Front row:  The Entrepreneurship Development Unit (EDU) programme coordinators Front row from left:  Dr Ngumbela, faculty of management sciences assistant dean Teaching & Learning, Ms Sive Mbangiswano, EDU Research administrator, Dr Marcia Lebambo EDU Director, Prof Freda van der walt, Dean of Management Sciences, Ms Fhatuwani Raliphaswa, EDU Administrator, and Ms Nthabeleng Motsoane, EDU admin assistant.  Back-row: 2026 Entrepreneurship 101 short learning programme cohort who successfully completed the Programme.

The Entrepreneurship Development Unit (EDU) has successfully concluded the inaugural Entrepreneurship 101 Short Learning Programme, a six-week pilot initiative designed to equip students with entrepreneurial knowledge, practical skills, and the confidence to transform innovative ideas into viable business ventures.

From a competitive pool of 35 applicants representing all faculties, only 13 student entrepreneurs successfully completed the programme, met its requirements, and were awarded certification at a ceremony held on 31 October 2026. The cohort came from diverse sectors including agriculture, education, retail, beauty, creative industries, accommodation, food production, financial services, and digital media.

Throughout the programme, students engaged in customer discovery, market validation, and business model development, enabling them to refine their ventures and strengthen their entrepreneurial capabilities. The initiative also fostered a dynamic community of student entrepreneurs, encouraging collaboration, networking, and peer-to-peer learning across disciplines.

In recognition of their commitment, performance, and the quality of their work, two outstanding participants, Kagiso Morakile from the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology and Kitso Diretse from the Faculty of Humanities, have been awarded a six-month mentorship programme led by entrepreneur and venture builder Mr Selebogo Molefe, Managing Director of The BizPlug. They will also share R25 000 in seed funding, contributed by various university faculties and Mr Molefe, who served as the cohort's business coach, to support the growth of their start-up ventures. Furthermore, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Teaching and Learning, Prof. Masoga, has pledged R100 000 towards the programme, highlighting the university's commitment to entrepreneurship development as a vehicle for nurturing future business leaders, innovators, and job creators.

According to Dr Marcia Lebambo, the EDU Director, aligned with CUT's vision of “A leading University of Technology – changing lives, transforming society and shaping the future,” the programme contributes to graduate empowerment, enterprise development, and societal impact, further positioning CUT as an entrepreneurial university.

In her remarks, Prof. Freda van der Walt, Dean of Management Sciences, described the programme as a strategic initiative with university-wide relevance. She emphasised that entrepreneurship transcends disciplinary boundaries and offers valuable opportunities for students across all fields of study.

Thirteen student entrepreneurs proudly celebrate the successful completion of the programme and the awarding of their certificates.