The Durban University of Technology (DUT) Faculty of Accounting & Informatics (FAI), recently co-hosted a seminar for 50 female students from the faculty.
The event was an idea of Nomplilo Mkhulisi, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Honours student, founder of MINA network central, a platform that assists women to achieve more. Through her platform she has managed to secure funding from DUT Confucius Institute to start a jewellery business and she is working on introducing similar opportunities to other students. The event was an opportunity to inspire more female students to start their businesses while studying.
The event was attended by Fanie Ndlovu; 4IR FAI Technician and Engagement Facilitator, Brian Ngiba: FAI Entrepreneurship Representative, Mthunzi Mapatwana: DUT Enactus President and Someleze Diko; DUT alumna.
DUT ICT: Application Development alumna, Mandisa Kheswa who was the guest speaker spoke on the topic: Breaking Barriers: Building a network of empowered women in business. Kheswa (23) was born in Durban, Newlands West. She is an IT software developer by trade at KZN Sports Confederation, an entrepreneur and owner of Hair4You by Mandy. Kheswa is a full-time content creator, Youtuber and TikToker and is popularly known as Mandy Careswa.
Kheswa’s social media content mainly focuses on lifestyle, comedy and fitness. She shared insights on how she gained more than 187,000 followers across different social media platforms and used her follower base to launch her hair business. Her brand has always been about trying new things and introducing products to her online community.
Speaking about her journey as an entrepreneur, Kheswa believes that starting a business comes with many challenges, customer trust is one of the challenges that she encounters the most since her business operates online.
“A message I want to convey to young women out there who want to venture into entrepreneurship is: do some thorough research on the product or service you are considering venturing into. Study your competitors and try to find something you can do better,” said Kheswa.
Pictured: Mandisa Kheswa addressing the DUT female students.
Siphokazi Dlamini
