THRIVE ISSUE 5 DECEMBER 2024 27 Guest Speakers & Judges Dr. Joyce Sibeko, Lecturer, Business Management, UJ “No one is better than me, and I am not better than anyone”, this is a mantra that Dr. Joyce Sibeko (Nxumalo) lives by. A mantra that resonated with the audience as an opener for her keynote address.. A distinguished lecturer and a TAU fellow, renowned for her expertise in entrepreneurship and social economy through the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), Dr Sibeko’s impassioned speech on having a genuine approach to business and being true to oneself. An avid traveler herself, Dr. Sibeko’s talk touched on the importance of travel, not only for exposure but also to gain insights and spark new ideas. She also stressed the importance of innovation explaining that students must look at “what makes your idea different”. “Innovation simply means you are coming up with a better way of doing things Winners Best Airbnb Experience • Ayanda Magele • Rofhiwa Mashige • Gift Mokoena • Manana Ditshibane • Andisiwe Thafeni • Pheleka Canca • Nompilo Mhlongo • Queen Mkhabela • Collen Radebe • Noxolo Msomi Best Social Impact Business Idea • Tebello Mothapo • Keamogetse Seletisha Best Tech Business Idea • Haika Minja Best Food and Beverage Business Idea • Dineo Mkhwanazi • Vuyani Saul • Senamile Memela • Mafora Toketso • Boitumelo Mko Audrey Nxumalo, Entrepreneur UJ Alumnus and Superhost Ambassador for Airbnb, looks forward to visiting the university each year and sharing her story of entrepreneurship to inspire more students. “What I look forward to the most is to bring forth the spirit of entrepreneurship. When they leave here, they should be able to create employment for themselves. She applauded students who pitched opportunities to partner with her as an Airbnb Superhost as service providers as opposed to students seeking to work for her. For Nxumalo it’s about changing the narrative from employee to employer and being able to identify students are “hungry and have the drive” to be entrepreneurial. Chef Benny Masekwameng, Celebrity Chef and Masterchef SA Judge Former Executive Chef at Southern Sun, best known for his role as judge in the television show Masterchef South Africa, Chef Benny Masekwameng shared personal journey of how he built his brand. Lauding the Entrepreneurship Day project, he said: “Sometimes students have ideas but having such platforms gives them an opportunity to ask questions, and to provide with feedback on what works and even ideas on what they can add to make their ideas more unique”. Find out what you like and what you are good at. Identify products that people want and find a way to present them in such a way that will set them apart from whatever is already available Award winning students and Airbnb representatives
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