The Department of Business Management under the Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law (FCAL) at University of Zululand (UNIZULU) proudly hosted the 2026 3rd Entrepreneurship Symposium at the Professor Bonginkosi Blade Nzimande Engineering Building, Richards Bay Campus.
Held recently under the theme “Igniting Entrepreneurship in Higher Education”, with sub-themes including University Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, Decolonising Entrepreneurship Education, and Opportunities and Challenges Facing Students’ Entrepreneurs in Higher Education, the symposium brought together academics, students, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and government representatives to engage in this meaningful dialogue on advancing entrepreneurship within higher education.
In her address, FCAL Dean Prof Makhosazana Vezi-Magigaba highlighted the transformative role of universities in addressing societal challenges. “Entrepreneurship has become a critical pillar in addressing many of the challenges facing our society, including unemployment, poverty and inequality.”
She further stated that universities have a responsibility to create environments where ideas can be transformed into sustainable enterprises that contribute to the growth of our communities and our nation.
The symposium aimed to ignite new ideas and innovation among students and stakeholders in higher education. Discussions focused on building an entrepreneurship ecosystem that encourages student innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking.
Delivering the keynote address, Hlengiwe Mvubu, a UNIZULU alumna and President of the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship in today’s changing economy.
“A university degree remains one of the most powerful tools a young person can have. It opens doors that may remain closed to others, but in a rapidly shifting economy, a degree alone is not enough. Students must pair it with the mindset, skills and courage to create opportunities where there seem to be none,” said Mvubu.
She further highlighted the important role played by Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) in the economy, noting that they contribute significantly to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). She also spoke about some of the challenges facing emerging entrepreneurs, including limited access to markets and funding.
“We need to understand that starting a business is only the beginning. One of the greatest challenges facing emerging entrepreneurs is the lack of access to markets,” she added.
She encouraged institutions of higher learning to prepare students not only to start businesses, but also to operate within broader economic ecosystems. This includes equipping students with skills such as pitching business ideas, building relationships and collaborations and identifying opportunities within existing value chains to position themselves as suppliers to larger organisations.
Another important discussion at the symposium was the decolonisation of entrepreneurship education, which dissected how institutions could encourage African ways of thinking and doing business. The discussion also explored how local knowledge and ideas could be used to develop entrepreneurial solutions that can contribute meaningfully to society and the economy.
Closing the symposium, Entrepreneurship Symposium Chairperson Prof Ayansola Ayandibu encouraged stakeholders to continue strengthening the partnerships established during the event.
“As we leave this symposium, let us continue strengthening the partnerships established here today. Let academia continue producing knowledge, industry continue creating opportunities and government continue enabling development. Let society and communities remain active partners in transformation, while technology continues driving innovation,” said Prof Ayandibu.
He further emphasised the importance of financial institutions in supporting entrepreneurial growth and called for the protection of the natural environment for future generations.
“Above all, let us continue investing in our students, who remain at the very heart of everything we do,” he concluded.
Pictures: Xolani Ncube
Captions
Pic 1: Hlengiwe Mvubu, a UNIZULU alumna and President of the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with FCAL Dean Prof Makhosazana Magigaba.
Pic 2: Prof Ayansola Ayandibu, head of the Department of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Symposium Chairperson.
