By Excel Fongoma
The North West is on the brink of a new era for entrepreneurship, with the official launch of the long-awaited entrepreneurship and innovation hub.
Located at the North-West University’s (NWU) Mahikeng Campus, the North West Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub is designed to stimulate business growth, foster innovation and create job opportunities across the region.
The hub marks a major milestone in the province’s drive to empower local entrepreneurs, with a strong focus on SMMEs. The initiative brings together stakeholders from government, business and academia, making it a key part of the region’s economic transformation.
The ceremonial handover of the site was led by North West economic development MEC Bitsa Lenkopane, with the Young African Entrepreneurs Institute (YAEI) and university officials in attendance.
Lenkopane, who represented the provincial government, underscored the importance of the hub in fostering inclusive economic growth.
“This project is more than just about groundwork; it is about providing small businesses with the necessary tools to thrive. Skills development, mentorship and funding will be key in building sustainable and successful businesses here in the North West,” Lenkopane said.
The province’s financial commitment to the project sets the stage for a well-supported entrepreneurial ecosystem.
With the hub strategically located at NWU, it will offer local entrepreneurs the resources they need to thrive.
Through collaboration and support, it will offer mentorship, access to funding, skills training and a networking space for entrepreneurs. This is crucial for small businesses in the region as many of them face significant challenges such as limited access to capital and markets.
“For a small business like mine, the support available at the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub is a lifeline,” said Sinovuyo Mbunjane, owner of Mbunjane’s Candy Shop and Car Wash in Rustenburg.
“It is not just about having a space, but access to funding, mentorship and development opportunities that can help my business scale and flourish.”
Thabiso Nkosi, who is the founder of Nkosi Construction in the province, agreed that the hub would be useful.
“The resources and training offered through the hub are exactly what we need to push our businesses forward,” said Nkosi.
“From finding markets to securing the right kind of funding, the hub will offer us the tools to move past the hurdles many small businesses face,” said Nkosi.
As the hub’s construction begins, the excitement in the local entrepreneurial community is palpable.
“The North West province is full of untapped potential,” said Mbunjane.
“This hub will be the perfect space for our ideas to flourish, helping to turn them into businesses that will drive economic growth and job creation.”
The province is increasingly becoming a fertile ground for start-ups, however, entrepreneurs struggle with many challenges, especially in rural areas.
The involvement of the university will also boost entrepreneurship.
“Universities are no longer just centres of academic learning; they are engines of innovation and economic growth,” said Dr Mokgadi Maphutha, an innovation expert at NWU.
“With this hub, NWU is harnessing talent, fostering entrepreneurship and
equipping future business leaders with the tools to turn ideas into sustainable enterprises. This initiative will not only support start-ups but also contribute to the long-term prosperity of the region.”
