On Saturday, 24 May 2025, Ms Ndia Magadagela, CA (SA), Co-Founder and CEO of Everlectric, delivered a compelling keynote lecture on “Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Social Impact” at the University of Venda (UNIVEN). Hosted by the Directorate of Community Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Innovation, and Commercialisation (CEEIIC) in collaboration with the Department of Accountancy, the event attracted students, staff, alumni, and community members.
Ms Ndia Magadagela, CA (SA) giving a lecture on entrepreneurship and innovation for societal impact
She stressed that innovation could stem from any area of a business model, be it resource-driven, customer-focused, finance-driven, or a hybrid approach and that it is not only capable of improving existing models but can also unlock entirely new value propositions.
Key insights from her entrepreneurial journey included: The importance of cultivating strong partnerships, reframing sales as problem-solving—in their case, using electric vehicles (EVs) to address logistical challenges, and viewing rejections and failures as opportunities for growth.
Reflecting on her personal connection to the university, she noted that while she did not study at UNIVEN, it holds a special place in her heart due to family ties and visits in the 1990s. “Impact begins where one is rooted,” she said. Ms Magadagela closed with a call to action, urging attendees to face challenges with courage and hope: “Innovation thrives where need meets courage.” She encouraged students and community members to become leaders who build legacies with integrity and to uplift others as they grow. Her message strongly resonated with the audience, prompting several students to request personal mentorship.
Prof Vhonani Netshandama, Director Community Engagement, Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Innovation, and Commercialisation
Prof Vhonani Netshandama, who had earlier welcomed guests and opened the event, proposed the development of an inclusive mentoring model to support a broader cohort of aspiring innovators. She also expressed interest in pursuing collaborative research and innovation initiatives drawing on Ms Magadagela’s expertise and network.
The programme, facilitated by Mrs Tshilidzi Nemalili, a lecturer in the Department of Accountancy, featured additional highlights. A panel discussion on the challenges of entrepreneurship and innovation in rural areas set the tone for the day, with insights from Ms Debbie Shirindzi, a Social Work graduate and entrepreneur, and Mr Tirhani Mathe, a student leader and Chairperson of the Faculty of Management, Commerce, and Law Student Committee. Panelists pointed out limited access to information and a lack of entrepreneurial literacy as key barriers to student engagement.
On photo: MTS Global Finalist presenting Ms Thia Mashele (MSc Chemistry), Ms Lesedi
Kekana (Honours Psychology) and Ms Khanyisile Mkhabela (BSc Chemistry & Maths)
Finalists of the Map the System (MTS) Global Competition presented their project, “A Future at Stake: Youth Unemployment in South Africa”, as part of their preparation for the global finals at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. The MTS programme, a global initiative promoting systems thinking, is supported at UNIVEN through the CEEIIC.
The event reflected the university’s strategic direction and commitment to community-rooted innovation. In her opening remarks, Prof Netshandama extended special thanks to Ms Magadagela and her guests, including her husband and friend Mrs Mashudu Tshipala, the first woman to graduate with a Geology degree from UNIVEN in 1999, for making the journey from Pretoria.
On photo: Mr Tirhani Mathe, Student Leader and Chairperson of the Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law student committee, during a panel discussion
Group photo of people who attended and participated in the public lecture
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
