Page 31 - CSERI Annual Review eBook

DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
Following a year of incubation, the Centre for Social Entrepreneurship awarded certificates of completion to the 2021 Incubation cohort at the Botanic Gardens networking event, which was led by the Centre’s marketing and communications officer, Ms. Snelisiwe Hlongwane.
In attendance were DUT’s Innobiz Centre Manager, Ms. Nontokozo Ngcobo, Bizfarm founder and Director, Mr. Atul Padalkar, Dr. Poppet Pillay, Mr. Solomon Nyamurima, Thobani Banda and the 2021 Incubation cohort and other DUT staff.
The networking event was aimed at giving entrepreneurs a platform to exchange knowledge, ideas, and opportunities, forge relationships, promote their enterprises, and gain more self-assurance as entrepreneurs because networking and relationship-building are essential for business growth.
Dr. Poppet Pillay gave the welcoming speech and thanked the entrepreneurs for making it this far and completing the center’s incubation programme. “We are so proud of each and every one of you for trusting us with your businesses. Today we are celebrating the growth of your business and all the milestones that your business achieved. Use today’s opportunity to network, partner and collaborate,” she said.
Mr. Atul Padalkar, the guest speaker from Bizfarm is renowned for his enthusiasm for fostering business growth. Bizfarm has
provided incubation services to entrepreneurs to grow their businesses in Durban since 2005. They focus on sustainability and green solutions and are big on office space.
Mr. Atul talked on having the ability to see and determine whether or not your company is profitable. He then offered his congratulations to the entrepreneurs who had successfully finished the incubation programme and urged them to implement everything they had learned. According to him, incubation is one of the safest environments for new business owners that allows you to make mistakes and learn from them.
Entrepreneurs were reminded by the Centre manager, Mr. Solomon Nyamurima, of the value of knowing their company’s worth and the influence of word-of-mouth marketing. He then thanked and congratulated the entrepreneurs for their commitment and passion during the programme.
Spot-On Fire Controls CEO Mr. Lungisani Nene. “I would like to thank the Centre for the support, mentorship and trainings that were provided in shaping my business, I have learnt so much and have no doubt that my business will succeed and it will never be the same again”
Owner of Sibocali, Ms. Sibongile Mtsabe “My business has grown and accomplished so much in such a short amount of time. I wish I had known about the incubation earlier. I urge all
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