The Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Studentpreneurs Indaba and Lekgotla took place at the University of South Africa’s (UNISA) Pretoria Campus, from 6 to 9 October 2025, attracting hundreds of students, academics and experts from around the world.
Hosted by Universities South Africa (USAf), in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)’s Alliance for Entrepreneurial Universities in Africa (AEUA), the events were held back-to-back, with the 8th annual EDHE Studentpreneurs Indaba empowered by Absa taking place on 6 and 7 October, followed by the 7th annual EDHE Lekgotla, held on 8 and 9 October.
These flagship gatherings brought together more than 700 delegates, including student entrepreneurs, academics, practitioners, policymakers and partners from across South Africa and beyond. Under the unifying theme of “Entrepreneurship for Sustainability”, the four-day programme created a vibrant and inclusive platform for dialogue, learning, collaboration and innovation.
The EDHE Studentpreneurs Indaba attracted hundreds of student entrepreneurs from all 26 South African public universities, alongside international delegates from Kenya, Lesotho, Botswana, Canada, the Netherlands and South Korea. The Indaba reaffirmed its role as a catalyst for ethical, sustainable entrepreneurship, empowering young people to address societal challenges through innovation and enterprise.
Opening the Indaba, UNISA Vice Chancellor Professor Puleng LenkaBula, the first woman to lead the institution in its 147-year history, delivered a powerful address on ethical leadership and inclusive innovation. She called for a new wave of entrepreneurship that is not only commercially viable but also socially responsible, urging students to embrace digital transformation, safeguard intellectual property and scale their ventures across the continent.
Professor Puleng LenkaBula (UNISA Vice Chancellor)
“This gathering is more than a conference. It is a convergence of global thinkers, students and seekers of knowledge; individuals committed to using their learning, research and passion not merely to seek employment, but to create it,” she said.
The Indaba featured a mix of dynamic activities, including the Amazing Race Challenge – a digital exploration designed by EDHE and Quest Visits organised by the Tshwane Economic Development Agency. Delegates participated in interactive sessions and panel discussions on topics like township entrepreneurship, cross-border e-commerce, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and opportunities from the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Absa Group, as lead sponsor, demonstrated its commitment to youth empowerment and financial inclusion. Ms Nonhlanhla Magagula, Head of Corporate Citizenship Programmes, highlighted that Absa’s support goes beyond funding to create sustainable pathways for youth participation in the economy.
Ms Nonhlanhla Magagula (Head of Corporate Citizenship Programmes, Absa Group)
The momentum carried into the EDHE Lekgotla, which convened some 350 academics, practitioners and partners to advance entrepreneurship development within higher education institutions.
Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube delivered the keynote address, highlighting the transformation achieved through the EDHE Programme. “Entrepreneurship is no longer a peripheral activity. It is now strategically recognised as a priority area within our universities. Leadership is not only embracing it; they are driving it, integrating it into the very fabric of their institutions,” she said.
Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube (Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training)
She urged academics and researchers to integrate entrepreneurial thinking into their teaching and research, focusing on commercialising solutions for real-world challenges. Initiatives like Communities of Practice and Economic Activation Offices are essential for fostering entrepreneurial mindsets among staff and students.
USAf CEO Dr Phethiwe Matutu reinforced this vision, stating: “We recognise entrepreneurship as a powerful driver of economic growth, innovation, job creation and social transformation. It promotes responsible business models and sustainable practices, and universities are central to cultivating vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystems. Entrepreneurship must become part of the DNA of our institutions.”
Dr Phethiwe Matutu (Universities South Africa CEO)
The Lekgotla included panel discussions, workshops, and site visits to local startups, focusing on how AI tools can boost research and innovation, lower costs, and speed up development. Other sessions addressed sustainable innovation in various economies, social entrepreneurship, sustainable investment, and technology’s role in aligning universities with national and global goals.
Both the Indaba and the Lekgotla emphasised that entrepreneurship is crucial for the future of higher education and sustainable development in South Africa. They highlighted the link between student, staff, and curriculum development, showing that strong entrepreneurship programmes can improve experiences for both students and academics.
The EDHE Programme equips students with entrepreneurial skills and fosters innovation, creating socially conscious and sustainability-driven leaders. A centralised online repository for entrepreneurship research will enhance knowledge-sharing and collaboration across institutions.
These combined events also showcased the importance of partnerships – between universities, government, industry and civil society – in creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, as the ecosystem is aligning to support young innovators and embed entrepreneurship into the very fabric of higher education.
The 2025 EDHE Studentpreneurs Indaba and Lekgotla concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and momentum. As Dr Edwell Gumbo, Director: Entrepreneurship at USAf, noted in his closing remarks, the gatherings reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to embedding entrepreneurship in higher education as a driver of sustainable impact.
Dr Edwell Gumbo (Director: Entrepreneurship at USAf)