03 November 2025
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Story Precious Shamase
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Photo Supplied
The Enactus UFS Qwaqwa Campus team represented South Africa at the 2025 Enactus World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand.
A team of dedicated student entrepreneurs from the University of the Free State (UFS)
Qwaqwa Campus proudly represented South Africa at the prestigious
Enactus World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand, after excelling in the earlier stages of the national competition.
Their participation not only provided a global platform to showcase their innovative social entrepreneurship projects but also offered invaluable lessons that will shape the future direction of the team and its initiatives.
The power of innovative problem-solving
The Enactus World Cup brought together over 2,000 young changemakers from 35 countries, creating an inspiring environment for testing and refining entrepreneurial action.
For the UFS Qwaqwa team, the event underscored the transformative power of innovation. “Observing national teams like Zimbabwe creatively addressing local socioeconomic and environmental challenges and successfully scaling their projects proved profoundly inspiring,” said Ntombinkulu Khumalo, Enactus President and Project leader for Root Rescue.
“It emphasised how even a struggling idea can evolve into an impactful and sustainable solution. This experience reaffirmed the core Enactus principle: using business principles to create a better, more sustainable world,” Khumalo added.
This exposure to diverse, high-impact projects has set a new benchmark for the team's ambitions and strengthened their resolve to elevate their work to global standards.
Reflections on presentation excellence
The high-pressure environment of the World Cup also provided important lessons in technical preparedness and presentation delivery. The team reflected that one of their main challenges was technical – a glitch with their slides highlighted the importance of having multiple backup plans.
Looking ahead, the team is determined to refine their presentation for future competitions. They plan to design more visually engaging and concise slides, integrate stronger storytelling elements, and use impactful visuals to demonstrate their project’s social and environmental impact.
This renewed focus reflects their commitment to continuous improvement and innovation – qualities that will help them reach their full potential as social entrepreneurs.
Cultural exchange and inspiring moments
Beyond the competition, the Enactus World Cup provided an extraordinary opportunity for cultural exchange and personal growth. Travelling to Thailand, experiencing a new culture, tasting unfamiliar cuisines, and meeting Enactus teams from around the world made for unforgettable memories.
A particularly moving moment for the team was the opening ceremony, where they joined 2,000 participants from across the globe. Being officially welcomed onto the world stage was a powerful affirmation of their hard work and dedication.
Zoleka Dotwana, the Director for Student Affairs on the Qwaqwa Campus, expressed immense pride in the team’s achievement.
“Witnessing our students perform on the world stage was a moment of pride as they gave their all in the competition. The knowledge and experience they gained have motivated them to work even harder on their project, providing much-needed expertise to local farmers. Thank you for flying our flag high - only a Kovsie knows the feeling!”