College of Business and Economics | Annual Report 2024 77 The day began with a warm welcome from Dr. Semona Pillay (UJ Leadership Chair), who set the tone for an engaging and productive session. Mr. Mxolisi Maphakela (senior manager for research and strategic planning at the W&R SETA) then outlined the meeting’s goals, focusing on reviewing progress, addressing challenges, and strategising for the future. His presentation included a forwardlooking report on the impact of ongoing research initiatives, with a vision extending beyond 2025. The session featured updates from representatives of Gauteng, Western Cape and Free State, who shared their research progress, highlighted current challenges, and discussed opportunities for growth and sustainability. Each leadership chair contributed to the conversation, offering feedback on progress reports, evaluating the implementation of research agendas, and discussing strategic partnerships and sustainability plans. A significant highlight was the opportunity for bursary beneficiaries to present their research findings. Notable presentations included those by Mr. Baphile Duba, an MBA graduate, who presented on “Revitalizing Retail: Innovative strategies for boosting employee morale in the age of digital technology,” and Mrs. Jade Turner, a PhD candidate from the University of Johannesburg, who presented on “A customer engagement model for South African automotive dealerships: A service innovation perspective.” Additionally, Mrs. Manneheng Raphuthing and Miss Namhla Skweyiya, PhD and Master’s students from the Central University of Technology in the Free State, also contributed valuable insights, showcasing the innovative work being conducted in their respective fields. The session also introduced an exciting new career guidance toolkit, presented by Mr. Thozamile Thusani. This comprehensive digital resource supports career development within the Wholesale and Retail sector, helping young people explore and access the diverse opportunities available in this dynamic field. As the day concluded, Sir Jephrey Nene (W&R SETA Provincial Manager for the Gauteng South Region) provided a summary of the discussions and outlined the next steps, ensuring that the momentum generated during the session would lead to actionable outcomes and continued collaboration. W&R Seta Bursary Recipient Baphile Duba graduates We are delighted to announce the graduation of Mr. Baphile Duba, a recipient of the W&R Seta bursary, who successfully completed his MBA in August 2024 at the University of Johannesburg. Baphile’s academic journey has been marked by dedication, and a commitment to advancing the retail sector. Supported by the W&R Seta Leadership initiative, Baphile excelled in his studies and made a significant contribution through his research on “Revitalizing Retail: Innovative Strategies for Boosting Employee Morale in the Age of Digital Technology.” His research addresses one of the most pressing challenges in the retail industry today—keeping employees motivated and engaged amidst rapid technological changes. Mr Baphile Duba
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