Inspiring an entrepreneurial mindset and inculcating a culture of entrepreneurship is widely considered to be part of the solution for addressing the high rate of unemployment amongst South Africa’s youth.
In the spirit of this conviction and buoyed by the overwhelming response to the inaugural Student Entrepreneurship Week (SEW2017), The Entrepreneurial Wayz (TEWZ), a division of Wits Commercial Enterprise and the division of student affairs, is gearing up for this year’s edition.
SEW2018 takes place until 3 August, with a supercharged line-up of talks, student business clinics, master classes, interactive workshops, a pitching competition, displays, a market and more.
It is part of a nationwide initiative of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to increase the focus on entrepreneurial skills and encourage the youth to explore entrepreneurship rather than relying on formal employment.
Similar events will be taking place at universities across the country, said Chimene Chetty, director of TEWZ at Wits Commercial Enterprise.
According to Chetty, this week aims to bring home the concept of entrepreneurship in a dynamic and unintimidating setting.
There will be an inspiring line-up of speakers, including established entrepreneurs and representatives from big business.
“We want to open students’ eyes and imaginations to the vast array of opportunities that are available to young people for starting their own businesses, and forge their own way in the economy,” she said.
“They will tackle a host of topics from funding small businesses and generating an income, to entrepreneurial skills development and nurturing a positive, entrepreneurial mindset, amongst others.”
What makes this years’ programme stand out is that it has major representation from young business people who relate with our university students, said Chetty.
The theme is ‘Innovation’, and Chetty said it is at the core of every thriving small business, and in the heart of every aspiring entrepreneur.
“Innovation goes beyond something new, a new method, idea or device – it is the translation of ideas into action, to create solutions to meet unarticulated needs or better solutions for addressing existing ones.
“Innovation can be seen in the products and services that people create and innovation is also seen in the way in which they are delivered, and how people conduct their business.”
The workshops, talks, and activities will take place in the Wits Tshimologong Precinct, the Wits Library Lawns and the Grand Science Stadium.
Sessions start at 12 noon daily and it is free to attend by Wits students, however, students must register for the sessions they would like to attend.
Students are advised to register by logging into Register online at www.sew2018.co.za and follow the processes.
Details: @CommercialWits
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