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25 August 2025 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Nocwaka Sinxadi
Prof Phillipe Burger
Prof Philippe Burger, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), addressing entrepreneurs attending the Financial Inclusion Symposium.

The Young African Entrepreneurs Institute (YAEI), in partnership with ABSA and the UFS Business Incubator, recently hosted a financial inclusion symposium at the University of the Free State (UFS). The event, which marked the final day of YAEI’s Youth Entrepreneurship Tour, brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, industry experts, and key stakeholders to share knowledge and inspire future business leaders.  

Held on 15 August 2025, the symposium welcomed Risuna Maluleke, CEO of YAEI; Modise Sehularo, Director of Enterprise Development at the Department of Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA) in the Free State; Prof Phillippe Burger, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) at the UFS; representatives from ABSA; and entrepreneurs from across the province.  

 

Insights from experts

Opening the programme, Prof Burger emphasised the importance of platforms that nurture entrepreneurial growth. “South Africa is a country rich in diversity, with people full of ideas,” he said. “Opportunities such as these lay the foundation for young people to build their futures while sharing experiences and perspectives.” 

Prof Burger also highlighted the significance of different forms of entrepreneurship - from side hustles to family-run businesses – in shaping South Africa’s economic landscape.

Sehularo expanded on the role of DESTEA, stressing the department’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for youth-owned enterprises. 

“Our aim is to cultivate a thriving economic ecosystem of youth-led businesses that contribute to economic growth and community development in the Free State and beyond,” he explained. He also outlined the department’s support structures for emerging business owners. 

 

Expanding entrepreneurial knowledge 

In addition to expert addresses, entrepreneurs attended a masterclass on entrepreneurial resourcing and formalisation presented by Zakhithi Shange, Enterprise Development Specialist at ABSA. 

The programme further featured a panel discussion titled Investment readiness: building sustainable and scalable ventures. Moderated by Khensani Mnyambi, Executive: Enterprise Solutions at YAEI, the panel included Prof Brownhilder Neneh, Vice-Dean: Research, Engagement and Internationalisation at the UFS; Richard Molefe, National Chairperson of the Black Management Forum Student Chapter; and other thought leaders.  

Discussions covered practical strategies for becoming investor-ready, as well as common pitfalls entrepreneurs face when seeking funding. Molefe stressed the importance of leadership, remarking: 

“Without management and leadership, you will overstretch yourself and ultimately run your business into the ground.”  

Shange cautioned entrepreneurs against relying too heavily on accountants: 

“When everything is left to your accountant, you risk losing touch with your company’s financials. This becomes a major challenge when applying for funding, as you cannot confidently respond to a banker’s questions.” 

 

Recognising rising talent 

The symposium concluded with the announcement of the Free State’s top ten finalists in the 2025 Youth Innovation Challenge, held at the Central University of Technology (CUT) on 14 August 2025. Participants in the challenge pitched innovative ideas aimed at addressing Africa’s pressing challenges. 

Among the finalists was UFS student and Internsphere co-founder, Sphesihle Ncokwana, who is currently receiving business coaching from the UFS Business Incubator. Ncokwana described making the top ten as “surreal”, attributing the achievement to the collective effort of his partners. Fellow co-founder, Sinothando Mkhize, added: 

“This is a big milestone for our business, and we are really excited about the journey ahead.” 

The top ten finalists will represent the Free State at the Youth Entrepreneurship Week in Johannesburg on 20 November 2025, where they will compete alongside 90 entrepreneurs from across South Africa in the national finals. 

News Archive

OSM opening concert 2012
2012-03-02

 

The OSM Camerata is going to shine in the very first annual OSM opening concert.
1 March 2012


 

OSM opening concert 2012 with the OSM Camerata
Conductor: Nicholas Nikolaidis
Date: 1 March 2012
Venue: Odeion
Time: 19:30

The OSM opening concert 2012 with the OSM CAMERATA will be streamed live on the internet with the generous support of OSM partner, LA MUSE AUDIO & LIGHTING (www.ufs.ac.za/ufslivestreaming) in collaboration with the UFS LIVE STREAMING UNIT.

The OSM Camerata is going to shine in the very first annual OSM opening concert. The ensemble will be conducted by Nicholas Nikolaidis. The programme includes excerpts from Stabat Mater (Pergolesi), Romanian Folk Dances (Bartók), Pelimannit (Rautavaara), Elegy (Grové) and Purple Haze (Hendrix). since 2011, the Odeion School of Music has embarked on a new, innovative strategy striving towards uncompromising excellence and internationalisation, which includes the A-List scholarship programme and a new flagship chamber ensemble, the OSM Camerata. Talented South African, conductor/tenor Nicholas Nicolaidis, (runner-up in the First National Len van Zyl Orchestral Conducting Competition) will take the stage for the inaugural concert of the OSM.

Nicholas started his conducting career at an early age while still in the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir School. Professionally his first conducting post was as choirmaster and conductor of the choir and band at Pridwin Preparatory School (Melrose, Johannesburg) in 1996.

Following his appointment in April 1997 as the Musical Director of Côr Meibion Cymru de Affrig (The Welsh Male Voice Choir of South Africa), he conducted the choir for seven years, producing three albums. One of the highlights was the performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London in October 2000 for the Millennium Festival of Male Voice Choirs.

His orchestral conducting debut was in 1998 at the Johannesburg City Hall where he conducted the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra and the Symphony Choir of Johannesburg in a few items of ‘Last Night of the Proms’. Selected conducting performances include the Chanticleer Singers in a performance of Schubert’s Mass in G at the Holy Trinity Church (Braamfontein, Johannesburg) in 2002, and the Johannesburg Camerata, a chamber orchestra consisting of talented young performers, during their winter season in 2005.

In 2006, Nicholas enrolled at Stellenbosch University for a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting under the direction of the Norwegian pedagogue, Kåre Hanken. During this time, he also conducted the Johannesburg-based chamber choir, Collegium Vocale. He conducted the Johannesburg Chamber Wind Ensemble from 2006 to 2008.

In 2009, he conducted the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra in a programme of music by Leroy Anderson, the vocal ensemble, In Verse, and the Chanticleer Singers during their Christmas season. Nicholas was also the winner of the inaugural Young Choral Conductors Competition held during the Stellenbosch International Choral Conducting Symposium in March 2009.

In February 2010, he was awarded the Silver Medal in the inaugural Len van Zyl Conducting Competition held in conjunction with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra. During the Easter period of 2010 he conducted Cantamus Corde in a performance of JS Bach’s St John’s Passion, whilst also singing the role of the Evangelist.

Nicholas has also appeared as guest conductor of the Philharmonia Choir of Cape Town in a concert with music by Ramirez and Klatzow. In that year he also conducted the gala Concert of the Brooklyn Theatre (Pretoria).

Refreshments will be on sale before and after the concert.

Admission:
R60 (adults)
R40 (pensioners, students and learners)
Tickets available at Computicket.

Enquiries:
Ninette Pretorius (Tel: +27(0)51 401 2504)


 

 

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