The University of Zululand (UNIZULU), in partnership with the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), recently hosted the prestigious EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity 2025 KwaZulu-Natal Regional Round.
The two-day event took place at Indaba Lodge in Richards Bay. Student entrepreneurs from UNIZULU, Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and Durban University of Technology (DUT), each having won their respective university’s internal rounds, participated in the regional competition. Winners from this round will advance to the national stage, where they’ll join peers from other provinces to pitch their business ventures. The entire programme is coordinated by EDHE. The competition showcased a dynamic array of business ideas each pitched within a 10-minute slot.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Vuyokazi Nomlomo, who delivered the welcome address, summed the event’s significance as a key reminder of the impactful role of entrepreneurship in society.
“Today’s event is more than just a competition; I want to stress that. But it is a celebration of innovation, courage and entrepreneurial spirit that continue to grow with our universities. It is a reminder that entrepreneurship is not just about business, but it is about building futures. It is about solving real-world problems and acting with social responsibility and ethical imagination,” she said.
She then reminded the audience that the measure of the value of education is its “intentional effort to cultivate entrepreneurship as a fundamental attribute, while also positioning universities as catalysts for economic development”. Finally, she underscored that the University’s innovation mission is strongly linked to national imperatives such as empowerment and aligns with broader global strategies.
Dr Edwell Gumbo, Director for Entrepreneurship at Universities South Africa (USAF), formally introduced the adjudication panel and extended heartfelt appreciation to UNIZULU Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Xoliswa Mtose, for graciously accepting the invitation to host the 2025 EDHE Regional Round.
He commended the student entrepreneurs for embracing the challenge of creating their own economic paths as well as creating employment opportunities, all while managing demanding academic schedules. He acknowledged their desire to make meaningful contributions to society and reminded them that pitching is essentially the art of storytelling—sharing how their business operates and generates income.
Dr Gumbo also noted that winners from this round would go on to represent the KwaZulu-Natal region at the national competition in November. He concluded his address with a motivating message: “May the best presentation, the best business, and the best ideas come on top.”
Sandile Shabalala, the Senior Student Engagement Officer for EDHE at Universities South Africa (USAf), took the lead in announcing the winners. To kick things off, he played the EDHE highlights video from the previous year, setting the tone and outlining what the newly announced winners could expect as they advance to the national stage. He built anticipation with dramatic drum rolls during the announcement.
Two outstanding entrepreneurial ventures from UNIZULU were selected to advance to the next stage: Zwelakhe Maseko, founder of Eco-Harvest, and the dynamic duo comprised of Nondumiso Nyawose and Samkelo Ndlovu, founder and co-founder of Black Hairccess Boutique. The Black Hairccess Boutique is a smart and cashless hair salon, hiring more than 15 unfunded students who have been trained to work with their hands. It enhances skills development, student empowerment and student employment.
“We are very happy about this selection to represent our institution and the province at the EDHE national competition, the [recognition and support of our business] means a lot to us,” expressed Nyawose.
– Sbahle Dumakude
Pictures: Xolani Ncube
