Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items
Previous Archive
13 January 2025 | Story Dr Nitha Ramnath | Photo Sonia Small
Prof Brownhilder Neneh
Prof Brownhilder Neneh stands out as an inspiring force for students and aspiring entrepreneurs.

In the dynamic intersection of tradition and innovation within academia, Prof Brownhilder Neneh, Vice-Dean: Research, Engagement and Internationalisation in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS), stands out as an inspiring force for students and aspiring entrepreneurs. Her remarkable career trajectory – ascending rapidly through the ranks from senior lecturer to head of department, and ultimately to full professor – has been marked not only by professional accolades, but by a deep, personal impact on the lives of her students and the broader entrepreneurial community. 

Personal moments of student connection  

Reflecting on her career, Prof Neneh’s achievements are impressive. “The best moment of my career is twofold,” she explains. “Professionally, I am incredibly grateful for the success I’ve achieved in less than a decade. Being promoted to professor, launching my book this year, and being consistently recognised as one of the top-cited researchers in the world over the past two years – it’s all been surreal.” 

However, it is the personal connections with her students that leave the most lasting impression. One student shared a heartfelt message, recalling how Prof Neneh’s encouragement helped her persevere through academic challenges. “You have everything it takes to succeed,” Prof Neneh had told her, transforming her outlook on her studies. Another student credited Prof Neneh’s words of encouragement with sparking a journey of self-acceptance, reminding her that “the best is yet to come.” These experiences highlight the profound influence of mentorship and the power of positive reinforcement. 

Building entrepreneurial competencies 

Prof Neneh’s research centres on fostering entrepreneurial skills, with a particular focus on youth and women. “I wish people knew that my work is about making a real, tangible difference,” she notes. Her research addresses the unique challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, including the complexities of work-life balance and societal pressures. By providing evidence-based strategies drawn from her extensive experience, Prof Neneh seeks to empower those navigating the intersection of family and business obligations. 

She also emphasises the obstacles facing young entrepreneurs, such as limited access to resources and a fear of failure. “These challenges can deter aspiring entrepreneurs from taking risks and pursuing their dreams,” Prof Nene says. Her approach to teaching entrepreneurship is rooted in practical, evidence based advice, encouraging aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their passions, employ ‘effectual reasoning’ in building their ventures with available resources – and commit to lifelong learning. “Training doesn’t stop at obtaining a degree. It’s about continually seeking knowledge and adapting to the market,” she asserts. 

Prof Neneh also advocates collaboration through a concept she calls ‘coopetition’ – where competition fosters cooperation, particularly in overcoming resource constraints. This mindset has been especially valuable during times of crisis, such as the recent pandemic, when industries banded together for collective growth. 

For budding entrepreneurs, Prof Neneh offers a wealth of practical advice. She stresses the importance of validating the market before launching a business, while cautioning against entering fields devoid of passion or thorough preparation. Her guiding principle? “Invest wisely and understand the needs of your target market.” 

Creating ripples of positive impact 

Looking ahead, Prof Neneh embodies resilience. “I wouldn’t change anything in my life. Every challenge has been a lesson,” she reflects. Her experiences have not only shaped her career, but also strengthened her sense of purpose. “Stay true to your values and purpose,” is the advice she follows, ensuring her life’s work continues to create ripples of positive impact. 

Prof Neneh is not only an academic; she is a champion for change, dedicated to uplifting others through her research, mentorship, and community initiatives such as ‘She Believe’, a peer support group focused on empowering women. As she continues to inspire future generations, her story serves as a powerful reminder that the entrepreneurial journey is not merely about financial success – it is about transformative impact and demonstrating resilience. 

The belief that “the best is yet to come” resonates not only in Prof Neneh’s life, but also with everyone who has the privilege of learning from her.

News Archive

Meet our Council: Ndaba Ntsele – Inspiring entrepreneurs
2016-04-19

Description: Ndaba Ntsele Tags: Ndaba Ntsele

Mr Ntsele
Photo: Stephen Collett

 To call Mr Ndaba Ntsele just a businessman seems like a bit of an understatement. The Executive Chairman and co-founder of Pamodzi Group Limited lives and breathes business, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation. He is also a member of the Council of the University of the Free State (UFS) since September 2013.

His greatest passion is entrepreneurship, and sharing his ideas of self-employment with young (and old) South Africans. “I preach self-employment wherever I go. Everyone knows that unemployment is a major problem in our country. However, people often expect the government or big corporations to provide them with jobs. I like to influence people to start thinking about working for themselves, thereby creating opportunities for employing others,” he says.

His entrepreneurial drive extends even to his time on the UFS Council. Now in his second term, Mr Ntsele has been well placed to get a sense of the kind of contribution the university and its students could make to South Africa, and even further afield.  

“In addition to training students for all the other important industries in South Africa, I think the UFS is ideally situated to create agricultural entrepreneurs. The Free State is one of South Africa’s prime agricultural areas, after all. Food security is an issue worldwide, and it is an area in which we could make a real contribution by training food producers, food technologists, and agricultural specialists. In fact, I think the UFS could become the leading agricultural institution in the country.”

Being the best is something that he strives for continually, while high standards are not something he shirks. In fact, he believes that Council members should hold an institution accountable for maintaining the highest standards possible, whether it is in governance, financials, procurement, or any other areas of importance in an institution.

As the executive chairman of a multi-billion African-owned group with assets across the globe, Mr Ntsele does not have a great deal of free time. However, he enjoys sitting down with MBA students and graduates to share his views about entrepreneurship.

“If I can change their mind-set from ‘others must employ me’ to ‘I need to create my own employment’, then I will feel as if I have accomplished something,” he says.

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept