International Entrepreneurship Forum

During the 21st International Entrepreneurship Forum in Cape Town, we were honoured to host Honorable Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams, Minister of Small Business Development in South Africa.

Her keynote address set an inspiring tone for the conference, offering sharp insights and practical strategies for building a vibrant and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem. Minister Ndabeni shared South Africa’s leadership role in the 𝐆𝟐𝟎 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩𝟐𝟎 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦, focusing on bridging the digital divide for MSMEs, unlocking access to capital, and positioning start-ups at the forefront of green industrialisation and inclusive trade.

She also highlighted the Department of Small Business Development’s newly completed 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲, which aims to create an enabling ecosystem for entrepreneurs by reforming policy, improving access to finance and markets, simplifying regulations, and expanding entrepreneurship education nationwide.

Key interventions include expanding incubation centres (with a target of 270 by 2030), strengthening partnerships with higher education institutions, and advancing early-stage entrepreneurship through initiatives like the 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐔𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭-𝐔𝐩 programme, which has already reached over 88,000 learners.

Minister Ndabeni’s message reinforced the view that entrepreneurship is not only about starting businesses, but also about equipping people with the mindset, skills, and resources to thrive in a changing world.

We thank her for her invaluable contribution to IEF 2025 and for sharing a vision of entrepreneurship that is both inclusive and action-oriented.

All good things come to an end, and so too did our 21st International Entrepreneurship Forum conference on Entrepreneurship Education and Learning at Cape Town, South Africa.

Over two days, we brought together distinguished academics, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and business leaders from across the world. We explored together key themes of ecosystem value creation through education and learning for different forms of entrepreneurship development, asking questions and proposing solutions in their appropriate contexts. We did this through a select number of keynote addresses, a main body platform of panel discussions, research presentations, with interactive debates and discussions throughout.

What stood out most was the spirit of connection: colleagues and friends, old and new, gathering to share ideas, debate, and collaborate to question, learn, disseminate, and act.

Here are a few highlights from the event. For those who attended, you can access the full photo collection here: https://lnkd.in/gGDDtZmN

Thank you to everyone who made the 21st IEF a memorable, worthwhile and meaningful gathering.

Jay Mitra, Chux Iwu, Nomonde Zumani, Holly Bui, Ashley Nguyen.

We are pleased to welcome Nick Hixson 🇺🇦 to the International Entrepreneurship Forum (IEF) 2025 in Cape Town, where he will be joining us online.

Nick has spent decades working alongside business owners, helping them navigate the complexities of running SMEs in an interconnected world. Known for being straight-talking, practical, and grounded in the realities of everyday business life, he has often been described as constructively contrarian.

He brings international experience through his role as editor of the Global Peter Drucker Forum blog, collaborating with leading management thinkers worldwide. Nick regularly addresses both public and private sector audiences on the future of work, the impact of technology, and the importance of keeping humanity at the heart of leadership and management.

In addition, he serves as 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 for the WORLD INSTITUTE FOR ACTION LEARNING - USA, where he continues to influence leadership development and strategic thinking on a global scale.

At IEF 2025, Nick will share his insights on education, coaching, and learning for entrepreneurship, offering perspectives on how SMEs can thrive in a fast-changing business landscape.

Join us in Cape Town, 18–20 September 2025, to engage with global leaders shaping entrepreneurship, education, and innovation.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Phumlani Nkontwana to the International Entrepreneurship Forum (IEF) 2025 in Cape Town.

Phumlani is a development economist, researcher, and entrepreneur with deep expertise in entrepreneurship-led sustainable development across Africa. He is the founding Academic Director of the Allan Gray Centre for Africa Entrepreneurship (AGCAE) at Stellenbosch University and the Executive Director of Fuata Africa, advancing enterprise-driven social change initiatives.

He plays an active role in shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape through his leadership positions, including serving as a Steering Committee Member for the Bertha Centre for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship and as a Board Member of the network of Interdisciplinary Network for Technology and Entrepreneurship Research in Africa. Over his 15-year career, Phumlani has led and contributed to numerous projects that promote entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development across the continent.

At IEF 2025, Phumlani will share his insights on entrepreneurship, ecosystems, and sustainable development, contributing to the dialogue on how African-led solutions can drive meaningful social and economic transformation.

Join us in Cape Town from 18 to 20 September 2025 to connect with leaders shaping entrepreneurship research, practice, and policy across Africa and beyond.

𝟮𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗘𝗙 𝗩𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝟴
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

At this 21st IEF conference we offer you the opportunity to collaborate with us to construct a new pathway to making education entrepreneurial, and entrepreneurship education (EE) to mean more than nuanced learning about starting or growing a venture. To borrow from the great Wole Soyinka let us try and determine the cultural value of EE, where culture “is a matrix of infinite possibilities and choices”

As with culture we can extract or derive arguments and strategies about entrepreneurship for the detriment and ennoblement of our society, for its oppression or liberation, for the dumbing down of its productive potential or its enhancement (with apologies to Wole Soyinka) . This multi-faceted approach to entrepreneurship (and entrepreneurship education and learning in particular) as a cultural asset has led us to curate the conference with diverse themes embracing its anthropological, economic, social, psychological, technological dimensions. We do so not within the narrow echo chambers of academia but in the company of friends and “outsiders” from across divergent stakeholder communities. And crucially, we wish to turn the axis of deliberation from its routine Western environment towards a more inclusive, African-led direction as we exchange ideas and empirics in the beautiful surroundings of Cape Town in South Africa.

Consider the 21st IEF platform and our days together as a transformative experience.
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1. https://www.azquotes.com/author/13902-Wole_Soyinka
2. Soyinka, W., 1990. Myth, literature, and the African world. Cambridge University Press.

𝟮𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗜𝗘𝗙 𝗩𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲 𝟳
𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴

We value entrepreneurs for the products, services, and organisations they create, and through these outputs the impact they have on the economy. Policy makers yearn for job creation and the improvement of the stock of assets in an economy, businesses look for fertile economic conditions, consumers seek efficient and economically satisfying goods and services. Citizens seek a fair, clean and nurturing environment, and increasingly an engagement with the values that drive the places we live in. Each of these potential outcomes embody an understanding of society where wellbeing matters as much as GDP. They enjoin our institutions to seek a continuous and adaptable approach to entrepreneurship, education, value creation, and wellbeing in society.

Yet, the association with exploitation, misappropriation and sleaze still hangs loosely with entrepreneurial behaviour and action. That journey down the slippery road from unproductive to destructive entrepreneurship is equally dependent on the same institutions and opportunities as productive entrepreneurship . Just sometimes we are dazzled or blinded by the chutzpah or flamboyance of high-octane entrepreneurship. More reason, therefore, to highlight the importance of critical entrepreneurship education and learning.
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1. Baumol, W.J., 1996. Entrepreneurship: Productive, unproductive, and destructive. Journal of business venturing, 11(1), pp.3-22.

We are pleased to welcome Prof. Thea van der Westhuizen to the IEF 2025 Conference in Cape Town this September.
Prof. Dr. Thea van der Westhuizen currently serves as Academic Leader in the School of Commerce, University of KwaZulu-Natal. From 2017 to 2023, she chaired the 𝗘𝗗𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽, 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴. In 2024, she was elected 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹’𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲.
She is an award-winning academic leader, renowned for driving entrepreneurship in academia through innovative teaching and transformative research. She founded SHAPE, earning international recognition at The Innovative Youth Incubator Awards, and has authored 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. As the former International Director of Paddle for the Planet, she advocates for global environmental sustainability and enabling youth.
With over two decades of international experience in corporate and academic sectors, her impactful collaborations span across high-impact leaders, municipality managers, CEOs of multinational companies, and youth entrepreneurs. Her remarkable career showcases her entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to excellence.
At IEF 2025, Prof. van der Westhuizen will share her expertise on academic entrepreneurship, learning, and leadership in higher education, contributing to global conversations on innovation and impactful engagement.

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We are proud to welcome Dr Lindiwe (Malindi) Kunene (IBASA-CBA), widely known as Malindi, to the International Entrepreneurship Forum (IEF) 2025 in Cape Town. Dr. Kunene is an academic in Entrepreneurship and Management at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), with a distinguished track record in research, education, and practical governance across Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape.

She is a 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫 with IBASA (Institute of Business Advisors Southern Africa) and brings deep expertise in African entrepreneurship, small organisation governance, and youth-focused enterprise solutions. Her contributions span policy, academia, and practice: she serves on the 𝐔𝐊𝐙𝐍 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐢𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 as Deputy Chairperson and has previously held leadership roles including Deputy Chairperson of the KUMISA NPC KZN Music Association, where she championed economic development through creative industries.

As the former 𝐈𝐧𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐃𝐇𝐄, she has been central in developing and institutionalising entrepreneurship education across all 𝟐𝟕 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚. Her leadership in curriculum design, fieldwork, and postgraduate supervision has significantly shaped entrepreneurship development for South African higher education.

Dr. Kunene’s current projects include leading research on 𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐙𝐮𝐥𝐮 𝐏𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐄𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, ensuring inclusive teaching practices, and spearheading a software innovation project, The SMME Hub, to support small businesses through customised solutions and digital monitoring tools. Through her consultancy, LNK Africa, she also advises corporates and parastatals on entrepreneurship strategy and youth development.

At IEF 2025, Dr. Kunene will share her insights on Education, Coaching, and Learning for Entrepreneurship, bringing forward her unique blend of academic excellence, policy engagement, and community-based innovation.

Join us in Cape Town from 18 to 20 September 2025 to engage with leaders shaping entrepreneurship in Africa and beyond. See more at https://iefconference.org/

We are proud to feature Luvuyo Rani, an award-winning South African social entrepreneur, educator, and co-founder of Silulo Ulutho Technologies(SUT), at the International Entrepreneurship Forum (IEF) 2025 in Cape Town.

A visionary leader driven by purpose, Luvuyo began his entrepreneurial journey in 2004 as a high school teacher with a single internet café in Khayelitsha. Today, Silulo has become a nationally recognised social enterprise with 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟎 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐮𝐛𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚, providing pathways for 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐛𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 for youth, women, and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Luvuyo has been widely celebrated for his leadership and impact, including being named one of the 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐛 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐬 and recognised with the 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥’𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 (𝐓𝐎𝐘𝐏) 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 award. He is also a member of global and regional networks such as 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟎, 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐁𝐍 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚, where he champions social innovation and inclusive development.

As a trusted advisor and sought-after international speaker, Luvuyo continues to push boundaries in digital inclusion, education, and social entrepreneurship - using technology and innovation to create meaningful, scalable impact across South Africa and the continent.

Join us at IEF 2025 (18-20 September, Cape Town) as Luvuyo Rani shares his journey and insights on building sustainable models for social innovation and entrepreneurial empowerment. See more at https://iefconference.org/

We are delighted to introduce Lisle Svenson, Coordinator of the Small Business Clinic at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), where she leads an experiential learning hub connecting students, entrepreneurs, and small business owners to build sustainable enterprises. Through the clinic, Lisle provides hands-on guidance in planning, starting, and growing businesses, while creating opportunities for work-integrated learning and community impact.

Alongside this role, Lisle lectures in the Management & Entrepreneurship Department at UWC’s Economic & Management Sciences Faculty. With over 12 years of experience in business and management consulting, her career includes leadership positions at 𝐏𝐰𝐂, 𝐈𝐁𝐌 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐍𝐠𝐮𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞 & 𝐂𝐨., 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐏𝐭𝐲 𝐋𝐭𝐝, which she co-founded.

Her research and practice focus on entrepreneurship, small business development, social entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth. She is also actively engaged in development work, serving as a member of the SU20 Township & Rural Task Force, and trustee of the Makwande Development Trust and the Footsteps Foundation.

At IEF 2025, Lisle will contribute to discussions on Ecosystem Value Creation through Education and Entrepreneurship, bringing forward her expertise in small business support, social entrepreneurship, and community-based development.

Join us in Cape Town from 18 to 20 September 2025 and take part in these global conversations. See more at https://iefconference.org/

We are delighted to welcome Prof. Thea van der Westhuizen to the International Entrepreneurship Forum 2025 Conference in Cape Town this September.

Prof van der Westhuizen is an award-winning academic leader, recognised for driving entrepreneurship in academia through innovative teaching and transformative research. She is the founder of 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐄, which earned international recognition at The Innovative Youth Incubator Awards, and formerly served as 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐨𝐟 Stroke Your ECO/Paddle for the Planet, where she championed global environmental sustainability and youth empowerment.

With over two decades of international experience across corporate and academic sectors, she has collaborated with high-impact leaders, municipal managers, CEOs of multinational companies, and youth entrepreneurs. Her career reflects a deep commitment to sustainability, leadership, and entrepreneurial excellence.

At IEF 2025, Prof van der Westhuizen will contribute her expertise on high-impact community engagement and internationalisation, offering valuable insights for academics, policymakers, youth leaders, and sustainability advocates.

Join us in Cape Town from 18 to 20 September 2025. https://iefconference.org/

We are pleased to introduce Dr Elona Ndlovu, PhD, a 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡, 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 with over 20 years of international experience across Southern Africa, the UK, USA, Canada, and Ireland.

Dr Ndlovu is widely recognised for her commitment to entrepreneurial development, leadership coaching, and evidence-based change. Her work spans academia, research, and consulting, where she actively supports entrepreneurs, executives, and professionals in achieving their goals and building impactful legacies.

Her contributions to academic and entrepreneurial initiatives within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) highlight her dedication to societal transformation and inclusive growth. Collaborating with both private and public enterprises, she has shaped entrepreneurship programmes and trained leaders whose impact extends across business, education, and policy.

At IEF 2025 in Cape Town, Dr Ndlovu will share her expertise on Education, Coaching, and Learning for Entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights for entrepreneurship educators, leadership coaches, policymakers, and enterprise developers.

Join us from 18 to 20 September 2025 and be part of these global conversations. See more at https://iefconference.org/