Head of the Mandela Department of Management Practice, Dr Paul Tai-Hing, said the evening also would showcase the work of township entrepreneurs who have partnered with the University on a small business training programme.
“Doug is internationally known within the field of marketing and is an adjunct professor in the School of Management Sciences, in the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences which is hosting this public lecture,” said Dr Tai-Hing.
“With over 35 years of experience in a range of industries, often in very senior roles, he has a wealth of knowledge and expertise.
“His presentation is one leg of the evening’s proceedings, and the second leg is the Missionvale Peri-Urban Training project.”
For this legacy project of the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economic Sciences, Dr Tai-Hing and his students provide training and advice for informal traders, as well as young aspiring entrepreneurs wanting to start a small business.
GREEN FINGERS: The Missionvale Peri-Urban Training project includes vegetable gardeners
REAL-LIFE SKILLS: Sewing is one area covered in the Missionvale Peri-Urban Training project; STUDENTS IN SERVICE: Mandela University students take part in the Missionvale Peri-Urban Training project
“Missionvale Care Centre has been kind enough to provide us with facilities to bring the community in, and provided a classroom that has been kitted out for the training,” he said.
“Some of the traders, including those at the Care Centre, will be exhibiting the products they make on the night of the lecture, and guests will have the opportunity to interact with them, and to purchase from them as well.”
He said Mandela students also presented topics relevant to the traders.
“We get our students involved,” he said, giving the example of senior Business Management students who recently shared business canvas skills with the group. Fashion and Design students will also share sewing skills with a group who make clothing.
“This creates an awareness in the students that in business, they hold the power in their hands to create change. That is a big part of the value behind this project: to be in service of society.
“The message that also comes out very strongly is that the community do not want to rely on handouts. They want to come to training, learn a new skill, and become self-sufficient.”
Dr Tai-Hing said that several informal businesses have sprung up due to the impact of the programme. He cited one student on the business training programme who has started a car wash, another who runs an event-planning business, and one who provides security services.
“The whole programme is a learning place, not only for the Missionvale community but for our students who go out there as well,” he said.
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The public lecture is 17:30 for 18:00 on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Cocktails and capapes will be served afterwards with an opportunity to browse exhibition stands from the Missionvale Peri-Urban Training Project.
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RSVP to Dr Tai-Hing, paul.tai-hing@mandela.ac.za
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