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Financial inclusion symposium at UFS inspires young entrepreneurs

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

Full week of graduation ceremonies at UFS in April

2015-04-10

Autumn always sees the UFS’s first graduation ceremony of the year on the Bloemfontein Campus.

From 14 – 17 April 2015, graduates will once again be rewarded for their hard work while top speakers will address them in the Callie Human Centre. There will be a ceremony at 09:00 and at 14:30 each day on all four days of the graduation.

The programme for the 2015 April Graduation is as follows:

Tuesday 14 April 2015:

Professor Himla Soodyall will be the speaker at both ceremonies on this day. Prof Soodyall is a Medical Scientist for the South African Institute for Medical Research. She is also a Principal Medical Scientist for the National Health Laboratory Service, and a Director for the Human Genome Diversity and Disease Research Unit at the University of Witwatersrand.

During the first ceremony of the day at 09:00, all diplomas/certificates and B degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will be awarded. Only Honours degrees in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences will be awarded at the 14:30 ceremony.

Wednesday 15 April 2015:

Wednesday will see Ndumiso Hadebe take the stage to address graduates at both ceremonies.

At the age of 23, Hadebe is the Founder and Managing Director of Master Frontiers Consulting, a firm that capacitates leaders and managers to achieve business goals through their people. He worked previously as a Researcher at Shanduka Black Umbrellas, a flagship enterprise and supplier development programme of the Shanduka Foundation.

He has been received numerous awards for excellence in leadership, such as the Sedibeng District Municipal Mayor’s Award for Service and Leadership. He is a Brand South Africa Ambassador and Read Educational Trust Ambassador.

All diplomas/certificates, B and Honours degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, except B Com degrees, will be awarded during the morning ceremony at 09:00. Later, at the 14:30 ceremony, only B Com degrees in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences will be awarded.

Thursday 16 April 2015:

Multiple award winning South African TV presenter, Leanne Manas, will be the speaker at both Thursday ceremonies.

Manas has graced our screens for over a decade. Not many broadcasters can boast having had live TV experience, 5 days a week for 12 years. She is currently the anchor of SABC 2’s flagship breakfast programme, Morning Live. Leanne is a qualified Speech and Drama teacher. having studied at London Trinity College. She also has an Honours degree in English.
Diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculty of the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Communication Sciences will be awarded during the ceremony at 09:00. The 14:30 ceremony will have diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculty of the Humanities’ other qualifications except for Social Sciences and Communication Sciences.

Friday 17 April 2015:

Dr Maria Phalime will be the speaker at both ceremonies on Friday.

Phalime is a medical doctor and award-winning author. She practiced for a brief period as a general practitioner in South Africa and the United Kingdom, before leaving medical practice to pursue non-clinical interests. She has worked in trade and investment promotion, and has undertaken research and consulting in the areas of economic development and business facilitation.

Diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculty of Education (CE, NPDE and ACE excluded) will be awarded during the ceremony at 09:00. Diplomas/certificates up to and including Honours degrees in the Faculties of Health Sciences, Law, and Theology will be awarded at the 14:30 ceremony.

Click here for the simple layout of the 2015 April Graduation programme:
http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/2014-graduation-ceremony/graduation-ceremony

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