Cultivating Rural Innovation: The Taung Entrepreneurship Project
The Taung Entrepreneurship Project (TEP) empowers rural matriculants to identify local community challenges and develop innovative, viable business solutions. By transforming theoretical entrepreneurship awareness into practical, community-driven enterprise, the initiative demonstrates that geographic location does not dictate innovative potential.
Running successfully since 2023, the project culminates in an annual competition where learners present solutions tailored to their communities. Crucially, the Department of Business Support Studies ensures these ideas transcend the conceptual phase by providing tangible resources and mentorship, enabling winning students to actively commence their entrepreneurial journeys.
Strategic Alignment & Innovation Model
Economic Development & Youth Empowerment
Unlocking hidden talent in remote areas by equipping youth with lifelong problem-solving skills, fostering grassroots economic development, and addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UoT Mandate
Fulfilling the University of Technology mandate through applied, community-engaged learning that translates academic business concepts into tangible, real-world socio-economic impact.
The TEP Intervention Framework
Community-Centric Ideation
Learners are guided to identify specific gaps within their own communities, ensuring that proposed business models are highly relevant, immediately applicable, and deeply rooted in local needs.
Tangible Resource Support
Moving beyond theoretical prizes, the Department procures and deploys essential startup resources for winners, providing hands-on setup and training to ensure immediate business commencement.
Sustainable Continuity
From 2025, the initiative will establish permanent school-based entrepreneurship clubs, ensuring that innovative projects are handed down to younger learners, guaranteeing long-term institutional memory and impact.
Measurable Impact & Viable Outcomes
Over two consecutive years, the Taung Entrepreneurship Project has proven that rural learners possess a profound understanding of national and local challenges. The ideas generated are not merely academic exercises; they are feasible, scalable business models that directly contribute to family income and community development.
2
Consecutive Years
(Established 2023, Ongoing)
2
Partner Schools
(Joseph Saku Secondary & Bogosing High)
6+
Viable Business Models
(Launched or in advanced development)
2024 Winning Innovations
Joseph Saku Secondary School
- Upcycling discarded tyres into durable, functional furniture.
- Implementing foundational coding and robotics curricula for younger learners.
- Establishing a specialised care and skills-development enterprise for children with disabilities.
Bogosing High School
- Launching an accessible community printing and documentation service.
- Developing sustainable glass and plastic bottle recycling initiatives.
- Creating a mental health-aware clothing line promoting community positivity.
Measurable Outcomes
- From Concept to Execution: The Department procured and fully configured a commercial printer for the Bogosing High School winner, providing hands-on training to ensure the immediate, viable launch of her community printing business.
- Economic Contribution: Winning ideas have transitioned into active micro-enterprises, directly contributing to household income and demonstrating the commercial feasibility of youth-led rural innovation.
- Institutional Sustainability: The formalisation of school-based entrepreneurship clubs from 2025 ensures a structured handover process, allowing younger students to inherit and scale existing projects.
Project Leadership
Dr Mosweunyane
Dr Akaba
Ms Yekela
Department of Business Support Studies, CUT
Community Partners
Joseph Saku Secondary School & Bogosing High School
Taung, North West Province
Partner With Us
The Taung Entrepreneurship Project is poised for strategic expansion. As we establish permanent entrepreneurship clubs in partner schools from 2025, we invite corporate sponsors, industry mentors, and civil society organisations to collaborate with us.
Your support can provide essential startup resources, mentorship, and market access for the next generation of rural innovators, helping us cultivate a sustainable hub of grassroots enterprise.
Explore Partnership Opportunities
