During her talk, Dr Mcata highlighted how entrepreneurship, when integrated with science and innovation, can open pathways for sustainable development.
She stressed that the integration of Agritech, sustainability practices, and value addition was essential if graduates were to thrive in the sector. She provided practical examples, including the rise of drones, mobile applications, and e-commerce platforms that are transforming farming into more efficient and profitable enterprises.
“We cannot afford to let research gather dust in library shelves or hard drives. Our research must generate income, create jobs, and provide community solutions. Every idea has potential, but it requires us to be resilient and consistent, just like when cooking pap. Without constant stirring, your meal will fail, and without resilience in entrepreneurship, even the best ideas will not survive.”
Her remarks also addressed statistics on graduate unemployment in South Africa, especially within agriculture and natural sciences. She referenced data from Statistics South Africa, which points to high levels of joblessness among young graduates, and encouraged students to embrace entrepreneurship as a viable career path.
“We must produce graduates who are not only job seekers but who are job creators. Think carefully about your research. Ask yourself: how can it be translated into a product, a service, or a business that benefits communities? You are sitting on money, you just need to unlock it,” she said.
Linking Science and Business
Dr Mcata referenced successful entrepreneurial initiatives in the agricultural space, such as Herbal Choice, a digital marketplace for farmers, and Aerobotics, a South African start-up that uses drone technology for crop monitoring.
“Globally, companies such as Upstar in India and Impossible Foods in the United States have used Agritech and biotechnology to create new markets and address food security challenges.
These examples show us that entrepreneurship is not only possible, it is already happening. The question is: how can we replicate such models in our context and adapt them to local realities?” she said.
Dr Mcata further explained how fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental sciences intersect with business to create innovative solutions. For instance, biotechnology contributes to the development of climate-resilient crops and vaccines, chemistry plays a role in food preservation and eco-friendly packaging, while physics and engineering support solar-powered irrigation and water purification technologies.
“When agriculture and science intersect with entrepreneurship, we find the sweet spot where innovation thrives. This is where research is translated into practical solutions that farmers can adopt and entrepreneurs can scale to create value and impact.”
Dr Mcata used everyday metaphors to drive her message home. Drawing on the example of a traditional braai, she explained that entrepreneurship functions like the fire that drives the process, while research and agricultural needs provide the meat and seasoning. “All three components must align for the magic to happen. Entrepreneurship is not just a side hustle; it is the fire that transforms knowledge into impact,” she said.
In closing, she called for stronger collaboration, interdisciplinary projects, and innovation ecosystems, emphasising the role of universities and faculties in positioning themselves as drivers of both local and global solutions aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We need to promote entrepreneurship education, encourage applied research, and build industry partnerships. Through collaboration, we can create sustainable jobs, improve food security, and ensure that our graduates leave university ready to make a difference.
Entrepreneurship is the engine that transforms knowledge into impact. It is our responsibility to ensure that research does not remain in books, but becomes the foundation of businesses, innovations, and solutions that change lives,” concluded Dr Mcata.
Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures JB Creative Cinema. Copyright © UMP