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28 November 2018 | Story Moeketsi Mogotsi | Photo Moeketsi Mogotsi
Nettah read more
Limpopo-born Law student Anet Matakala’s giant leap of faith by entering the Shoprite Hustler of the Month competition.

Anet Matakala is a Law student who recently had a brilliant, sensational experience when she received recognition as an up-and-coming entrepreneur by Shoprite through their Hustler of the Month Entrepreneur competition.

Matakala is the owner of Nettah Organics, a personal healthcare-product company which uses food-based products to handcraft products for the skin, hair, and body. These products include healthy foodstuffs such as avocados, coffee, green tea, and cinnamon.

She says due to the lack of organic products on the market, she initially made products only for herself. However, in 2017, friends and family started showing interest and she decided to distribute her products among them.

Matakala, who hails from Limpopo, says she formally registered the company in April 2018, while continuing with the same business model.

Making bold moves

The 24-year-old says a friend encouraged her to enter the Shoprite competition after seeing a promo run on social media.

She says signing up for the competition was a leap of faith which yielded results that she hardly expected.

“I was actually playing when I entered. They only responded to me after two months, and at first, I didn’t know that I won; I thought I was just a finalist. A week after that, they told me that they have arranged a photographer to take photos of me and my products. When I asked what it’s for, they told me I had won,” she says.

Her prize as the Shoprite Hustler of October includes a cash prize, sponsored radio marketing, social-media coverage and a crowdfund page for Nettah Organics.

“It [the competition] increased my sales. The competition actually helped me, because a lot of people became interested in my stuff and they started enquiring about them," she adds.

Looking forward, Matakala says she would like to see her products on shelves in retail stores.

News Archive

New Academic Head at South Campus to expand distance learning programmes into the global arena
2016-02-10

“Critical area of focus: Diversify provision, based on open learning principles, to improve learning opportunities across the post-school education and training sector” - SA Department of Higher Education and Training Strategic Plan 2015/16-2019/20

Open and distance learning (ODL) programmes will play a critical role in shaping the landscape of higher education. Not only does the South African Department of Higher Education and Training emphasise the importance of ODL, it is also contained within the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. And now the University of the Free State (UFS) is becoming a major role player in the field through the cutting-edge ODL programmes offered by the South Campus.

Description: Jean Grundling Tags: Jean Grundling

Jean Grundling has recently been appointed as the Academic Head of the South Campus.

At the helm of these programmes is the recently-appointed Academic Head of the South Campus: Jean Grundling. According to the new organisational structure of the South Campus, the Academic Head reports directly to the Campus Principal: Dr Daniella Coetzee.

“My role,” says Grundling, “focuses on developing and monitoring processes that will enable effective and efficient implementation of the three pillars of ODL.” These three pillars consist of:

• the design and development of quality learner-centred learning materials and tools during their ODL journeys;
• the selection, appointment, and development of competent facilitators to guide, coach, tutor, and support students; and
• the integration of administrative processes that will enable and support students to study at their own pace, place, and in their own time.

“Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

As part of her personal vision, Grundling would like to see the South Campus grow and develop into an institution that offers quality ODL programmes not only nationally, but globally. “I would like the South Campus to become an agent of social transformation in South Africa.”

Ultimately, Grundling’s wish is for the South Campus to contribute to the development and empowerment of people so that they can play a positive role in society.

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