Ms Maraka Lefera, Human Resources Management Lecturer and Enactus CUT Co-Faculty Advisor, has earned the prestigious Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Award for two consecutive years-first in 2023 for the Community Engagement category and again in 2024 for the Entrepreneurship category.  

The Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards aims to recognise exceptional performance for sustained and outstanding achievements in research, teaching, community engagement, innovation and entrepreneurship activities that are aligned with the university’s vision and mission, as espoused in Vision 2030.  

Ms Lefera’s leadership has been instrumental in establishing successful student-owned enterprises, such as VermiVillage, an enterprise focused on worm farming. This enterprise exemplifies the impact of her coaching, fostering social entrepreneurship and sustainable solutions. Her recognition in 2024 is particularly significant, as she celebrates her remarkable 10-year journey as Enactus CUT Co-Faculty Advisor, a role she has held since 2014. 

She is also one of the mentors alongside Faculty Advisors Prof. Crispen Chipunza and Prof. Patience Rambe, who play a crucial role in guiding Enactus teams to success. Their role amongst others is to provide coaching, knowledge, skills, and inspiration to create social enterprises that addresses pressing societal challenges. They also mould students into future business leaders and innovators by offering guidance in project development, leadership, and strategic planning. Through their mentorship, Enactus CUT has been nationally and globally recognised for their excellence in entrepreneurship.  

Under her tutelage, student leaders such as Mr Thembisile Tyopo, the 2019 Enactus South Africa WV de Wet Student Leader Excellence Award winner; Miss Yanelisa Giyose, the 2022 Enactus South Africa Evan Paulos Student Leader of the Year winner and Mr Taelo Matlala, the 2023 Enactus South Africa, the Enactus South Africa WV de Wet Student Leader Excellence Award winner, have received national and global recognition and have also developed exceptionally in  academic and entrepreneurial spheres, a reflection of the team’s commitment to shaping future changemakers.  

In addition to the Vice-Chancellor Excellence Awards, Ms Lefera has received several other national accolades, further affirming her influence and impact. She was named Enactus South Africa Administrator of the Year in 2023, Faculty Advisor of the Year in 2018, and Junior Alumnus of the Year in 2016. These honours reflect her dedication to fostering social entrepreneurship and empowering students to succeed   nationally and globally. 

“This award is not just the result of individual leadership but the product of collaborative teamwork. As Enactus faculty advisors, we work closely with students and different university divisions; business advisory board members; sponsors, and partners to create an ecosystem that enables entrepreneurial progress. The synergy between these stakeholders contributes to the creation of successful enterprises,” she said. 

Miss Lefera’s achievements and leadership exemplify the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and innovation in driving entrepreneurship vision. Her dedication to community engagement and entrepreneurship continues to inspire the next generation of student leaders, leaving a lasting imprint on the university and the broader community.

Uploaded: 30 October 2024