The Director: Entrepreneurship, Universities South Africa (USAf), Dr Edwell Gumbo, began his opening address by naming those on the guestlist that included vice-chancellors, their deputies, deans, directors, members of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), senior university academics, sponsors, representatives from funding foundations, captains of industry, international supporters, interested well-wishers and students.
Addressing the EDHE (Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education) Intervarsity 2024 National Finals, which showcased the leading student entrepreneurs and businesses across 26 South African universities for the sixth consecutive year, he explained why he had devoted so much time naming those in attendance.
“This shows the collaborative nature of this programme and how many people are interested in what we do. What we do is drive innovation, engagement, research and the commercialisation of that research that will lead to the best 21st century solutions and industries that will employ our people.”
Entries
This year there were 599 entries across all 26 South African Universities, of which 165 made it to the regional rounds. There were 23 finalists in the four categories: Existing Business: Tech; Existing Business: Social Impact; Existing Business: General and Research-Based Businesses.
Dr Gumbo (right) called this event a celebration of innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial excellence within universities. “We gather to honour the visionaries from university leadership to the student entrepreneurs who take their time to demonstrate remarkable courage, resilience and ingenuity in their pursuit of solving societal challenges through entrepreneurship.”
Entrepreneurship, he added, was no longer a peripheral activity in South African universities – but was at the heart of the modern university.
Hubs of innovation
“Our universities are not just centres of academic excellence; they are also hubs of innovation and economic development. Through initiatives like EDHE, we are reimagining what it means to equip students for the future. We are embedding entrepreneurial thinking across disciplines where we nurture problem solvers who can transform classrooms into boardrooms, research projects into thriving enterprises and challenges into opportunities.”
This event was a testament to the strides being made in harnessing the power of entrepreneurship to drive not only South Africa’s development, but development on the African Continent, the EDHE Director stated.
Ideas breeding grounds
“Universities are the breeding ground for ideas that can reshape industries, address inequality and promote inclusive growth. At EDHE, we envision universities where every graduate leaves not just with an academic qualification but with the tools, network, mindset to build businesses, create jobs and drive solutions; where we create the world that we all want to live in, a society where we all are proud of.”
He acknowledged the pioneer of the EDHE event, Dr Norah Clarke – EDHE inaugural director who was with the programme until December 2023. He thanked stakeholders for having seen the importance and strategic nature of this initiative of supporting student entrepreneurs and academics.
“As we move forward, let us resolve to make entrepreneurship not just an activity but a culture in every university across South Africa and beyond.
African participants
Dr Gumbo acknowledged partner universities from across the African continent – represented by Dr Otlhapile Dinakenyane from the Botswana International University of Science and Technology, and Dr Alice Mutiti Mweetwa from the University of Zambia. Both served on the eight-person judging panel.
“This shows that we are a family that works together with our neighbours to co-create solutions that will provide an economic gateway to our young people which will lead to the economic growth of our society.”
The modern university
Dr Phethiwe Matutu (left), Chief Executive Officer of USAf, called entrepreneurship “a significant part of the modern university where the simple purpose is to drive economic development within countries”.
She said advanced universities globally have eco-systems built to drive entrepreneurship, for students and academics, as well as the public at large. Universities are the centre of knowledge production which distinguishes them from any other training centre. This becomes evident when people and businesses turn to universities for knowledge creation.
Universities therefore need to remain relevant, Dr Matutu said, meaning institutions must understand the economy and entrepreneurship within SA and what is needed to advance the economy so that no one is left behind.
“No other institution possesses such capacity or capabilities. It’s crucial for EDHE to advance that capacity, that research development within our country.”
She said it was encouraging that institutions like the Tshwane University of Technology were calling for research trials within entrepreneurship. “This means that we have to understand the space which will not just be driven by activities but knowledge — so policies regarding entrepreneurship will be evidence based.”
Invaluable Skills Set
Referring to the finalists in the competition, she said: “Whether these students decide to do something else after having presented their businesses, the skills that they have acquired as a consequence of their work remain.”
The students had been exposed to entrepreneurship development, the Economic Activation Offices at their universities and their academics’ teaching, Dr Matutu said. They had also observed the research generated and the technology development resulting from a combination of those processes. “In whatever area they are likely to go, henceforth, they will thrive,” said the USAf CEO.
The acquired skillsets extended to understanding the legal environment; the creativity and communication needed to convince others to buy into their ideas, the practical experience and the competency to manage people employed in their businesses.
“This level of training is unmatched. While we ensure there’s proper incubation, the taking forward and expansion of those businesses – and the success of the trained individual – are all very important to us.”
Infrastructure needed
She said once all universities have the necessary infrastructure to run entrepreneurship training that contributes to the economy, “we will know that we have succeeded,” Dr Matutu said.
The USAf CEO said the sector was lucky to have “funders and our government behind us, as well as the structures working on creating an appropriate entrepreneurship ecosystem. “For our part, we must ensure that we consolidate all the work that has been done and move forward.”
Charmain Naidoo is a contract writer for Universities South Africa.