“One way of dealing with the challenges of unemployment is by being innovative and entrepreneurial. We can no longer be content with simply producing graduates into a hostile, poverty- stricken socio economic environment. We have to change course and provide a form of future-proofing that will not only shape the future of individuals, but the future of this region and the country as a whole,” these were the words of Prof. Thandwa Mthembu, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of CUT during his address at the official opening. 

In the wake of high unemployment, lack of entrepreneurial skills, and the current thinking within the institution, the Faculty of Management Sciences in collaboration with Aalen University took it upon themselves to initiate and develop a series of educational game systems, dubbed planning games. The initiative aims to promote entrepreneurship, a skill that is in high demand across the globe. In 2014, CUT Enactus group under the leadership of Dr Edem Agbobli, project champion, piloted the project to the small business community of Mafora Township, Bloemfontein. The main intention of the game is to develop and sharpen their business skills, equip them with knowledge that will enable them to run their own businesses, keep records, make transactions, penetrate the market, record their products, and keep record of accomplishment of their capital and profits. It is anticipated that the concept will inculcate entrepreneurial skills among the youth and the unemployed in the Free State and beyond for gainful employment, poverty alleviation and general improvement in the quality of life. On 4^th July 2015, the team extended the training to Lejwaleputswa district in Thabong, Welkom where small business communities of Thabong and the surrounding areas actively engaged throughout the training duration. The game has several levels based on corresponding concepts of values and principles of economics. 

The development and deployment involves various stakeholders from university, industry, community, and education. The various levels of the game are as follows: Levels, values, and subjects in the VAL-U (VALues & yoU) game

Level	value aspect	entrepreneurship contents
1	the concept of value creation	Elementary economics: product prize and financial gain, procurement, production and sales
2	adding monetary value	Accounting, cost analysis, interest and taxes, investment and financing, funding
3	creating value for the market	Marketing and sales, risk management, supply and demand, quality and research, stakeholders
4	valuing people and culture	Project management, teamwork and leadership, networking, soft skills and culture
5	entrepreneurial values	Sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, strategic planning, competition, entrepreneurship
6	adding value to society	Business plan development, forecast and research, bringing the plan to action

During the second half of 2015, beneficiaries will advance to level two until six where they will receive intensive training from the rest of the value aspects. 

Images

Engaging in the educational game: Mr Madikane, and Mr Mosikidi, Thabong employees; Mazakia Tlhobelo, Enactus member, and Mr Thokolo, Thabong Entrepreneur.