2023 Contributors
Ms Thobile Nokuthula Radebe
Paper 1: The current state of women’s entrepreneurship in South Africa
Thobile Nokuthula Radebe holds a BCom degree (Banking and Business Management), an honours degree (Business Management), and an MCom degree (Entrepreneurship) from the University of Zululand. She is currently completing a PhD in entrepreneurship at North-West University. She is currently employed at the University of Stellenbosch Business School as a lecturer in Strategic Management. Prior to working as a lecturer, Thobile Nokuthula Radebe served the University of Zululand, Department of Business Management, as a student and, thereafter, as a part-time lecturer. Outside of academia, she has been involved in various programmes and exhibitions, such as the Entrepreneurship Week programme, the Mbali International Conference, and the SAB Foundation programme as part of the organising team. She has published in accredited journals, and her primary research interest is entrepreneurship and the management of small businesses.
Prof. Mark Smith
Paper 1: The current state of women’s entrepreneurship in South Africa
Mark Smith is Director-elect at the Stellenbosch Business School (SA). He is former Faculty Dean & Professor of Human Resource Management at Grenoble Ecole de Management (FR). At Grenoble, he was Faculty Dean (2016 – 2020), Director of the Doctoral School (2013 – 2016), Head of Department (2012 – 2013), and research team leader of “Work Life Careers” (2012 – 2015). Prior to working in France, he worked at Manchester Business School (UK). His research interests are careers and labour market policy, specifically outcomes for women and men, including working conditions, working time, and work-life integration. He has authored or co-authored over 50 books, book chapters, and journal articles. He publishes regularly in the media about his research and the management of business schools. He has also been a member of the editorial board of Work, Employment & Society.
Ms Mahsa Samsami
Paper 2: Business angels as financiers of women’s entrepreneurship
Mahsa Samsami is a doctoral candidate at the University of Agder, Norway, after earning her Master’s degree in business administration from Tehran University. She is currently assisting at the University of Agder. Her academic background is complemented by extensive practical experience in business administration, notably family businesses, and in entrepreneurship. She has worked as a member of the board in a stock exchange brokerage, and is a member of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. She has published in journals such as the International Review of Entrepreneurship, the European Journal of International Management, Sustainability, the Journal of Risk and Financial Management, and Developments in Entrepreneurial Finance and Technology.
Prof. Natanya Meyer
Paper 2: Business angels as financiers of women’s entrepreneurship
Natanya holds a B.Com and Honours degree in Economics and Risk Management, a Master’s in Development and Management and a PhD in Entrepreneurship from North-West University. She joined the University of Johannesburg in 2020 as part of the DHET-NRF SARChI in Entrepreneurship Education. Prior to joining academia, she owned and managed three successful businesses, highlighting her passion for entrepreneurship. She has been involved in the development of entrepreneurial student societies, served as an executive member of the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce, and as a community of practice member in the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education initiative launched by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) in 2017. She is also co-author of the latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor South Africa report, received a Y-rating from the National Research Foundation in 2021, and has published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles in national and international journals and conference proceedings.
Mr Angus Bowmaker-Falconer
Paper 2: Business angels as financiers of women’s entrepreneurship
Dr Nishana Bhogal
Paper 3: Women entrepreneurs tackle period poverty
Dr Nishana Bhogal is a Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at Stellenbosch Business School and a Fulbright fellow. Her research focuses on entrepreneurship in impoverished contexts. Prior to commencing her academic career, Dr Bhogal gained extensive professional experience in the private and public sectors in South Africa, and international exposure working in the Cayman Islands. During this time, she focused on re-engineering business processes, and was a key contributor to numerous information systems design and implementation projects. In addition, she played a pivotal role in business turnaround strategies and business intelligence.
Prof. Thea Tselepis
Paper 4: Women shaping entrepreneurship education
Thea Tselepis obtained her PhD at the University of Pretoria in 2014 with a study on entrepreneurial orientation of design SMEs. She is an interdisciplinary academic and Associate Professor in the College of Business and Economics at the University of Johannesburg. She was part of the Women in Leadership programme at UJ, a former Head of Department, and a member of the NRF Performing Art and Design rating panel, and is currently affiliated with the South African Research Chair Initiative for Entrepreneurship Education. In 2022, she qualified as a dialogue- and SETA-accredited coach, and was acknowledged in 2015 as a change agent who applies the Ashoka-endorsed A2B methodology for transformation in her endeavours. Her passion for design thinking developed through her academic career and her experience gained from owning businesses, and enables her to conceptualise and lead innovative projects and coach other academics on teaching strategy.
Prof. Cecile Nieuwenhuizen
Paper 4: Women shaping entrepreneurship education
Cecile Nieuwenhuizen is Professor and the Chair of the DHET-NRF SARChI Entrepreneurship Education at the University of Johannesburg. She is co-author and/or editor of 52 books and 102 articles in accredited peer-reviewed journals and conferences. She was awarded three Best Paper Awards at international conferences and has a Google Scholar h-index 20. She has supervised nine doctorates and 20 Master’s students to graduation. She has participated in the start-up and growth of various family businesses, including professional business services, retirement villages, and care centres for the elderly.
Are you interested in contributing to the next Women’s Report? Do you have meaningful insights and research to share on women and their impact on business and society? We want to hear from you.
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