On Sunday, 4 August 2019, Dr Makhosazana Magigaba, bid South Africa farewell as she jetted off to North Carolina, America where she is going to undertake a six-month task at the Appalachian State University.

Dr Magigaba heads the Department of Business Management. She is going to lecture Social Entrepreneurship and strengthen the ENACTUS team that she helped to establish in 2018 at the Appalachian State University.

Ecstatic about her journey, she said: “I am very excited and looking forward to this (experience). I was actually hand-picked by the Appalachians when they visited UNIZULU in 2017. They invited me to come in 2018 and be a guest lecturer in their university. At the time, I couldn’t go due to the fact that I was busy with my doctoral studies. I was pleased to find out that my stay will be funded by the host university.”

During their visit to UNIZULU, what stood out for the visiting Appalachian State University delegates was Dr Magigaba’s dedication towards her students and entrepreneurship. The academic had taken the delegates to the different project sites that she was instrumental in running at the time. Impressed, the delegates wanted her to replicate the projects in the United States. They were keen to gain a better understanding of social entrepreneurship.

“My advice to colleagues and students is that hard work pays. Whatever it is that you do, do it honestly and with dedication because somewhere, somehow there is someone watching. When you do something, do it because you love doing it. Be patient because not everyone will acknowledge what you are doing. I am grateful that my university has acknowledged the work that I am doing. I am humbled that the Appalachian State University has identified me from the crowd. I will continue to fly the UNIZULU flag high,” Dr Magigaba said.

She said that she is grateful to her husband and daughter for the emotional support they give her. She also paid tribute to Professor X. Mtose, UNIZULU Vice-Chancellor, who has supported all her student initiatives and served as a role model to her. Finally, she thanked her students, Faculty of Commerce, Administration and Law and the University at large for the backing.

The academic is hoping to facilitate collaboration between UNIZULU and the American university. This could be in the form of exchange programmes focused on enterprise development and the establishment of networks between both universities and entrepreneurs.

– Precious Shamase

Caption

Dr Makhosazana Magigaba, Head of the Department of Business Management, has landed an opportunity to teach Social Entrepreneurship at the Appalachian State University.