UMPCFERI Newsletter. Print version

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The University of Mpumalanga Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (UMPCFERI) is based at the Mbombela Campus.UMPCFERIstartedoperationsin2020andaimstodevelopemergingentrepreneursinMpumalangaandbeyond in a bid to reduce the prevalent unemployment levels through entrepreneurial skills development and commercialization ofsmallbusinesses.

TheprimaryfocusofUMPCFERIistodevelopstudentswithbusinessideasintoentrepreneurswithsustainablebusiness ventures. In addition, supports start-up businesses to become sustainable businesses with defined growth strategies fromsurroundingcommunities.

In this regard, UMPCFERI’s primary strategy is to act as a consultation point and entrepreneurship support center that alsocreatesaplatformforpeerlearningcollaborationandnetworkingopportunities.

VISION

To be a leading entrepreneurship centre in nurturing innovative and creative enterprises for sustainable development withintheAfricancontext

MISSION

To foster a dynamic entrepreneurship ecosystem through development programmes, strategic partnerships, and applied researchaimedatbuildingsustainableenterprisesandcontributingtolocal,national,andregionaleconomicgrowth.

Message From CFERI Director

CFERI Director: Professor Ogujiuba Kanayo

As the Director at the University of Mpumalanga Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator (UMPCFERI), I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the creativity, resilience, and ambition of our studentpreneurs. Every year, they continue to push boundaries, transform ideas into enterprises, and demonstrate the true power of youth-led innovation. In 2025, our students achieved remarkable milestones, both nationally and internationally. From winning first-place honours in Egypt and Uzbekistan, to excelling in the ABSA YAEI Programme and the Bambelela Business Awards, our studentpreneurs have consistently proven that innovation, determination, and professionalism can thrive on anystage.

Locally, initiatives such as Eco-Polish, which turns discarded plastic into an eco-friendly product, and Ehlanzeni Star School, which gives learners a second chance at matric success, highlight how entrepreneurship at UMPCFERI goes beyond business it addresses social and environmental challenges while creating meaningful opportunities in communities.

UMPCFERI’s success is built on a foundation of mentorship, incubation, and skills development. Over the years, we have incubated more than 55 student businesses, provided targeted mentorship to over 120 entrepreneurs, and enabled more than 150 students to generate income through entrepreneurial activities. These measurable outcomes demonstrate our commitment to producing not just graduates, but sustainable, scalable entrepreneurs ready to makeanimpact.Strategicpartnershipshavealsobeenkeyto ourachievements.

Collaborations with SEDFA, Standard Bank, ABSA, Old Mutual,UCDP,andinternationalnetworkssuchasUNICCand Fulbright,haveprovidedstudentswiththetools,funding,and exposure needed to grow their enterprises and compete confidently on national and international platforms. This newsletter celebrates the innovation, resilience, and impact of our studentpreneurs and underscores UMPCFERI’s role as a hub for entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth. As we look ahead, we remain committed to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, ensuring that they lead with creativity, purpose, and measurable impact for communitiesandtheeconomy.

More Than a Degree: CFERI’s Impact on Student Entrepreneurship

The University of Mpumalanga Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator (UMPCFERI)hasgrownsinceitsinceptionin

2020 into a flagship programme of the University, dedicated to fostering both student-led and communitybased entrepreneurship initiatives. Positioned at the heart ofinnovationandenterprisedevelopment,theCentreplays a pivotal role in mentoring, incubating, and exposing emerging businesses to real-world opportunities. UMPCFERI provides comprehensive support through ideation and scale-up assistance, mentorship, skills development training, and access to strong networking platforms. Over the past five years, the Centre has consistentlydeliveredhigh-impactprogrammes,

attracted meaningful partnerships, and strengthened the University of Mpumalanga’s position as a key driver of rural andtownship-basedentrepreneurialdevelopment. Through structured support, practical guidance, and market exposure, UMPCFERI ensures that graduates leave the University not only with academic qualifications, but with sustainable and scalable businesses empowered to createjobs,

drive innovation, and contribute meaningfully to inclusive economic growth. Its work is closely aligned with the national Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education agenda, the Mpumalanga Economic Growth and Development objectives, and strategic international collaborations.

UMPCFERI’s Impact in 2024

The year 2024 marked a defining chapter for the University of Mpumalanga Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator (UMPCFERI), as the Centre translated vision into measurable impact at local, national, and international levels. Through innovation, collaboration, and strategic leadership, UMPCFERI continued to position the University ofMpumalangaasahubforentrepreneurialexcellence.

On the global stage, the UMPCFERI team earned international recognition by securing first place at the UNICC Health & Wellness Ideathon in the Philippines with the Mango Agro-processing Project. This achievement not only highlighted the ingenuity of UMP’s entrepreneurial ecosystem but also demonstrated the Centre’s capacity to developsolutionswithrealeconomicandsocialrelevance.

Locally, UMPCFERI strengthened its leadership role within the University by hosting the inaugural UMP Entrepreneurship Summit, creating a dynamic platform for students, entrepreneurs, industry experts, and policymakerstoengage,collaborate,andshareknowledge. The Centre further advanced inclusive leadership by convening the first Women in Leadership Conference (SWEEP), reinforcing its commitment to empowering womenentrepreneursandfutureleaders.

Strategic partnerships remained central to UMPCFERI’s success. During the year, the Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and renewed its funding partnership with SEDA, strengthening collaborative efforts to support entrepreneurshipdevelopment.MPCFERIalsocontributedto thought leadership by co-authoring two books on universityled entrepreneurship,reinforcing its role in shaping national andcontinentaldiscourse.

To sustain and scale its impact, the Centre successfully secured funding from EDHE EAO and UCDP, ensuring continued support for high-impact entrepreneurship programmes. Collectively, these achievements reflect UMPCFERI’s growing footprint as a catalyst for innovation, enterprise development, and inclusive economic growth in Mpumalanga and beyond. Collectively, these achievements reflect UMPCFERI’s growing impact and maturity as an entrepreneurship hub. The Centre has expanded its global footprint and international recognition, while simultaneously strengthening institutional and governmental partnerships that enhance its reach and effectiveness. Through its direct involvement in policy development, UMPCFERI has influenced provincial economic policy, ensuring that entrepreneurial realities particularly within the informal, rural,andtownshipeconomiesaremeaningfullyrepresented.

In addition, the Centre has contributed to the body of entrepreneurial knowledge through research and publications, reinforcing its role not only as a programme implementer, but as a thought leader shaping the future of entrepreneurshipdevelopment.

UMPCFERI’s Impact in 2025

The year 2025 represented a significant consolidation and expansion phase for the University of Mpumalanga Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator (UMPCFERI), marked by deeper international engagement, strengthened institutional relevance, and a continued commitment to producing entrepreneurially ready graduates. Throughout the year, UMPCFERI positioned itself not only as a programme implementer, but as a convenor, thought leader, and catalyst forinnovation-leddevelopment

A major highlight of the year was the hosting of the Africa–Asia Roundtable Event, which brought together over 90 delegates from more than 11 countries across the African and Asian continents. This high-level engagement created a platform for dialogue on entrepreneurship, innovation, policy alignment, and cross-border collaboration. The Roundtable significantly expanded UMP’s global footprint, strengthened international networks, and reinforced the University’s reputation as a space where global entrepreneurial conversationsareshapedfromaGlobalSouthperspective.

At programme level, UMPCFERI intensified its focus on practical skills development and enterprise sustainability throughtheimplementationofastructuredEntrepreneurship Bootcamp. The Bootcamp provided hands-on training in business development, innovation, and market readiness, while serving as a direct feeder into the Centre’s incubation pipeline. This ensured continuity between skills acquisition and enterprise support, strengthening the pathway from idea

UMPCFERI also actively participated in the ABSA Youth and Agripreneur Enterprise Initiative (YAEI) Competition, further strengthening its commitment to supporting youth-led and student-led enterprises. The competition brought together SMMEs from across Mpumalanga, alongside studentpreneurs,creatinganinclusiveplatformthatreflected thediversityoftheprovincialentrepreneurialecosystem.

The semi-final rounds were hosted by the University of Mpumalanga Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator, positioning the Centre as a key convenor and enabler of entrepreneurship development in the province. The programme was intentionally inclusive, accommodating entrepreneurs from deep rural areas through to universitybased studentpreneurs, ensuring equitable access to opportunityandexposure.

In advancing inclusive entrepreneurship and leadership, the CentredeliveredtheSWEEPBrandingMasterclass,equipping women entrepreneurs and emerging leaders with practical branding, positioning, and market visibility skills. This was complemented by the Standard Bank Pitching Masterclass, which sharpened students’ pitching capabilities and investor readiness, directly enhancing their confidence and competitivenessinfundingandpartnershipopportunities.

At provincial level, the competition culminated in the selection of the top ten winners, with a significant number of these enterprises emerging from the UMPCFERI incubation and mentorship pipeline. This outcome underscored the effectiveness of the Centre’s support model in preparing entrepreneursforcompetitive,high-impactplatforms.

The final round of the competition was hosted in Johannesburg in November 2025, where top entrepreneurs from all South African provinces competed against one another. In a highly competitive national final, a first-year studentpreneur supported by UMPCFERI achieved an exceptional milestone by securing first place overall, outperforming entrepreneurs from across the country. This historic achievement highlighted the Centre’s ability to nurture high-potential entrepreneurs from an early stage and positionthemforsuccessonnationalplatforms.

OneofUMPCFERI’sstandoutstudentpreneursisMrMasilela, founder of Ehlanzeni Star School, a social enterprise dedicated to giving learners who have previously failed matric a meaningful second chance to rewrite their examinations. Through this initiative, Mr Masilela is addressingacriticalgapintheeducationsystembyrestoring hope and creating pathways for academic and personal recovery. Ehlanzeni Star School provides structured tutorials from Monday to Friday, ensuring that learners are academicallyprepared,confident,andexamination-ready.

In addition to its core programme, the school extends its impact to the broader community by offering free Saturday classestohighschoollearnersaroundtheCentre,reinforcing UMPCFERI’s commitment to inclusive, community-driven development.The impact and sustainability of Ehlanzeni Star Schoolhavebeenwidelyrecognisedthroughmultiplefunding andawardplatforms.MrMasilelasecuredR250,000fromthe SAB Foundation, R40,000 through the Presidential SMME Awards, R40,000 from the Bambelela Business Awards, and R50,000inprovincialfundingfromSEDFA.

These achievements reflect not only the viability of the enterprise,butalsoitsstrongsocialimpactandscalability. Entrepreneurial excellence and resilience were further celebrated through the Bambelela Business Awards, an initiative that recognises innovation, perseverance, and meaningful impact within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Beyond financial support, the awards serve as a powerful sourceofinspirationmotivatingaspiringentrepreneurswithin the University of Mpumalanga and surrounding communities to pursue purpose-driven enterprises that address real societalchallenges.

EDHE Intervarsity 2025 Competition

UMPCFERI’s impact was further demonstrated through its strong performance and visibility on Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Final platforms, particularly within the Tech category, where the Centre showcased its continued commitment to supporting high-impact, innovation-driven student enterprises.

A standout moment from this platform was the outstanding achievement of Ms Kholofelo Makhubupetsi, Co-Founder of CSK Environmental Consulting, who secured 1st Place in the Existing Business – Tech Category at the EDHE Intervarsity 2025 Competition. This achievement represents a significant milestone not only for Kholofelo and her enterprise, but also for UMPCFERI’s journey in nurturing innovative, marketready studentpreneurs. Under CSK Environmental Consulting, Kholofelo presented the Aqua Device an advanced technological solution designed to detect earlystage water contaminants, with a particular focus on enhancingenvironmentalsafetywithintheminingindustry.

The innovation addresses a critical environmental challenge, offering proactive monitoring solutions that support sustainability, regulatory compliance, and community wellbeing. CSK Environmental Consulting exemplifies the future ofsustainable,technology-drivenenterprisesandreflectsthe growing impact of youth-led innovation emerging from the University of Mpumalanga. This success underscores UMPCFERI’s role in cultivating entrepreneurial excellence and supporting student businesses that deliver practical, scalablesolutionstoreal-worldchallenges.

This prestigious continental platform brings together young African innovators to advance innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development, in alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Flying the flag for the University of Mpumalanga and the nation, Team Casi-Rmsha Enterprise delivered an outstanding performance, showcasing bold innovation, strong business acumen, and cross-cultural collaboration on an international stage.Out of five competing teams from across Africa, Team Casi-Rmsha Enterprise emergedastheoverall1stplacewinners.

This exceptional achievement is a powerful reflection of the entrepreneurial excellence, creativity, and competitiveness of UMPCFERI-supported studentpreneurs. The victory goes beyond the trophy it affirms UMPCFERI’s role as a launchpad for globally competitive entrepreneurs. By equipping students with the right skills, mindset, mentorship, and international exposure, the Centre continues to nurture young innovators and changemakers who are ready to shape Africa’ssustainablefuture.

Best Pitch Award in Uzbekistan

1st Place in Egypt

The University of Mpumalanga’s Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator (UMPCFERI) proudly represented South Africa at the Intra-Africa 2063 Entrepreneurship Business Pitching Competition, hosted by Pharos University in Alexandria(PUA),Egypt,from13–18October2025.

The University of Mpumalanga Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubation (UMPCFERI) continued to extend its international footprint by participating in the International Young Innovators Hackfest, hosted by Ajou University in Uzbekistan on 21 August 2025. Competing within the Financial Technology (FinTech) vertical, UMPCFERI once again demonstrated that innovation emerging from Mpumalanga can confidently compete on global platforms. Representing the University, the team presented Next GenSell, a forward-thinking Point-of-Sale and inventory management solution designed specifically to address the operationalchallengesfacedbySMMEs.

The solution integrates a seamless till-operation system, a built-in barcode generator for efficient sales tracking, and real-timeonlineinventorymanagementofferingbusinessesa practical, scalable, and technology-driven tool to enhance efficiency and growth. What set Next GenSell apart was not only its technical strength, but its proven real-world application. The system has already been piloted with four SMMEs in the Nelspruit CBD and successfully implemented by TS Galaxy Football Club for ticketing, clearly demonstrating its functionality, market readiness, and commercial relevance. Competing against universities with long-standing research legacies and advanced tech-startup ecosystems,theUMPCFERIteamdistinguisheditselfthrough the clarity of its concept, professionalism of its delivery, and confidenceinitspitch.

ThesestrengthsearnedtheteamtheBestPitchAward,along with a prize of 500,000 UZS, marking a significant international achievement for the University of Mpumalanga. This success not only celebrates the ingenuity and determination of UMPCFERI’s studentpreneurs, but also reinforces UMP’s growing reputation as a globally competitive institution producing innovation that is practical, impactful, and market-driven. From local SMMEs to international stages, UMPCFERI continues to place Mpumalangafirmlyontheglobalinnovationmap.

Captured Moments of Excellence – 2025 Captured Moments of Excellence – 2025

SWEEP SUPPORTS FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS

Gracious Ncedile, Founder of Dirty Free, a community MSME supported by the UMPCFERI and linked with the testing labs for product testing and certification, won 1 place in the province for Standard Bank Ekasi Pitch for funding.

UMPCFERIWINS THE INTRA-AFRICA 2063, COMPETITION HELD IN ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT

Measurable Strategic Achievements

UMPCFERI has prioritised skills development and employability, delivering over 60 entrepreneurship and graduateemployabilityworkshops,andconsistentlyreaching more than 450 students annually. This sustained engagement has strengthened entrepreneurial mindsets and enhanced students’ readiness for both self-employment and formal labour markets. Through its incubation and mentorship programmes, the Centre has incubated more than 55 student businesses, while providing targeted individual and group mentorship to over 120 entrepreneurs, includingcommunity-basedSMMEs.

This reflects UMPCFERI’s commitment to supporting enterprises beyond the campus and strengthening township andruraleconomies.TheCentrehasalsoplayedasignificant convening role within the entrepreneurship ecosystem, having hosted and participated in over 20 major entrepreneurship events at local, national, and international levels.

Its growing influence is further evidenced by being contracted to develop the Mpumalanga Informal Sector Policy, scheduled for official launch on 11 September 2025, marking a significant contribution to provincial economic policy. Strategic partnerships have remained central to UMPCFERI’s sustainability and impact. The Centre has securedongoingsupportfromkeypartners,includingSEDFA, Standard Bank, ABSA, Old Mutual, UCDP, as well as internationalnetworkssuchasUNIICandFulbright,enabling theexpansionandcontinuityofhigh-impactprogrammes.

Collectively, these efforts have translated into tangible economic outcomes, with over 150 students generating income through entrepreneurial activities and part-time engagement within UMPCFERI-supported enterprises. These measurable achievements underscore UMPCFERI’s role as a catalyst for innovation, enterprise development, and inclusiveeconomicgrowth.