At the University of the Free State (UFS), a spirit of innovation and social impact has been thriving for more than two decades through the efforts of the Enactus team. Enactus, an international non-profit organisation, empowers students to engage in social entrepreneurship, tackling pressing social and economic issues such as poverty, unemployment, and climate change. Enactus brings together student, academic, and business leaders, supported by faculty advisers, alumni, and business advisories to create a better world. With operations at 24 universities across South Africa, Enactus has found a significant foothold at the UFS, where its journey began.
Origins, notable successes and awards
Enactus at the UFS was initiated by Johan van der Westhuyzen, who brought the concept back from the USA after spending time as an exchange student at DePaul University in Chicago in 1999. The UFS Enactus team was formed as the first team in South Africa in the 2000-2001 programme year and participated in the inaugural SIFE (now Enactus) World Cup in London in the same year. The team was also invited to present its innovative and transforming community projects in Scotland.
The South Africa Enactus national programme started in 2002, meaning that Enactus UFS predates the national office. The UFS team achieved significant success earlier on, consecutively winning the first three competitions nationally. The Enactus UFS team is the only team in South Africa to have accomplished this feat. The team reached the World Cup final twice in the early years, which remains unmatched in South Africa. Having won the nationals four times, the team is the second most successful in the Enactus South Africa National Expositions.
Its last championship was in 2007, when it represented SIFE SA/Enactus SA at the World Cup in New York. The team has consistently demonstrated success in various Enactus competitions each year.
In 2014, the team received recognition for its triple bottom line and capacity-building efforts, followed by significant achievements in 2015, including R10 000 for its general efforts, second place in the MTN SA Foundation ICT Enactus Challenge, and USD5 000 from the Ford C3 Building Sustainable Communities Project Partnership. In 2016, the team continued its winning streak with top placements in various thematic challenges. It received prestigious awards, such as the Enactus SA Senior Alumnus of the Year and the Evan Poulos Leadership Excellence Award.
The team's success was further cemented in 2017 with total cash winnings of R21 000 and multiple top-three finishes in thematic challenges. Its most notable achievement came in 2018 when it won R103 200, including first place in the Opening Round League 2. The following years saw continued success, with the team securing significant cash prizes and sponsorships, notably winning R25 000 in 2019 and R52 500 in 2021, alongside recognition in various Enactus challenges and securing team sponsorships.
In 2022, the team won R27 000, along with the Summer Action Challenge and various team sponsorships. In 2023, it continued to shine with R25 000 in total winnings and an Enactus SA Over 30 Alumnus of the Year Award. These achievements reflect the team's unwavering dedication and innovative spirit, making significant impacts through its initiatives, and setting a high standard for social entrepreneurship at the UFS.
The recent National Exposition held in the Sandton Convention Centre on 9 July 2024 marked another milestone for the UFS Enactus team. Two of its enterprises received financial awards of R12 000 each for reaching the top-12 in the prestigious Ford and Harmony Enactus Challenge, while another enterprise ranked in the top-15 in the MTN Challenge received R6 000 and a laptop, with a top-up of R25 000. Moreover, the recognition of Boitumelo Mofokeng as the Enterprise Student Leader of the Year among 24 participating universities highlights the leadership and entrepreneurial skills nurtured by Enactus. This honour reflects the high calibre of students that UFS Enactus produces, equipped to make meaningful contributions to society.
Influential Individuals and Alumni
Enactus UFS has a strong alumni presence in the national office, with notable individuals such as Andile Putu, Liso Soltadi, Masabata Sebusi, and Tsholo Prince who have worked for many years in various capacities at the National Office. Johan van der Westhuyzen himself served on the board of Enactus SA from 2009. The Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) provided significant support to Enactus UFS during the tenure of Prof Tienie Crous as Dean. The current team is supported by faculty adviser Moleboheng Matsoaboli (staff member within the Department of Finance at the UFS), co-faculty adviser Crespen Ndlovu (doctoral research fellow in the Centre for Development Support), as well as the Business Adviser Board and alumni. The trail of team successes underscores how Enactus contributes to the university's proud history and commitment to community engagement and student empowerment.
The Transformative Power of Enactus
For more than twenty years, Enactus UFS has stood out as a beacon of social entrepreneurship, building resilient and successful individuals. The transformative power of Enactus initiatives lies in their ability to inspire and equip students with the skills and mindset needed to address societal challenges. The success stories emerging from Enactus UFS serve as a powerful testament to what can be achieved with dedication, innovation, and institutional support.
As we celebrate these remarkable achievements through the notable support and partnership of Student Governance (Student Affairs) and Community Engagement, we invite the wider community to join us in recognising and supporting the impact of Enactus UFS. Sharing this success story will inspire others and highlight the importance of supporting social entrepreneurship initiatives. Together, we can continue to foster a culture of innovation and social responsibility at the UFS.