With youth unemployment continuing to challenge South Africa’s future, the North-West University (NWU) is showing that entrepreneurship is key to turning the tide. Through its bhive Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), the NWU hosted Student Entrepreneurship Week (SEW) 2025 from 29 September to 3 October across all three campuses.
Under the theme “Dream it. Build it. Live it.”, the week reminded students that they have the power to be job creators, not just job seekers.
Supported by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP), and the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) initiative, the programme showcased the NWU’s determination to build graduates who are innovative, resilient, and equipped to confront South Africa’s youth unemployment crisis head-on.
Across Mahikeng, Potchefstroom and Vanderbijlpark, students from every faculty gathered for workshops, networking and keynote talks. Each campus hosted a flagship event under the theme “Millionaire Mindsets and Resilient Success”, featuring entrepreneurs who showed that success is built not only on strategy but on mindset.
Albert van Wyk (How I Became a Millionaire at 22) and Matthew Blauw (From High School Hustle to Professional Entrepreneur) captivated audiences with stories of persistence and vision.
Albert shared how, despite growing up with limited means, he invested in knowledge and disciplined financial habits building his first million by 22. His lesson to students was clear: “Your circumstances don’t limit you, your mindset does. Change how you think, and your world changes with it.”
Matthew’s journey reinforced the same idea, showing how small, consistent actions, when guided by purpose, can evolve into entrepreneurial success. Together, they highlighted the foundations of entrepreneurship: proactiveness, resilience, vision, purposeful planning and action.
SEW 2025 was also about strengthening the NWU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem through collaboration. “Building an entrepreneurial culture is not the work of one person, it is about collaboration and shared commitment,” said Dr Annelie Steenkamp from the bhive EDC.
“I want to sincerely thank my colleagues, Dr Kezell Klinck from the Mahikeng Campus and Lerato Maselwa from the Potchefstroom Campus, for their dedication in organising the events on their campuses. These efforts ensure that entrepreneurship continues to thrive across the NWU community, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration and opportunity.
“By creating spaces where students can explore ideas, develop skills, and connect with mentors, they are helping to build the next generation of changemakers who will tackle youth unemployment and contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s economic growth,” she added.
Visit https://commerce.nwu.ac.za/bhive-edc to explore the full SEW programme, upcoming events, and opportunities to grow your entrepreneurial journey.
From left are Dr Johann Landsberg, Matthew Blauw. student winner Neo Kgiba Setai, NWU mascot Eagi, Albert van Wyk, and Dr Annelie Steenkamp. (Photo: Chilli PicNic)
