http://commerce.nwu.ac.za/bhive-enterprise-development-centre/step-programme
STEP programme
STEP programme, STEP Programme – Startup Training & Empowerment Pathway, Kickstart your entrepreneurial journey with the STEP Programme — a free, no-stress training track designed to help you build business skills, grow your confidence and turn ideas into real potential. Whether you’re just curious or already have a concept brewing, this programme gives you: Practical business basics you’ll actually use Support from…, What is STEP?, STEP (Student Training for Entrepreneurial Promotion) is entrepreneurship training for young adults. STEP develops young people’s skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue an entrepreneurial career. In the training, students will work in teams to develop and start a business. Seed funding will be provided to initiate the business., Why join?, Learn how to think like an entrepreneur Get guidance on starting your own venture Build real skills (not just theory) Connect with innovation support at NWU, What is expected of you?, Actively participate and attend all sessions Engage in running your own group business outside of class, Kick-off session, The first session is on 25 March 2026 15h00-18h00 Mahikeng - Building A20 Room G01 Potchefstroom - Building E8 Room G38 Vanderbijlpark - Building A8 Room 209, Programme duration and schedule, 13 weekly training sessions of 3 hours each, followed by implementation to apply the concepts to each team's business. Session Format Date Programme Kick-off In Person Mar 25, 2026 Identifying Business Opportunities Podcast Apr 15, 2026 Goals, Plans and Acting Podcast Apr 22, 2026 Introduction to Marketing Podcast May 6, 2026 Strategic Management…, STEP champions per campus, Vanderbijlpark Campus : Bernice Richardson Potchefstroom Campu s: Hendrick du Plessis Mahikeng Campus : Kezell Klinck, Register here, [/accordion]http://commerce.nwu.ac.za/bhive-enterprise-development-centre/leopards-lair-business-competition
Leopards Lair® Business Competition
Leopards lair , Turn your idea into a real business., NWU Leopards’ Lair is NWU’s flagship student business pitching competition. It gives students the chance to develop fundamental startup ideas, test business concepts, and build entrepreneurial skills that can lead to a business career — alongside or beyond traditional employment. Whether you already run a small business or have a great idea,…, Enter before 18 May 2026, [accordion], Why enter?, Leopards’ Lair is more than just a competition. Participants gain: Cash prizes that can serve as seed funding Venture development support Mentorship and pitch coaching Exposure to NWU’s entrepreneurship ecosystem Support to refine business models and improve investor readiness Practical skills to launch sustainable ventures This is your chance to…, Category information, Knowledge-Based Startups Transform your research, innovation, or technical skills into a real business that can make an impact. Student Side-Hustles Start and grow your own venture while studying — from creative brands to digital services and scalable business ideas., 2026 Competition Timeline, 9 March – 18 May Submit your business idea via the online entry platform. Submissions should explain: The problem or opportunity Your proposed solution Target customer or beneficiaries How you will reach the market Revenue or impact model Students can access support through the NWU online entrepreneurship training portal. 22 June Shortlisted…, Ready to leap? Enter here, If you have an idea worth exploring or a problem worth solving, Leopards’ Lair is your starting point. Whether it’s a research-driven startup, digital product or practical side-hustle, this competition gives you the structure, support and platform to grow. , Competition rules, Competition Rules, Contact details, Side-Hustle category: Vanderbijlpark Campus: Annelie.Steenkamp@nwu.ac.za Potchefstroom Campus: Lerato.Sentsho@nwu.ac.za Mahikeng Campus: Kezell.Klinck@nwu.ac.za Research-Based category: Hannes.Malan@nwu.ac.za [/accordion]http://news.nwu.ac.za/new-era-intra-african-trade-under-afcfta
A new era for intra-African trade under the AfCFTA?
Despite having some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with a combined population of well over 1 billion people, Africa still trades predominantly with the rest of the world rather than with itself. Some estimates place intra-African trade at only about 15%. This is a strikingly low figure compared to other regions, such as Europe and…http://health-sciences.nwu.ac.za/compres/staff
Staff
NRF-Rated Researchers Prof Alida Herbst (C) Prof Karel Botha (C2) Prof Vicki Koen (C3) Prof Elmien Crofford (Y) Prof Vincent Mabvurira (Y)http://health-sciences.nwu.ac.za/af/compres/personeel
Personeel
Prof Hayley Walker Buitengewone professor NNS-gegradeerde Navorsers Prof Alida Herbst (C) Prof Vicki Koen (C3) Prof Karel Botha (C2) Prof Wim Roestenburg (C3) Prof Herman Strydom (C3) Prof Elmien Crofford (Y)My research focus is on tackling the complex challenges faced by child protection social workers in South Africa. Through research, we explore the different levels, factors, and stakeholders within the child protection system to identify what hinders effective child protection. Through both PhD and master’s research, our goal is to uncover these…
http://health-sciences.nwu.ac.za/af/social-work/elmien-truter
Elmien Crofford
My research focus is on tackling the complex challenges faced by child protection social workers in South Africa. Through research, we explore the different levels, factors, and stakeholders within the child protection system to identify what hinders effective child protection. Through both PhD and master’s research, our goal is to uncover these…My research focus is on tackling the complex challenges faced by child protection social workers in South Africa. Through research, we explore the different levels, factors, and stakeholders within the child protection system to identify what hinders effective child protection. Through both PhD and master’s research, our goal is to uncover these…
http://health-sciences.nwu.ac.za/social-work/elmien-truter
Elmien Crofford
My research focus is on tackling the complex challenges faced by child protection social workers in South Africa. Through research, we explore the different levels, factors, and stakeholders within the child protection system to identify what hinders effective child protection. Through both PhD and master’s research, our goal is to uncover these…http://law.nwu.ac.za/front-page-rotating-block/news
News
Faculty of Law scholar appointed President of the Commission on Legal Pluralism Click on the image to read more SAHRC invites Prof Mmusinyane to address traditional leadership in Taung Prof Boitumelo Mmusinyane, Deputy Director of Undergraduate Programmes at the Faculty of Law's Mahikeng Campus…http://news.nwu.ac.za/eskom-and-nwu-celebrate-future-engineers