UJ CENTRE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP This Centre, led by Ms Moipone Molotsi, engaged in a number of projects in 2017: JOHANNESBURG ENTREPRENEURSHIP FESTIVAL UJ Centre for Entrepreneurship hosted the very first vibrant Johannesburg Entrepreneurship Festival in collaboration with the Dr Richard Maponya Institute, PricewaterhouseCoopers, University of Johannesburg Faculties of Art Design and Architecture, and Process Energy and Environment Technology Station, on 9 November 2017. The festival focused on trends and opportunities for innovative start-up companies in the technology space. In attendance were ICT industry experts, private companies and public-sector institutions. More than 500 people attended the festival and about 20 entrepreneurs pitched their business innovations, with a winner being a young entrepreneur, Siyabonga Ndwalane, who invented a powerful South African branded portable radio with speakers, made of polyvinyl chloride pipes. The young entrepreneur won an award to attend the 2018 Slush 2018 in Finland, a technology start-up and investment platform. THE DR MAPONYA ANNUAL LECTURE The Dr Richard Maponya Annual Lecture took place on 13 November 2017, hosted by the UJ Centre for Entrepreneurship in collaboration with the Dr Richard Maponya Institute. The keynote speaker was the world-renowned venture capitalist and international speaker, Mr Vusi Thembekwayo. More than 450 people, including university students, UJCfE alumni, township entrepreneurs, Chief Executive Officers from corporate, attended. During the lecture, Mr Thembekwayo challenged young entrepreneurs to think outside the box, and be innovative, as the South African economy needs innovative minds and ideas to take it forward. THE SMALL BUSINESS ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME A 12-day premier entrepreneurship programme for existing businesses, targeting in the main townshipbased entrepreneurs who require development in order to implement growth and turnaround strategies. The programme targeted 260 entrepreneurs and was sponsored by the University of Johannesburg Finance Expenditure, Thebe Foundation, Shell South Africa, Amahlongwa Holdings and Mtiya Dynamics. The aim of the programme is to see small businesses turn around to become medium-sized to large organisations. THE RAYMOND ACKERMAN ACADEMY OF ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT (RAA-ED) The Raymond Ackerman Foundation sponsored the RAA-ED programme, which involves training, mentoring and funding of young entrepreneurs. RAA-ED is a fivemonth interactive training and mentorship programme for youth start-ups. Sixty entrepreneurs attended the programme. College of Business and Economics Annual Report 2017 37
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