cooperation with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, business and industry is going to play a very crucial role in our resolve to expand our international collaborations and partnerships,” he said.

It was DHET’s hope that these awards not only honoured individual successes but also inspired a broader community of entrepreneurs to foster a mindset that transformed communities and industries.

 “These awards aim to recognise and celebrate the entrepreneurs who are reshaping the economy through unique initiatives,” Tshabalala said. “Entrepreneurship gives one a sense of autonomy: As your own boss, you have the freedom to make decisions and control your own destiny, do what you enjoy, have the opportunity to be creative, build an enterprise, and develop your own schedule.”

He added that the Department would like to see entrepreneurs “who are not just chasing profits but are also dedicated to making a positive difference in the country and the world, entrepreneurs who also impact society and the economy by creating employment and products or services that can improve the quality of life for many”.

He shared with the audience the key priorities of the Government of National Unity (GNU) that the President unveiled in his Opening of Parliament Address this year – priorities that result from the GNU’s programme.

“He emphasised that these priorities are in line with the National Development Plan Vision 2030, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 for the growth and development of our continent.”

The GNU priorities are:

• To drive inclusive growth and job creation
• To reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living
• To build a capable, ethical and developmental state

Entrepreneurship, he said, has a vital role to play in all these priorities.

“Let us locate ourselves in the priorities above in the context of the theme of this conference. Today, we celebrate excellence in university entrepreneurship—a force that’s reshaping our educational landscape and economic future. 

With reference to success stories from previous year’s awardees who continued their businesses after they left the university, Tshabalala said the impact of university entrepreneurship programmes could not be overstated. “This shows that our universities are not just teaching business – they are incubating dreams and launching futures. What is particularly encouraging is the surge in demand for entrepreneurial education.”

During Covid, which he described as a time of change and challenge, the need for entrepreneurship education became evident. “This tells us something profound: when faced with uncertainty, our students don’t back down – they innovate, they create, they lead.

“The awards we present today recognise more than just people or institutions. They celebrate a vision of education that bridges the gap between academic theory and real-world impact. These awards acknowledge the academic institutions that are active in entrepreneurship education and most importantly, the people who have the greatest impact on our entrepreneurial ecosystem. These people are our students and our universities’ leadership.”

Turning to the award recipients, he said their work extended beyond the classroom. 

Twenty-three student finalists made it to the final round where they competed in four categories: Existing Business: Tech; Existing Business: Social Impact; Existing Business: General and Research-Based Businesses.

“You’re not just learning entrepreneurship – you are unleashing potential, fostering resilience, and building the foundation for future innovation. Your programmes are the launchpads from which the next generation of world-changing ideas will take flight. 

“We acknowledge that you had to navigate multiple obstacles including the difficult balance of starting businesses with limited resources while excelling in your studies, yet, within these challenges, you saw opportunities for innovation and growth. This is encouraging.”

He told students and aspiring entrepreneurs in universities that their courage to dream big, to take risks, and to pursue their vision ‘inspires us all’. 

“As we recognise these outstanding start-ups today, we are investing in future possibilities. Every award that will be presented here represents countless hours of hard work, mentorship, innovation, and dedication to excellence in entrepreneurial education. Let these awards serve not as an endpoint, but as a milestone in our collective journey toward fostering entrepreneurship in higher education. Together, we’re building more than programmes – we’re creating a legacy of innovation that will shape our world for generations to come.”

Looking forward, Mr Tshabalala said, focus had to be on strengthening the ecosystem that supports student entrepreneurship. 

“This means we need to continue to foster closer ties between universities, industry partners, and government initiatives to create more opportunities for practical experience, mentorship, and access to resources. We must work together to ensure that entrepreneurship education in South African universities isn’t just about teaching business principles – it’s about creating a new generation of job creators, innovators, and economic leaders who will shape our nation’s future.

“The path ahead may be challenging, but the potential impact of successful student entrepreneurship on our economy and society is immeasurable. Together, we can build a stronger, more entrepreneurial South Africa, one student entrepreneur at a time.”

Charmain Naidoo is a contract writer for Universities South Africa