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With youth unemployment remaining a significant challenge throughout the country, Walter Sisulu University’s Professor Thobeka Ncanywa and her team are tackling it head-on through innovative research.
The research team, composed of eight diverse researchers— Newlin Marongwe, Thobeka Ncanywa, Clever Ndebele, Phumla Msindwana, Grasia Chisango, Zanele Ginyigazi, Rufaro Garidzirai, and Samson Matope—united around the WSU sub-niche area of transformative education.
According to Ncanywa, the team is exploring how entrepreneurial intentions and non-formal entrepreneurship education can create valuable opportunities for unemployed youth and catalyze positive change through innovative educational approaches, addressing systemic inequities, and fostering inclusive learning environments.
“Youth unemployment is a major issue in the country that needs to be addressed. We believe that both formal and non-formal educational offerings from universities can play a crucial role in addressing this problem,” she said.
Prof Ncanywa advised early-career researchers to participate in research niche areas, emphasizing the growth opportunities they offer and their potential to significantly contribute to the university's impact on society.
She added that their focus on entrepreneurship aims to nurture and develop entrepreneurial intentions among unemployed youth through education.
“Supported by the Sustainable Development and Community Innovations for Social Entrepreneurship SDCISE, the team studied the entrepreneurial intentions of Mdantsane youth and facilitated a short non-formal entrepreneurship training program. This program included practical components to equip participants with essential entrepreneurial skills,” she said.
Ncanywa noted that the research faced challenges such as gaining access to unemployed youth for surveys. Partnering with the Mdantsane Labour Centre proved invaluable help to distribute and collect over a hundred questionnaires.
Resource limitations required the team to adjust their plans and make the most of available resources.
Looking ahead, Professor Ncanywa sees significant potential for RNA (Research Niche Areas) research to evolve and address critical issues related to youth unemployment and entrepreneurship.
“Collaborations have been crucial to the success of the research. The partnership with the Mdantsane Labour Centre provided essential access to information and participants. Support from university colleagues and students has also been instrumental. As the team expands their research to new locations, they anticipate continued collaboration with Labour Centres and academic partners,” she said.
She encouraged researchers to explore available information on niche areas and seek collaboration with experienced colleagues.
Excited about the potential for RNA research to drive transformative changes in education and entrepreneurship, Prof Ncanywa and her team hope their work will enhance understanding of entrepreneurship-related diversity and inclusion issues for unemployed youth.
Despite challenges in coordinating schedules and ensuring alignment with research goals, the team remains committed to their shared goals through strong leadership, clear communication, and mutual encouragement.
“The future of RNA research at WSU is promising, with the potential to drive transformative changes in education through innovative, interdisciplinary approaches,” she said.
Prof Ncanywa and her team’s dedication to exploring entrepreneurial intentions and non-formal entrepreneurship education is paving the way for new opportunities for unemployed youth.
Their research not only addresses critical societal issues, but also contributes to the broader goal of sustainable development and inclusive growth.
By Yolanda Palezweni
