Prof Tshidi Mohapeloa advocates for social entrepreneurship in inaugural lecture

Date Released: Fri, 9 May 2025 08:43 +0200

By Ephreeda Banda

 

On Tuesday, 6 May, Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 hosted the inaugural lecture of Professor Matshidiso 'Tshidi' Mohapeloa at Eden Grove Blue, formally marking her promotion to full professor. The event drew colleagues, students, family, and friends who came to acknowledge her academic contributions and leadership.

The evening began with an academic procession led by senior academics in traditional regalia, setting the formal tone for the occasion and reflecting the university’s long-standing academic traditions.

Prof. Mohapeloa’s lecture, titled “Social Value Creators: Changemakers That Use Entrepreneurship as a Conduit for Societal Transformation,” offered more than a presentation of research. It combined academic analysis with personal reflection and highlighted the role of entrepreneurship in driving ethical, sustainable societal development.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela opened the evening by outlining the importance of inaugural lectures. “Promotion to the rank of full professor marks the pinnacle of an academic’s professional and intellectual journey,” he said. “An inaugural lecture is a time-honoured tradition, rooted in the history of the medieval university, which allows a new professor to share their scholarly work while we as a community celebrate their achievements.”

These lectures provide an opportunity for professors to share their research, teaching philosophy, and public engagement, while symbolically joining the senior ranks of academia.

Prof. Mohapeloa is the Director of the Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (RU-CFERI) and Coordinator of the Postgraduate Diploma in Enterprise Management. Her academic background bridges social work and business administration, shaping an interdisciplinary approach.

“Social work taught me how to engage with complex community challenges using a strengths-based perspective,” she said in a post-lecture interview. “Business administration helped me understand strategy and apply it in non-traditional contexts. That’s why I use entrepreneurship to address real societal issues.”

Her work is grounded in practical application, aiming to ensure academic research responds to real-world needs. She teaches, supervises, and leads collaborative projects that link the university to communities in Makhanda and beyond.

Since RU-CFERI’s establishment less than a year ago, Prof. Mohapeloa has launched programmes involving students in fields such as Entomology, Chemistry, Journalism, and Biotechnology. “We’re building an entrepreneurial mindset in our students and in the community,” she said. “It’s about equipping people to approach problem-solving and leadership differently.”

At the national level, she serves as Chair of the Learning and Teaching Community of Practice under the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme. Her efforts focus on connecting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) with SHAPE (Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts for People and the Economy) through entrepreneurship education. “Rhodes is not traditionally an entrepreneurial university, but we are known for our commitment to social justice,” she noted. “Social entrepreneurship aligns closely with that mission.”

The lecture also carried broader significance as a recognition of women’s leadership in academia. Following the lecture, attendees sang songs in support of women’s empowerment, acknowledging both Prof. Mohapeloa’s accomplishment and the ongoing challenges women face in higher education.

Reflecting on her achievement, she said: “This is a journey I would never have completed without the support of others. I truly believe in the African proverb—if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go with others.”

She dedicated the lecture to the mentors, colleagues, students, and community partners who supported her and shared advice for young academics, especially women: “This path is not easy, but it’s meaningful. Know your strengths and partner with people who complement you. Don’t let structural barriers deter you—be consistent, be intentional, and surround yourself with mentors who’ve overcome similar challenges.”

Looking ahead, she expressed hope that Rhodes students would lead in societal transformation. “I want to see our students use entrepreneurship to make an impact—starting in Makhanda and extending to the world. That’s how we build a just, sustainable, and globally engaged society.”

As the event concluded, guests gathered in the Eden Grove corridor to celebrate Prof. Mohapeloa’s achievement with conversation and reflection—a fitting end to an academic milestone and a tribute to her contribution to scholarship and community engagement.

Source:The Division of Communication & Advancement