EXPERT COMMENTARY ON STUDENT ENTREPRENEURSHIP

While the literature distinguishes between opportunity-driven and necessitydriven entrepreneurship, there is broad consensus that necessity-driven entrepreneurs often serve as a critical source of entrepreneurial talent, says Sikhumbuzo Maisela, a Lecturer in the School of Business Sciences.

Campus-based entrepreneurship offers students an opportunity to pursue their studies while gaining invaluable practical business experience. The various ventures of the students featured here highlight their unique approaches to identifying and addressing market needs.

• David has capitalised on a gap in the market by offering barbering services that students previously sought offcampus, demonstrating his strong opportunity identification skills. To attract more customers and grow, I advise leveraging social media for more effective marketing to the tech-savvy campus community.

• Yedidyah's handbag-accessories business demonstrated early success, quickly achieving substantial profit. To leverage her strong business acumen Yedidyah should consider exploring diverse sales channels, such as e-commerce, to expand her market reach and revenue potential.

• Lehlohonolo has developed a business ideally suited to the university environment, addressing the needs of students in a challenging academic setting with a high attrition rate. His tutoring venture provides vital services to this community. There is potential for expansion to other universities, allowing him to broaden his impact.

• Thabiso may have initiated her business out of necessity, yet this has provided her with valuable experiential learning in entrepreneurship. Her choice of business further demonstrates an ability to identify opportunities, as the beauty and grooming industry is among the most lucrative presently. Hopefully, Thabiso will maintain and grow her business, even if she transitions into corporate employment.

Maisela concludes, “These examples underscore the creativity, resilience, and opportunity identification skills of campus entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of leveraging available resources to maximise business growth and impact.”

Sikhumbuzo Maisela is a Lecturer in the Wits School of Business Sciences. He holds a Master's in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and a Bachelor's in Accounting and Finance. A PhD candidate, his research focuses on historical perspectives on entrepreneurial inequality in South Africa and informal sector entrepreneurship. With corporate experience in business development and sales, he has also provided financial and accounting consulting to small-scale businesses.