Ms Daniella Amaral, a lecturer at Varsity College, is currently completing her PhD in entrepreneurship. She said that “stimulating students to create a better world through their entrepreneurial ventures” is her motivation to provide innovative teaching in entrepreneurship education.

Ms Tiyani Baadjie is also completing a PhD, and is a lecturer at the University of Johannesburg. She noted that “fostering entrepreneurial skills is important in instilling an entrepreneurial mindset”. Ms Baadjie takes pleasure in seeing “future-ready” graduates, and is committed to investing in young minds, as she considers them the future of the country.

Ms Chanté Botha, a Programme Manager of Executive Education at IIE MSA, is also in the process of completing a PhD. She shared her approach to educating her students and why she views it as necessary: “I arrange field trips for the students to visit, for example, an incubation hub, to experience the practical side of entrepreneurship. Within the actual classroom, I focus on practical activities… My assessments are also application-based, rather than only focusing on theoretical content. This enables the students to apply the theoretical knowledge in real life. This encourages and provides confidence to students to consider starting their businesses, which is critical for the growth of our economy.”

Prof. Evelyn Derera from the University of KwaZulu-Natal focuses her energy on her postgraduate students. She noted: “Gender occupies a special place among the explored [research] themes”. She believes that findings from the studies that she and her students embark on will have important implications for policymakers, practitioners, and managers seeking to improve the entrepreneurial education ecosystem. It is therefore evident that her intention is to improve the macrosystem by ensuring that it supports an inclusive entrepreneurial culture.

I am passionate about seeing students develop their business ideas and grow them. I am assisting students to develop their skills. This will assist the students and their businesses in practice.

Prof. Giselle Mah, North-West University

Prof. Brownhilder Neneh is a full professor in entrepreneurship and the Academic Chair in the Business Management department at the University of the Free State. Her primary focus is “fostering research and development of entrepreneurial competencies and behaviours vital for successfully navigating the entrepreneurial pipeline — intentions, start-up, own or manage, grow, and exit — with a special emphasis on students and women entrepreneurship”. She believes her work is important for students, as she has utilised her research findings to “revamp teaching and training materials, empowering students to progress from mere intention formation to effectively commencing their businesses”. Her work is also shared with the larger community.

I teach students how important creativity is in entrepreneurship from Day 1. My view is that successful entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs should break away from old thinking patterns and embrace their creativity.

Prof. Ziska Fields, University of Johannesburg

Dr Menisha Moos of the University of Pretoria seeks a balance between lecturing and facilitating students making their own discoveries. She encourages students to think critically about the entrepreneurial ecosystem. She makes use of real-life case studies in class, stating: “Entrepreneurship is such a practical subject.”

I apply the design thinking process in stimulating students’ entrepreneurial mindset. Empathising with potential users allows the students to get to know the real problem.

Ms Onica Matsheke, Vaal University of Technology

Prof. Cecile Nieuwenhuizen of the University of Johannesburg (SARChI: Entrepreneurship Education Chair) views her role as building capacity through postgraduate supervision, developing young academics, and conducting research. “Entrepreneurship development, including entrepreneurship education, has been my research niche.” She was awarded an honorary doctorate in entrepreneurship by the Krakow University of Economics for her contributions to the discipline.

Prof. Sandra Perks of Nelson Mandela University specialises in research related to marketing small businesses to enable entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.

Prof. Samantha Govender, Deputy Dean of Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, reflected on her contribution to entrepreneurship education: “I made a few strides … starting with infusing entrepreneurship education into the curriculum, introducing and encouraging interested students to participate in planned entrepreneurial activities, forming a task team in the faculty, having faculty representatives participate in university activities and participating as a member of the university entrepreneurship committee.”

In order to ensure continuous and impactful innovation and entrepreneurship, the DUT has identified that a distinctive education in entrepreneurship needs to be delivered through curricula and research that stimulate creativity and innovation that lead to the creation of start-ups, spin-outs, and people-centred, engaged entrepreneurship.

Prof. Keolebogile Motaung of the Durban University of Technology, who is Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, is a research scientist and entrepreneur. She trains her postgraduate students not just on how to do research and become a scientist, but also to become entrepreneurs. She illustrated entrepreneurial thinking by founding a spin-out company called Global Health Biotech in 2016, based on her research. She described her academic role as enabling and monitoring engaged entrepreneurship.

Prof. Makhosazana Faith Vezi-Magigaba (“Nana”) is Deputy Dean: Teaching and Learning (Faculty of Commerce Administration and Law) at the University of Zululand, and the co-ordinator of entrepreneurship activities at her institution. She said her institution is on a mission to “infuse entrepreneurship in all curricula”. As a leader and decision-maker in her institution, she plays a pivotal role in “collaboration with other universities, nationally and internationally, to establish the Entrepreneurship Centre”.

Dr Stella Bvuma of the University of Johannesburg has a passion for “the area of ICT4 development and technology adoption in particular areas, such as ICT as an enabler for business growth and sustainability, digital technology for inclusivity, and the digital economy”. She was a category winner of Women of Stature 2023 (Women in Technology), and is a role model for many of her students and the staff she leads at UJ. Dr Bvuma sees a way forward in South Africa, one where women can make positive changes in the economic environment through technology, which, in her view, enables inclusivity.

Dr Anrusha Bhana of the Durban University of Technology shared her passion for family entrepreneurship education, which stems from her “third-generation family business entrepreneurship background”. She firmly believes that entrepreneurship “will create generational wealth and will positively impact social societies”. As an example of interdisciplinary scholarship, she supports the development of accounting skills in entrepreneurs, as well as entrepreneurship research for accountants.

I have a keen interest in developing entrepreneurship as a compulsory module in teacher education programmes.

Dr Anita Hiralaal, Durban University of Technology

Dr Patricia Opondo of the University of KwaZulu-Natal teaches a foundational entrepreneurship course at the School of Arts of UKZN. Her passions include cultural events management and impacting youths interested in arts management, curating small and medium-size cultural and heritage events, and film and media projects. She is currently the Entrepreneurship Champion of the School of Arts of UKZN.

Prof. Miemie Struwig of Nelson Mandela University is currently involved in many multi-disciplinary research projects, with entrepreneurship as one of her research foci.

Prof. Thea Tselepis of the University of Johannesburg is involved in entrepreneurship for creatives, with a focus on interdisciplinary problem-solving, underpinned by a design thinking methodology. “I enjoy designing and implementing accessible platforms and tools for interdisciplinary students who want to become entrepreneurial.” She is also an NRF-rated researcher.

Prof. Matshediso Mohapeloa, “Prof Tshidi”, is Acting Director of the newly formed Rhodes University Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator. She leads a postgraduate diploma through the Entrepreneurial and Technological Empowerment Programme. Prof. Tshidi also has a strong focus on engaging the community in entrepreneurship education. She described the advantages and importance of community engagement in learning for her students as “gaining business work experience and engaging on societal business”. Her role as Deputy Chair of the Community of Practice for Learning and Teaching in the Entrepreneurship Development of Higher Education (EDHE) is also acknowledged.

I am passionate about family businesses and family entrepreneurship, which is also my main research focus area.

Prof. Elmarie Venter is a well-known presenter, facilitator, mentor, and consultant in the field of family businesses. She is an NRF-rated researcher and thought leader in the field, and the co-founder and acting director of the NMU Family Business Unit, the first and only of its kind in Africa. She has a profound understanding of the importance of a healthy interrelationship between family in business and business in families.

Dr Thea van der Westhuizen of the University of KwaZulu-Natal applies SHAPE, which is an acronym for the social technology named Shifting Hope, Activating Potential Entrepreneurship. This ecosystem strategy can be seen as an applied approach to systemic action research. She is also the Chair of the Learning and Teaching Community of Practice of the EDHE, and leads as she expects from her students: “with an entrepreneurial heartset, mindset, and handset”.

The research of Prof. Luzaan Hamilton, North-West University, is situated in the field of entrepreneurship, with a special focus on the promotion of women- and student entrepreneurship in South Africa. She noted: “My commitment to community development includes my involvement in initiatives such as presenter of a short learning programme for women business start-ups and panel member for business pitch competitions.”

Prof. Melodi Botha of the University of Pretoria started her career “by developing the Women Entrepreneurship Programme” to empower women entrepreneurs in South Africa. She later broadened her mission to “collaborate with Allan and Gill Gray Philanthropy Africa, to enhance the entrepreneurial competency levels of entrepreneurs in Africa”. Her contributions and collaboration with industry enabled her to develop an NGO programme for SA Breweries and the Women in Leadership programme for the Presidency of South Africa. Her vision for the impact needed in the macrosystem is widely acknowledged, and she is also an NRF-rated researcher.

Dr Jabulile Msimango-Galawe of Wits focuses her research on the sustainability of small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs), enterprise development, and self-efficacy, particularly amongst women entrepreneurs. Her impact is direct, but, as she mentioned, “extends beyond the classroom, as I promote entrepreneurship and mentor and coach other entrepreneurs”.

Increasing social businesses is important to the local economy, since they are mission-driven companies that apply economic business principles to benefit underrepresented customers and communities.

Ms Adelaide Sheik of the University of Johannesburg focuses on social entrepreneurship.

Ms Joyce Sibeko of the University of Johannesburg has led entrepreneurship projects in schools, refugee- and welfare organisations, cooperatives, in farming, and in spaza shops. She shared that she is “driven by a deep commitment to creating positive change”.

Dr Norah Clarke has made it her mission to support entrepreneurship development in all public universities in South Africa. She describes her role as: “The founding member of the National Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education Programme [EDHE]. I am responsible for conceptualising, connecting, and scaling EDHE as a platform within and amongst all the public universities in South Africa.” Her leadership and advocacy, especially in championing student entrepreneurship, have been instrumental in establishing healthy growth, improved support, and a strengthened higher education entrepreneurship ecosystem, including policies, platforms, and ideas to support students, their lecturers, and the communities involved.

Entrepreneurship education is about going beyond the classroom and academic research by encompassing active engagement in entrepreneurship development to foster a culture of innovation and enterprise.

Prof. Shelley Farrington of Nelson Mandela University, an NRF-rated researcher, believes in big-picture thinking in inculcating entrepreneurial spirits and minds. Prof. Farrington is immersed in various activities, but noted that the most fulfilling aspect is the impact of these activities on her students: “Witnessing the impact of equipping students with entrepreneurial skills is very rewarding, and I continuously strive to cultivate self-reliance and creativity within them.”