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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

Kovsie TV Launched
2015-05-06

Victor Ngubeni, Grace Thoabala, Nangamso Dlatu, Aisha Poswa, Lesego Maakamedi, Nothando Hlope, Aldene vd Merwe and Lawrence Siyoko

“We have to change our university before we can change our country.”

 

There is a revolution at hand, and students are requesting new and exciting platforms on which they can voice themselves. Kovsie TV aims to do just that for Kovsie students. 

 

As a student initiative, the steam behind it is SRC Student Development and Environmental Affairs, Victor Ngubeni. He says that it is only right that it be by the students themselves. The launch saw many from the campus community gathered out of curiosity and excitement for the new venture. The evening started out as quite a classy frenzy, which had attendees clearly prepared for the level of broadcasting that the launch would showcase.

 

The initial idea is to increase the number of platforms where students can receive information. The Student Media portfolio, which oversees the functioning of student media platforms, aims to make Kovsie TV as autonomous as possible. As an introductory initiative, it will aid in the sharing and telling of students’ stories.

 

It is important to mention the preparation process that was endured by the many hopefuls who auditioned, hoping to make it as one of the Kovsie TV presenters. For more than three weeks, the panel of judges sieved through the contestants until they had just six rough diamonds. Then, for the first time, the audience met the faces that they would become familiar with from this point.

 

As Ngubeni stressed during his speech, Kovsie TV would not serve as propaganda machine for the SRC, as many might have asked about the relationship that could be expected between the two. The architects of Kovsie TV hope that, as a student initiative, it will inspire a new era in student activism.

 

When asked about the concept behind this new platform, Ngubeni informed us that, “the concept is to have a twenty-minute campus TV show highlighting what goes on around campus so that students know, and so that we can get them participating in campus life activities.”

 

This is a student initiative whose future will depend solely on the students themselves.

 

Presenters:

Nangamso Dlathu – Studio presenter

Grace Thoabala – Studio presenter

Lesego Maakamedi – Social events

Nothando Hlophe – Current affairs

Aldine van der Merwe – Culture events and Vox-Pop

Mbulelo Siyoko – Culture and Vox-Pop

Aisha Phoswa ? Sports

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