The winning business idea presented by the UMPCFERI multidisciplinary team focused on converting ripe mangoes into dried snacks, and byproducts (leaves, seeds and peels) into compost, to support rural communities in Mpumalanga.

The Ideathon Competition is an international competition organised by UNICC, a forum comprising 17 universities from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, India and South Africa. Its objective is to enhance capabilities in assisting startups, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and skills, and foster resource sharing.

The platform also offers investors opportunities to discover new ventures and can enhance visibility, broaden networks, facilitate connections with potential partners, investors, and accelerators, and unlock additional resources.

UMPCFERI Centre Manager, Professor Kanayo Ogujiuba, said: “The 2024 UNIIC Ideathon Competition provided our students and budding entrepreneurs with the unique opportunity to expand their networks, and engage with potential partners, accelerators, and forge meaningful relationships with participants from other universities.”

Students at partner universities within the consortium, equipped with early-stage ideation, undergo screening at their respective institutions. Those selected engage in a series of online workshops, culminating in a pitch during the physical Demo Day event at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines.

This technology-based business idea competition has five categories: Smart Cities, Climate Action, Food Innovation, Agriculture, and Health and Wellness. More than 156 students from various universities participated in the global competition and their business concepts were assessed by judges based on the ability to demonstrate innovativeness, social impact, teamwork, communication, and business feasibility.

Speaking during the handover ceremony of the award at UMP, Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso hailed the team’s dedication, discipline, and professionalism.

“Your work is a true reflection of our graduate attributes, which require you to be resourceful, responsive, and responsible, have critical thinking skills and be knowledgeable, be innovative and entrepreneurial, become effective communicators, be ethically and socially aware change agents and lastly, be adaptable. You have demonstrated traits of greatness, and may you continue to make us proud as the UMP community,” she said.

Story and Pictures supplied.

The Chapter aims to provide alumni and the University with a structure through which to engage and collaborate, serve as ambassadors of UMP, and play a critical role in advancing the vision and welfare of the institution.

Newly elected Chairperson, Thabiso Nkosi, aims to build on the foundation laid by his predecessors, including   seeking opportunities for Limpopo alumni and continuing implementing programmes initiated by the previous leadership.

“My wish is to see University of Mpumalanga graduates shining and be a true reflection of 'Creating Opportunities'. Also, to empower students through entrepreneurship initiatives, build a strong job market competitiveness, raise funds for those owing fees to the university, and ensure the university pride lives forever in us.”

The newly elected executive members for the Limpopo Chapter are:

• Chairperson: Mr Thabiso Nkosi
• Secretary: Mr Jerry Tjale
• Treasurer: Ms Koketso Kgampe
• Additional Member: Ms Bongiwe Khoza

Previous Gains

The Limpopo Alumni Chapter was the first to be launched by UMP in 2019. Former Chairperson, Rejoice Modipa, provided an overview of the Chapter’s progress over the past five years. She reflected on the journey since the Chapter's inception, highlighting both achievements and challenges.

“Our University believed in our province and saw it fit to experiment with launching the first ever alumni chapter in our province,” Modipa said. “We feel so blessed and honoured to have been the first province out of the nine provinces in our country to have launched the first alumni chapter of the University. The chapter started with only two executive members, the Chairperson and the Secretary.”

The newly elected members promise to seek opportunities for alumni.

The COVID-19 pandemic initially hampered their activities, but by 2021, the Chapter held elections to appoint two additional members. Modipa emphasized the Chapter’s commitment to ethics, believing that an ethical approach yields good results and reputation.

In 2022, the Chapter had a strategic meeting with the Office of Graduates and Placement to present their Plan of Action (POA). Key initiatives included gathering Limpopo alumni through social media, assisting graduates with internships, bursaries, and jobs, and raising awareness about UMP in high schools.

Modipa highlighted notable successes, including the story of Mr Sibeko Richard, a Plant Production graduate who secured employment through a job post shared by the Chapter. “Our two additional members were of great help as they managed to connect students with jobs, agricultural facilitation roles, and information on obtaining facilitation certificates,” she said.

Despite facing challenges in fundraising, the Chapter persisted. They struggled to secure resources to connect with potential sponsors for clearing graduate debts and helping them register for postgraduate qualifications. Moreover, their awareness campaign faced hurdles as attempts to collaborate with other university departments did not yield the desired support.

Modipa hopes the new committee will build on their efforts and continue to advance the Chapter’s objectives. “We wish the upcoming committee all the best, may they not forget that a great leader listens, accepts critiques, and is transparent. A true leader is not made but born to lead.”

The UMP Limpopo Alumni Chapter strives to create opportunities and enhance the university's legacy through dedicated alumni engagement and support.

Story and pictures by Cleopatra Makhaga.

According to the NRF, the C3 rating is awarded to an individual who is an established researcher, characterised by a sustained recent record of productivity in their field and recognition by peers for producing quality work with coherence and ongoing engagement with the field.

"This rating is very significant for me in many ways. It will assist me in concentrating and narrowing my research niche area. I believe it will help in getting funding opportunities for my research projects. The NRF rating is prestigious, and it gives a reputation to the recipient. The achievement was also due to the supportive system in place at UMP. I also appreciate everyone who helped me in different ways, including my family and students."

The rating has inspired him to work harder so that he could receive a higher rating in the future. "I will have to supervise more postgraduate students and more impact research publications through local and international collaborations."

Professor Niyimbanira’s research interests include (un)employment, underemployment and poverty studies, macroeconomic policies, financial inclusion, health economics, big data analysis, climate change, entrepreneurship, and local economic development (LED).

"Though my research interest is broad, there is a clear link between variables of interest. For example, if one talks about climate-related events and transitions to renewable energy, these can lead to job losses in the coal mining and manufacturing industries. Climate change affects resource availability, leading to job losses in industries like agriculture and fisheries. Small businesses may close due to climate-related events or changes in market demand, leading to job losses.

Furthermore, climate change can disrupt global supply chains, leading to job losses in industries like manufacturing and logistics. It is well known that unemployment is a slippery slope to poverty. Therefore, these two main persistent socioeconomic ills are intertwined. So, my research projects are around causes, effects, measurements and solutions to these two problems the country and Africa in general are facing."

Professor Niyimbanira, UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Thoko Mayekiso and Dr Lianne Minnie during the 2019 Excellence Awards.

Professor Niyimbanira believes big data analysis can transform the fields of economics by assisting in macroeconomic forecasting and future trends in business. This could also assist in finding how businesses contribute to poverty reduction through job creation.

"Big data analysis creates many research opportunities for those who are doing economics and econometrics. However, these opportunities come with positive challenges to us as researchers: we must question the usual methodologies. Meaning that we have to innovatively come up with new methods and estimation techniques in our research."

He further explains that he has plenty of research ideas but needs funding, which is a significant challenge to secure. "If I had funding, I would do groundbreaking research with primary data, but due to a lack of funding, one has to rely mostly on secondary data."

Professor Niyimbanira is a member of the Economic Society of South Africa (ESSA) and the South African Association of Public Administration and Management (SAAPAM). He serves as Faculty Advisor of the ENACTUS UMP Team (Entrepreneurial Actions in Us - ENACTUS), mentoring students to solve local problems in society using innovative local solutions. He also serves as one of the five African representatives at the Global Faculty Research Network (GFRN) of ENACTUS.

"Being a member of these two academic organisations makes it easy to network, which brings collaborations with other scholars from different institutions. For example, SAAPAM connected me with professionals, researchers and experts from diverse backgrounds, and currently, we are working on publishing a co-edited book titled: Dynamics of Informal Economy in South Africa. These memberships also help me stay updated on the latest advancements and topical impact research focus areas."

As an Associate Professor, his greatest joy is to see students he mentored being employed and others having their own business. "That makes me happier, especially if you know that you played a positive role in someone’s life.  When you mentor someone, there are values you instill in that particular person; so, when they succeed, it means I succeed too, and thus did well in what I was supposed to do."

He still aspires to enhance his knowledge in applied econometrics by focusing on applications of Machine Learning in economics and causal inference.

"Machine Learning is a branch of artificial intelligence and an important component of the growing field of data science. I am looking forward to learning and applying more statistical methods and algorithms to make classifications or predictions and to uncover key insights in data mining projects."

Some of his accolades include being the 2019 recipient of the UMP Engagement Excellence Award, ENACTUS South Africa Faculty Advisor of the Year (2014 and 2020); and the 2017 Senior ENACTUS South Africa Alumnus of the Year Award. The ENACTUS team he led when he was a student was the National Champions twice (2008 and 2009) and represented South Africa in Singapore and Germany respectively. In 2019, he was a nominee for the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Award: A Special award in recognition of the most significant contribution to advancing the national agenda for entrepreneurship development in higher education.

"The work I do with ENACTUS is rewarding. The initiatives are about challenging our students through social entrepreneurial ideas and action to critically think globally and act locally in solving the problems our society is facing."

Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures supplied.

Rugby, the world's most popular sporting code, was introduced at UMP in 2022, initially as a recreational activity where students and staff members gathered on Wednesdays and Fridays to engage in touch rugby and discuss the prospects of future Super or Currie Cup triumphs for their respective teams.

The UMP Rugby Club has nurtured a roster of talented individuals who are now flourishing on the field and the team has been enjoying a winning streak. Their recent triumph (75-0) against Swaziland is a tale of determination and resilience that did not come easily. The team also made their debut at the White River Rugby Club’s Reef 10s later that year and were entered into the Ehlanzeni Premier League, competing against local clubs' second teams.

Rugby coach Sibusiso Ngomane believes that inclusion in the Rugby Premier League and affiliation with the Pumas Rugby Institute have provided invaluable experience and exposure for the team. "We encountered challenges initially, but we remained committed to our goal of establishing a competitive rugby programme. Our emphasis on player development and teamwork has been pivotal to our success."

"The Jimmy Stone House tournament was a turning point for us. It showcased our potential and determination to compete at a high level. Being in the top league and facing experienced teams with significantly higher average ages than ours was a positive learning curve, necessitating us to elevate our game. The dedication of the team managers and coaches has been instrumental in the players' development," said Ngomane.

The UMP Rugby team is on a winning streak.

UMP second-year Bachelor of Arts student, Nsuku Don Mabasa, expressed his gratitude for their coach. “He has played a key role in my development as a rugby player. His guidance and support have helped me achieve my goals both on and off the field. I am proud to represent UMP and grateful for the opportunities it has afforded me."

First-year student, Ethan George, adds that rugby has been a lifeline amidst adversity for him. His journey from primary school accolades to the provincial level is a testament to the resilience and determination instilled by the sport.

"Rugby has been my escape from life's challenges. It has taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of teamwork."

UMP Sport and Recreation is dedicated to providing students with an environment conducive to a vibrant student life through sporting and recreational activities. Ngomane elaborates on the importance of female participation and mentions that the establishment of a female team in 2023 has diversified the club and fostered inclusivity.

"The inclusion of a female rugby team was a significant milestone for us. It not only promotes gender equality but also enriches the rugby experience for everyone involved. We are proud to offer opportunities for women to excel in the sport," he said.

Members of the team celebrating a recent win.

The University is committed to gender inclusivity, recruiting players such as Qhawekazi Mdolomba, a third-year Bachelor of Development Studies student.

"Rugby has been a passion of mine since high school. Joining the UMP rugby team has allowed me to continue pursuing my love for the sport while being part of a supportive community. I am grateful for the opportunities it has provided me. Joining UMP was a dream come true, and I am grateful for the support of Coach Sisa and my teammates."

As the UMP rugby team prepares for the upcoming season, their sights are set on the Varsity Shield and beyond. With a blend of talent, determination, and unwavering support, they are poised to continue thriving and making their mark in the world of rugby. 

Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.

Professor Kalema is a member of several prestigious organisations, including the Association of Information Systems (AIS), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Information Society for Africa (IST-Africa), the International Association of Computer Science and Information Technology (IACSIT), and the Asian Council of Science Editors (ACSE).

Professor Kalema’s current and future research plans focus on the practical application of IT in daily life, particularly in economically and technologically disadvantaged developing countries. His research interests include the socio-cognitive aspects of human response to information technology, acceptance, use, and evaluation of technology for decision-making, ERPs, e-learning, ICT4Education, ICT4Business Enhancement, MOOCs, big data, mobile computing, cloud-based integrated systems, and statistical methods for data analysis.

He is currently leading a three-year project on Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) aimed at assisting learners in South African areas with low bandwidth to upgrade their Matric exams. The project’s first two years were funded by the National Electronic Media Institute of South Africa (NEMISA) with a grant of R700,000.

An experienced researcher and mentor, Professor Kalema has supervised 10 PhD candidates and 40 Master's students and examined 50 postgraduate studies at both Master's and Doctoral levels across several African universities.

He serves on several technical committees as an editorial board member and peer reviewer for journals and conferences. He has published 30 accredited journal articles and over 50 international peer-reviewed conference papers in areas including the socio-cognitive aspects of human response to information technology, acceptance, use, and evaluation of technology for decision-making, ERPs, e-learning, ICT4Education, ICT4Business Enhancement, MOOCs, big data, mobile computing, cloud-based integrated systems, and statistical methods for data analysis.

Professor Kalema is widely recognised by international research bodies and scholars, with Science and Scientometrics measures of 727 citations, an h-index of 13, and an i10-index of 18. He has spoken at various international conferences, doctoral symposiums, seminars, and workshops.

Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures @ChrislpPhoto.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are vital to South Africa's economy, particularly in creating jobs and alleviating poverty in rural areas. For his PhD studies, Dr Makgopa conducted ground-breaking research, titled: "Information and Communication Technology Model to Enhance Small-Medium Enterprises Development Using Indigenous Languages in Limpopo Province, South Africa."

The study was aimed at bridging the gap between technology and Indigenous languages to foster Small and Medium Enterprises Development. 

"SMEs play a significant role in our economy. The sector creates employment and expands salary levels, which assists in alleviating poverty. However, rural areas and small towns face development challenges that need to be addressed," he said.

For the study, an ICT-integrated framework was designed to support SMEs by incorporating indigenous languages. The conceptual framework was developed to organise critical concepts to define focus and direction.

"The model encourages the use of ICT in business operations, especially in areas where internet access is limited, promoting social entrepreneurship and development."

Dr Makgopa further explained that key components of the framework highlighted the importance of ICT resources in SMEs and how they can be implemented effectively.

"Entrepreneurship influences development outcomes, and our model demonstrates that by integrating Indigenous languages, SMEs can thrive despite limited resources.”

One of the key findings of his research is the role of government in promoting ICT and the importance of incorporating it into SME development. The research also revealed that female entrepreneurs benefit significantly from support services, underscoring the need for educational empowerment to run businesses successfully.

"We identified challenges in integrating indigenous languages with ICT for SME development, particularly in terms of access and affordability."

Dr Makgopa envisions that his research will significantly impact the local business community in Limpopo by enhancing communication and business operations through ICT.

"ICT will enable better managerial decision-making through management information systems, transforming societies from engaging in primary economic activities to more advanced financial sectors." 

"The relationship between ICT and the country's languages is essential for its development. This study aims to inform sectors that support SMEs about the need to increase ICT infrastructure, access, and support, emphasising the significant value of Indigenous languages in the development of these enterprises."

He sees a direct intersection between his role at UMP and his research. "My role involves supporting educational technology, which aligns with the ICT frameworks developed in my study," he said.

Dr Makgopa was conducting research for his PhD in Business Administration, which he received from the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership. He explains that conducting the research during the COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges.

"The pandemic restricted data collection, especially in rural areas," Dr Makgopa recalled. Despite these obstacles, he persevered, attributing his success to the support of his supervisors, Dr Priscilla Xoliswa Majola and Dr Tony Ngwenya. "Their guidance was invaluable, with Dr Majola bringing depth in ICT and Dr Ngwenya in business and entrepreneurship."

His advice to other researchers is to remain resilient and seek support. "Pursue your passions and do not hesitate to reach out for guidance. Your research can significantly impact your community and beyond," he said.

Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.

Professor Mwabvu focuses on the taxonomy, faunistics, and phylogenetics of flightless soil macroinvertebrates and their response to habitat transformation. Retaining the C2 rating signifies recognition by local and international peers, enhancing his standing in the discipline and opening doors for collaboration.

"This rating demonstrates one’s standing in the discipline and opens opportunities to collaborate with other researchers because of the publicity associated with obtaining a rating," he explained.

His research is critical for understanding environmental science, particularly through his work with soil macroinvertebrates like arthropods and earthworms. These organisms play vital roles in ecosystem services such as decomposition and nutrient cycling and are used as indicators of environmental health beyond agricultural ecosystems.

"Farming activities negatively impact soils and soil organisms. My research on the response of soil macroinvertebrates to disturbances informs sustainable agricultural practices to improve food security."

In addition to his research, Professor Mwabvu integrates his findings into the curriculum and involves students in his projects. "Since 2019, I have involved students in my research, either as field or laboratory assistants. This involvement is an example of teaching by modelling," he noted.

Professor Mwabvu in the field doing research work.

Professor Mwabvu has had several research attachments at prestigious institutions, including the Zoological Museum at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark), the Royal Museum of Central Africa (Belgium), the Natural History Museum (Zimbabwe), and the University of Yaounde 1 (Cameroon). He emphasized the importance of these international experiences.

"Growth in academia cannot be separated from collaborations and research visits to other institutions. My research has diversified to include a broad range of soil organisms, leading to different research questions being asked," he added.

At this stage in his career, Professor Mwabvu is driven by the positive impact his work can have on others, especially his students. "My obsession is teaching through role modelling. Society needs more good examples so that younger people can be inspired, even by what others perceive as little things. Retaining my rating is flattering, more so because it demonstrates that my peers recognize that I am an established researcher," he said.

As the Chairperson of the UMP Research Ethics Committee for Animal Sciences, Professor Mwabvu encourages researchers to replace and reduce the number of organisms used in research and to refine their methods to minimize harm. "The recipe for recognition and success includes having good role models, being honest, hardworking, patient, and consistent," he advised.

Professor Mwabvu’s achievements and dedication continue to inspire the next generation of scientists.

Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.

The establishment officially opened in April 2022 and has since solidified its position in Nelspruit as a leading conference and events destination. It has successfully hosted high-profile events, including the 2022 and 2023 Matric Results announcements, which were televised on SABC.

Director of Tfokomala Hotel and Conference Centre, Dr Tenson Nkosana, says the establishment excels in delivering exceptional customer service from arrival to departure. The team is committed to cultivating meaningful relationships with key stakeholders, driving collaborative success, and reinforcing their reputation as a 4-star hotel and conference venue.

“Our team of friendly, well-trained staff and students ensures a satisfying experience for our guests. We continuously update and refurbish our facilities, amenities, and services to meet evolving needs, serve high-quality cuisine, and maintain impeccable cleanliness and hygiene standards.”

Tfokomala Hotel and Conference Centre has hosted significant events.

Tfokomala Hotel and Conference Centre received a 4-star rating, and its consistent achievement of a 4-star grading by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) signifies its commitment to delivering exceptional quality and excellence.

“This prestigious rating assures our guests of a superior standard of furnishings, outstanding services, and unparalleled customer care, ensuring they receive outstanding value for their investment. Our dedication to excellence guarantees a memorable and satisfying experience for our valued guests,” he says.

Dr Nkosana adds that guests’ feedback on TripAdvisor is invaluable, driving continuous improvement efforts. They value customers' voices and actively listen to their feedback, using it as a driving force for enhancement.

“Our current ranking as No.2 out of 8 small hotels in Mbombela, coupled with an outstanding 4.5-star rating, demonstrates our dedication to excellence. We are committed to maintaining these high standards and further enhancing our guests' experiences to remain a top choice in Nelspruit."

The hotel staff is dedicated to providing excellent service.

A standout comment from Mpho M on TripAdvisor resonated with us, as she shared that our service “exceeded [her] expectations” – a testament to our unwavering commitment to excellence. We take pride in knowing we've made a positive impact and will continue to strive for exceptional service, always seeking opportunities to improve and delight our guests.”

Serving its mission of being a hotel with a purpose, Tfokomala Hotel and Conference Centre fosters a unique learning environment, providing UMP Hospitality students with hands-on experience and practical skills in the hospitality industry.

“Our commitment to excellence ensures that our customers receive exceptional service while also empowering the next generation of hospitality professionals. By combining real-world training with our high standards of delivery, we create a win-win situation that benefits both our students and our valued guests.”

Story and pictures by Cleopatra Makhaga.