WALTER SISULU STUDENT EARNS SPOT AMONG SA TOP ENTREPRENEURS

iYunivesithi Walter Sisulu Bachelor of Education final-year student, Sivuyise Ntabeni has earned national recognition after his business, Prof Heights 2 Restaurant, was selected among the Top 12 National Finalists in the 2026 ENACTUS South Africa Competition.

Ntabeni will represent Walter Sisulu at the ENACTUS South Africa National Exposition, to be held in Johannesburg on 23 July 2026, where student entrepreneurs from universities across the country will showcase innovative businesses that address community needs while promoting sustainable economic development.

“Prof Heights 2 Restaurant was founded in 2022 and has grown from operating in rented premises to owning its own property in Mqanduli. The restaurant provides sit-down dining, hosts celebrations and offers catering services to schools and other clients, demonstrating how student entrepreneurship can create meaningful opportunities within local communities,” said Ntabeni.

He said that he has seen how difficult it is to secure employment after graduating. Ntabeni said he wanted to create opportunities for himself by doing something he is passionate about.

"ENACTUS exposed me to areas where I needed to improve, including business growth, financial bookkeeping and developing a long-term vision. It also gave me the opportunity to learn from successful businesses and apply those lessons to my own enterprise”, said Ntabeni.

He said being named among the Top 12 finalists is a significant milestone in his entrepreneurial journey.

"This achievement shows that the work we are doing has great potential. It gives us an opportunity to network with other entrepreneurs, receive support and build collaborations that will help us grow our business”, he said.

Institutional Coordinator for Student Innovation, Entrepreneurship Development and Internationalisation, Nombulelo Khanyisile Blaai, said Ntabeni's achievement reflects the impact of the University's commitment to entrepreneurship development.

"Sivuyise’s selection among the Top 12 national finalists demonstrates what our students can achieve when they are supported to transform innovative ideas into sustainable enterprises”, she said.

She added that when students succeed on national platforms, they also showcase the University's commitment to developing graduates who create opportunities for themselves and contribute to the country's economic growth.

Through initiatives such as ENACTUS and the University's Student Innovation, Entrepreneurship Development and Internationalisation programmes, Walter Sisulu continues to empower students with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to become job creators, contribute to local economic development and drive positive social change.

By Amahle Haseni