WSU ECONOMICS GRADUATE USES QUALIFICATION TO UPLIFT YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

WSU graduate, Fulufhelo Mudavhi has set out to equip early-stage entrepreneurs with the tools to build sustainable SMEs, through a newly established venture, Impact Nexus.

Graduating in absentia at the university’s May 2025 graduation, Mudavhi officially obtained his BCom Honours in Economics, which he aims to utilise in advancing opportunities for young and disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

Born and raised in Louis Trichardt, Limpopo, Mudavhi's passion stems from an inborn drive to to make a meaningful impact to those around him, especially youth and women.

“My inspiration stems from witnessing firsthand how limited access to markets stifles entrepreneurial growth. I want to contribute to policy frameworks that empower SMEs, especially those led by youth and women, to thrive in an increasingly integrated African economy,” said Mudavhi.

Mudavhi said that he had witnessed many young people with brilliant ideas but lacked the resources and support systems to take them forward.

“I learned the importance of not only teaching technical skills but also fostering confidence, critical thinking, and collaboration. The international workshops I facilitated also taught me the value of Pan-African cooperation,” he remarked.

An avid scholar, Mudavhi obtained his BCom Economics from WSU in 2024. Now pursuing his master’s degree in economics, he believes that his academic work should not be confined to the pages of a dissertation; it should translate to solutions for real-world problems.

 “I am undergoing a process of translating academic insights into practical tools and platforms with plans to collaborate with development agencies, startups, and government departments to ensure that economic data and analysis are translated into actionable programs. Initiatives like innovation labs, SME incubators, and applied research think tanks are tools I am intending to use to ensure economics doesn't just explain the world but helps change it,” said Mudavhi.

A man who wears many caps, Mudavhi currently serves in the leadership of an international organisation, coordinating a major student entrepreneurship platform that equips thousands of young people to launch social enterprises.

Offering words of encouragement to graduates and students alike, he said: “You don’t have to be what happened to you; you have to be what you choose to become. Identify what you're good at, what drives you, and use that as your launchpad for impact. Academic excellence opens doors, but it’s your character, consistency, and willingness to serve that will sustain the journey."

By Yanga Ziwele