The University of Venda Enactus will be the only South African team among the 35 champion teams (from various countries, ten (10) of which are from Africa) that will be competing with the best student social entrepreneur teams in the world for the 2017 Enactus World Championship in London, England. The team will depart from Thohoyandou to O.R Tambo International Airport on Friday, 22 September 2017.
Prof Richard Shambare, Nomagamaphelile Bam and Kudzai Mpofu strategizing for the competition.
“I am truly grateful that the UNIVEN Enactus team continues to hoist the University flag very high even beyond the borders of the African Continent. The role that Univen Enactus continue to play in supporting communities to thrive is incredibly high. I am confident that their participation in this competition will continue to inspire them to continue with their outstanding contribution in the upliftment of the community. We shall continue to support the Univen Enactus team even beyond this competition “said Prof Peter Mbati, Univen Vice-Chancellor and Principal.
The annual global event is a meeting of 3,500 students, academic and business leaders who will be showcasing their entrepreneurial actions and shared innovative solutions to transform lives and create a better future.
Prof Richard Shambare believes that Enactus Univen is ready to represent South Africa at the 2017 Enactus World Cup competitions
“University of Venda Enactus is a big family. Where there are challenges, we see opportunities, and from that, we create solutions for our community,” said Prof Richard Shambare, one of the three Faculty Advisors for Univen Enactus who will be with the team at the competition. Prof Shambare is the Head of the Department of Business Management at Univen. The other Faculty Advisors who will be advising the Univen team during the competition are Dr Malebogo Legodi and Mr Hlanganipai Ngirande.
According to Prof Shambare, Univen has capable students who believe in themselves and are also proud that they come from a real University, with real solutions for real people. Prof Shambare said, “We believe that we will be crowned the champions of this competition.” He highlighted that as Univen Enactus, they had challenges of financing their trip to London, England. “Univen Enactus is a student structure that comprises students from all the eight Schools, we are sadly leaving other members behind because of lack of funding.” He said many students are heart broken. “We understand it because it is our first time in the history of Univen Enactus -which was started in 2009-that we represent the country, we will make a mark and make this country proud,” said Shambare. He concluded by thanking everyone who contributed in funding their trip.
We have three competitive and innovative projects – Nomagamaphelile Bam
“This will be a very competitive competition because we will be competing with students who come from advanced countries with advanced universities that have advanced devices, but we are ready to compete,” said Nomagamaphelile Bam, Deputy President of Enactus Univen who is also doing her first year of Masters in Youth Development. Nomagamaphelile said she understands that Canada is going to this competition for the 8th time and that does not scare them as South African representatives because they have three competitive and innovative projects.
Kudzai Mpofu, LLM Masters student is also among the students who will be representing the country in London.
“We are our own representation, therefore, we do not compare ourselves with anyone,” Kudzai Mpofu. He said Enactus Univen has three ground breaking presentations and he is confident that with one of their projects, they will be crowned the 2017 Enactus World Cup champions.
The team will present three of their projects, namely: Hi-Hanyile, Mohlabaile Phelang and Mukondeni Ceramic Water Filter project. The Hi-Hanyile project addresses the impact of malaria on Limpopo and focusses on commercially cultivating a plant called Lippia Javanicca.
The competitions will officially begin on Tuesday, 25 September with Cultural day activities and end on Thursday, 28 September 2017. The team will leave London on Friday, 29 September and arrive in South Africa on Saturday, 30 September 2017.
Issued by: Takalani Dzaga, APR
Director of Department of Communications and Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: 015 962 8112/ 8525
Cell: 082 745 3090
Email: Takalani.dzaga@univen.ac.za
Date: 22 September 2017
