Program Overview

Introduction to the SHAPE Programme

The SHAPE (Shifting Hope Activating Potential Entrepreneurship) Programme is an innovative entrepreneurship initiative hosted by Dr. Thea van der Westhuizen and her colleagues from the College of Law and Management Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). The programme aims to instil a culture of entrepreneurial self-confidence among students through various support interventions.

Programme Details

• The programme will run for 12 consecutive weeks on UKZN's Westville campus.
• It is scheduled to take place in the second semester of July.
• The programme involves forming business friendships between aspiring young entrepreneurs and existing entrepreneurs.

Target Participants

• Students in the exit level phase of their education are invited to participate.
• Existing entrepreneurial practitioners in business for at least three years are also invited.

Programme Objectives

• To provide students with the opportunity to gain valuable experiences by meeting someone who has started a business.
• To offer entrepreneurs the chance to meet someone with fresh insights, potentially leading to new business partnerships.

Programme Coordinator and Research

• Ms. Fezile Sikhakhane is the project coordinator for the programme.
• The programme will be used by full-time master's and PhD students, including Ms. Fezile Sikhakhane, Ms. Sindiswa Msomi, Mr. Wade Krieger, and Mr. John Nyamunda, to complete their research dissertations within the field of management and entrepreneurship.

Programme Philosophy

• The idea behind the programme is to bring together like-minded, like-hearted, and like-willed individuals.
• The goal is to sustain business ventures through shared passion and purpose rather than solely focusing on financial gain.