Speakers Biography

The name Chad means warrior leader and the surname Lucas means bright light. In accordance with his namesake, and Christian Faith, he aims to be the ‘Light in the darkness’, and  ‘shine brightly’ with his leadership qualities. These qualities were inspired and instilled in him by his family, who are major contributors to his success. He is a final year BCom gen. (Business Management, Marketing & Entrepreneurship) student at Sol Plaatje University (SPU).

He is involved in the family business, Potokela Utilities after  partnering with his uncle and  serves as the Executive Director and Partner.  Potokela Utilities is a registered BBBEE level 1 company that sources and distributes Antibax multi-purpose disinfectant and sanitizer in the Northern Cape, North West and Gauteng Provinces. The company further distributes personalised clothing, face masks and sanitizer bottles for corporate and social events.

Through his involvement in entrepreneurship at SPU, he was exposed to the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) where he was a regional finalist  in the 2020 EDHE intervarsity entrepreneurship competition. Building onto knowledge gained by being a part of the EDHE community, he was a part of the founding team of the first ever SPU Student Entrepreneurship committee, where he serves as the  Chairperson.

He also serves as the national Deputy Chairperson of  EDHE Studentpreneur Community of Practice (CoP) a platform  to identify  opportunities and address challenges faced by studentpreneurs within universities.

He has also been awarded the first ever Northern Cape Innovation Forum (NCIF) innovator of the month, and featured on their pilot ‘Network Corner’ event.

His interests are entrepreneurship in teaching & learning, entrepreneurial research, and student entrepreneurship.

He lives by the quote: “Leaders don’t create followers. They create more leaders.” Which is the motto he has adopted in his efforts to inspire student entrepreneurship and the expansion thereof both at a  national and local level.

Charleen Duncan is the Head of Programmes at Allan Gray Orbis Foundation. Her current role is to lead, direct and develop the senior leadership team in Fellows/Scholars/Alumni/AGEC Programme Management through strategy formulation, talent management and operational excellence.

She was the Director for The Centre of Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC).  The CEI is active in developing short courses and entrepreneurship training programmes at UWC which has a footprint across all seven faculties. Its objectives are addressing the student entrepreneurship agenda and contributing to local economic development by supporting SMME’s in the Western Cape. She played an active role for the national platform representing the 26 SA universities, Entrepreneurial Development in Higher Education reporting into Universities South Africa (USAF). Currently she is on the advisory board for the US-SA Higher Education Network. One of her career highlights at UWC is setting up the first ever in South Africa design, entrepreneurship and textile incubator.

Some of her earlier career highlights are: Contributing to the core activities  of  the South African Human Rights Commission,  National Project Manager for South Africa’s first Year of Science, Engineering and Technology (National Project for The Office of The President), She was on  the communication’s team facilitating The Race against Malaria- from Cape Town to Tanzania (National Health Minister’s Office), Co-ordinating the first Cochrane Colloquium in a developing country , job shadowed in Italy to facilitate a successful event in South Africa. She travelled throughout Indonesia with the Western Cape Premier and a delegation to develop trade relations and MOU’s between Indonesia and South Africa.

Charleen Duncan worked with the World Health Organisation, Centre for Disease Control, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Rockefeller Centre while she was at the SA Medical Research Council. At ABSA she was part of the communications team facilitating the first 100 days after the ABSA/Barclays merger. Charleen Duncan has worked across the triple helix and has a great understanding of the value add that these networks can add to creating impact at societal level.

In 2020 Ms Duncan completed a master’s degree (cum laude) in development studies with a focus on the informal economy.

I build strategic growth focused partnerships between the public and private sectors in Africa to achieve sustainable and impactful outcomes through collaborative efforts, resulting in the improvement of people’s lives. I work to bridge the gaps between Youth Development, Employability Skills, Job Creation, Entrepreneurship Education, Start-up Success, Economic Development in Africa.

Having been part of the local and global entrepreneurship and SME ecosystem for almost 30 years, from all sides, there is much to change, and change drastically. Let’s stop the talk shops and get busy because what worked yesterday will not work tomorrow!

Driven by a belief that entrepreneurship and successful venture creation will result in the sustainable jobs we need, I have made it my mission to promote the education, support, and development of youth entrepreneurs and start-up ventures in Africa. Being a lifelong entrepreneur myself as well as a seasoned business executive with 29+ years’ experience, my passion is to share and transfer practical business skills and knowledge to our current and future generations of youth and start-up entrepreneurs.
Over the past 15 years I have personally mentored 100’s of entrepreneurs, and indirectly facilitated the growth and mentorship of 1000’s more. During this period, I have collaborated and worked with various local and global organizations to assist and grow start-up and existing entrepreneurs, including the successful development and implementation of outcome focused mentorship programs, ESD processes, and incubators.
Having always been told by the experts that you cannot teach entrepreneurship, I invite you to be witness to what is now being successfully done globally, and in Africa!

Entrepreneurship and the development of an entrepreneurial mindset does not only apply to venture creation but is also acknowledged as a valuable skillset for enployees. By building relationships and partnerships in my network between all socio-economic global NPO’s, higher education institutions, SME support and development organizations, corporates, and governments (local and international), my aim is to establish formal entrepreneurship training in our higher education systems and to facilitate partnership initiatives for the ongoing support and development of new ventures to stimulate job creation.

Again, regional economic development and the eradication of poverty is my goal!

Charmaine Gangen
(Cape Town, South Africa)
(MBA, PG-Education, Healthcare Professional)

Charmaine is a seasoned business academic, with a passion for New Venture creation, facilitating, mentoring and coaching students nationally and internationally in the Entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The leading global judge on the Younoodle/Wadhwani Foundation Global Jury panel, having evaluated over 400 student ventures.

Currently working on E Cells, assisting Universities globally.

A registered Healthcare Professional with international experience.

Cuma Dube is the Executive Chairperson of Intsika Investment Managers and the Principal of the Intsika Impact Fund. He’s a business sustainability, impact management and responsible investing professional and also leads the Business Sustainability team at Mazars in South Africa.

Jesaya is an investment professional with a passion for social activism, entrepreneurship and human development. He possesses a valuable understanding of the linkages between public, private and civic organisations. Professionally Jesaya has worked in bank treasury management, private equity/venture capital, investment advisory and startup business development. He is a keen angel investor and serves on the board of a number of start-ups. Jesaya is also involved in the leadership of a number of civic organisations aimed at improving the social and economic outcomes of Namibia.

Nina Louw is a strategic management and change facilitator, with industry experience in strategy, change and business development in financial services, mining and small businesses. As a lifelong learner and teacher she is currently pursuing a PhD with a focus in Strategic Management and how this relates to sustainable development and a circular economy approach to business. She also lectures at Cornerstone Institute and Stellenbosch University. Nina is curious, an avid reader and tries to go to the mountains or catch a wave whenever possible. Life, a gift, in grace.

Semukele Hellen Mlotshwa is an entrepreneur, environmentalist, with more than 15 years’ experience as both a practitioner and scholar in the fields of entrepreneurship and new venture creation, Business Management and Environmental Health and Science.  She is a mentor and business coach.

Ms Mlotshwa holds a Master’s degree in Management, (Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation), BSc Environmental Health and science and is currently a PHD candidate at WBS.

• Ms Hellen, has accomplished multi-discipline in academic; holds a Master’s degree in Management, (Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation) PGDM and currently a PHD candidate at WBS and her Topic: PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY ON ENTREPRENEURIAL IDENTITY, ASPIRATION AND SUCCESS AMONG FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN SOUTH AFRICA
• She is an applied researcher who has led and participated in a number of research projects in environmental management, heritage management, Environmental impact assessments, Socio Economic development Semukele Hellen has been actively involved in various sustainable development and environmental education projects, ensuring that previously disadvantaged people experience a hands-on approach to community development, public participation and sustainable development projects. Her passion for facilitation, training, business management and the environment management originates from understanding social, economic, natural and institutional environments that forms the foundation for sustainable development

Dr. Sheenu Jain is Associate Professor, Marketing, Chair, Centre for Innovation, Incubation, and Entrepreneurship (CIIE), and Chair Marketing & Communications at IIHMR University. She has worked for a short stint with Jaipur Rugs as Assistant General Manager, Marketing & Communication. Prior to this, she was faculty in the area of marketing and entrepreneurship at Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur. She has over 15 years of experience in academia, consulting, start-up training, digital marketing, and student mentorship. She has earned her Ph.D. in green marketing. She holds a multi-disciplinary master’s degree in MBA (marketing), M.Com, and MSc applied psychology. She headed the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation as a young management scholar at IIM Calcutta for about three years. She is also a ISB, Hyderabad, certified entrepreneurship educator. She has been selected by Goldman Sachs and London Business School among 10,000 women entrepreneur programs. She is also a certified master trainer from the Wadhwani Foundation on entrepreneurship education and marketing tools. 

She has closely worked with the Ministry of North East, CII & Indian Chamber of Commerce on various joint programs. She has to her credit more than 30 papers published in various refereed journals of national and international repute. She has successfully organized various national & international conferences. She has conducted various Management Development Programmes in different spheres of sales, leadership, negotiation skills, marketing management, and served as a resource person for various in – house training programs of corporates. She has attended many national and international conferences, seminars, and workshops. She has represented on various national & international forums like Ad –Asia, CII Partnership Summit, Round Tables, etc. She has to her credit four edited books. 

She has enjoyed numerous positions of responsibility in various capacities. She is the recipient of numerous meritorious awards throughout her academic career. She is also the recipient of the young achiever award, various Samaj Gaurav Awards. A Competent writer works as a freelancer with Times of India, Tribune, The Statesman, DNA Academy, etc. She has recently released a book on Demonetization & Digital Economy. Her area of interest includes understanding the consumer mind, green marketing, digital marketing, retail management, and Entrepreneurship. 

Biography : Dr Thea van der Westhuizen

Multi award-winning academic professional, acting as Convener for Department of Higher Education and Training in South Africa to develop academic entrepreneurship in South-Africa through the Education Development in Higher Education programme’s Community of Practice for academic entrepreneurship. Founder of SHAPE (Shifting Hope, Activating Potential Entrepreneurship) which was awarded as Best Youth Development Organization in KZN. She acts as International Director of Paddle for the Planet, the former official flagship project of the International Olympics Committee. Dr van der Westhuizen has over 20 years of international work experience in the corporate and academic sectors. High profile collaborations with Ambassadors, Municipality Managers, Sheikhs as well as CEOs of multi-national companies all forms part of her portfolio. She resides in the School of Management information Technology and Governance, Discipline of Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Thulani Dube

• Faculty Programmes Coordinator
• Business Studies Department Lead

Thulani Dube holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Nicosia. He also graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree in Business Management from the University of South Africa (UNISA) where he earlier received a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Human Resources Management. His passion for human capital development further urged him towards a Higher National Certificate in Skills Development Facilitation through UNISA as well. His lecturing focus areas include Leadership Development, Entrepreneurship and Business Management and Marketing. He remains committed to focusing on Managerial Leadership Development as well as Youth empowerment and development through his engagements on various platforms. Thulani is certified Six Sigma Green Belt is currently working towards his Black Belt Six Sigma Certification.