DURBAN - MANGOSUTHU University of Technology (MUT) student Wandile Sihiya’s hunger for independence has seen him qualify for the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) national competition.
The final-year quantity surveying and construction management student will represent MUT in a national competition with other university students after winning the regional rounds where he came first in the Existing Tech Business’ category. The regional competition included students from KZN universities.
The 23-year-old presented his business model of washing roofs using drones which is a business he is currently doing part-time. “My business model was approved from the time I entered the competition at university level, I cannot reveal a lot of details about it until the day of the national competition,” he explained.
Sihiya said his love for entrepreneurship stemmed from wanting to be independent and the business idea came from his passion for property. “From a young age, I have always had an interest in property and buildings. I did my in-service training as an estate agent, and when I started I had no idea where this would lead me, and I am grateful to find myself where I am today.”
The love for independence was further strengthened when he joined the Enactus community which encourages students to take part in entrepreneurship. The introduction to the community also helped develop the desire to create his own brand.
Sihiya said although he had just started out, his achievements had encouraged him to do more. “Through the business, I have managed to buy my own things and for the business. I have also realised that independence is possible, you do not have to work for someone to earn a living, but you can live off your own ideas,” he said.
He expressed delight at having made it to the national level of the competition. “I am searching what other provinces have presented in the past competition. I am also researching about the marketing space of other provinces. This will help me to understand what other teams will be presenting and how they will be representing their ideas,” he said.
Ntombifuthi Mthembu, entrepreneurship co-ordinator and a lecturer in the department of human resources and management at MUT, said she was “super excited” that an MUT student won, adding that it was the first time that the university was going to participate at national level of the EDHE competition.
The competition will be hosted by EDHE and Universities South Africa in Johannesburg, from November 17–19.
THE MERCURY