From Policy to Measurable Outcomes: The 2026 EDHE Workshop in Cape Town

The Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education programme, known as EDHE, hosted its Entrepreneurial Executive Leadership Workshop from 28 to 29 May 2026 at the President Hotel in Cape Town. Senior leaders from South Africa’s 26 public universities gathered with government officials and industry partners to advance the shift from established policies to tangible institutional change.

Organised by Universities South Africa in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training through the University Capacity Development Programme, and supported by Absa, the event carried the theme “From Policy to Impact: Driving Implementation and Measurable Outcomes in Entrepreneurial Universities.” Participants focused on embedding entrepreneurship across teaching, research, commercialisation and community engagement rather than treating it as an add-on activity.

Background and Evolution of EDHE in South African Higher Education

EDHE was launched at the end of 2016 by the Department of Higher Education and Training in collaboration with Universities South Africa. Its three core pillars centre on student entrepreneurship, the integration of entrepreneurial thinking into academic practice, and the development of fully entrepreneurial universities capable of generating third-stream income and driving socio-economic development.

Over the years the programme has expanded to include student competitions, train-the-trainer initiatives and targeted leadership engagements. The 2026 workshop builds directly on previous editions, including the 2023 focus on social innovation, by emphasising execution and accountability.

Key Themes and Strategic Discussions

Discussions centred on translating entrepreneurship strategies into institution-wide plans. Leaders examined how to embed entrepreneurial approaches in curricula, research outputs and co-curricular programmes while avoiding fragmented, siloed efforts.

Another major strand addressed the creation of scalable ecosystems through deeper university-industry-community collaboration. Participants explored meaningful indicators that go beyond simple participation numbers to track real economic and societal contributions.

Research commercialisation and intellectual property development featured prominently, with sessions on strengthening pipelines that link university innovation to market-ready solutions and sustainable enterprises.

Distinguished Speakers and Sector Perspectives

The programme featured a strong lineup of keynote addresses and panel contributions. Dr Nombasa Tsengwa, former CEO of Exxaro Resources, shared private-sector expectations around talent, innovation and scalable solutions. Prof Ceri Nursaw, CEO of the UK’s National Council for Entrepreneurship Education, offered global lessons on building entrepreneurial universities.

Absa’s Mr Sanley Godi conveyed the bank’s ongoing commitment, while Prof Thandi Lewin of the Department of Higher Education and Training delivered a message of support on behalf of government. Ms Anita Nel from Stellenbosch University’s Innovus spoke on high-impact technology transfer systems.

Continental perspectives came from Dr Tonny Omwansa, CEO of the Kenya National Innovation Agency. Local voices included Prof Eugene Cloete of the Cape Higher Education Consortium and representatives from the Technology Innovation Agency and the Mr Price Foundation, who addressed research-to-market pathways.

Leadership Voices on Implementation Challenges

Dr Phethiwe Matutu, CEO of Universities South Africa, stressed that universities must move beyond the question of whether to engage with entrepreneurship and instead focus on depth and intentionality. Dr Edwell Gumbo, EDHE Director, highlighted the need for entrepreneurial mindsets, systems and outcomes to respond to technological disruption, youth unemployment and funding pressures.

Dr Nhlanhla Msomi of the University of Cape Town called for a new scholarship for innovation shaped by South Africa’s own context. Mr Mahlubi Mabizela of Universities South Africa framed the gathering as a leadership platform uniting an ecosystem with a shared mission.

Photo by Richan Fourie on Unsplash

Partnerships Driving Institutional Capacity

Absa’s sustained investment supports flagship EDHE activities, reflecting a shared goal of inclusive economic growth. The Department of Higher Education and Training’s funding through the University Capacity Development Programme underpins the programme’s reach across all public universities.

Additional collaborations with the Technology Innovation Agency and corporate foundations such as the Mr Price Foundation strengthen the bridge between academic research and practical enterprise development.

Implications for South Africa’s 26 Public Universities

The workshop signals a maturing phase in which entrepreneurship moves from strategy documents into operational reality. Institutions are expected to develop clearer accountability frameworks and integrate entrepreneurial outcomes into performance metrics for teaching, research and community engagement.

By convening deputy vice-chancellors, deans and senior executives, the event creates peer-learning opportunities that can accelerate consistent progress across the sector, particularly in areas such as intellectual property management and industry linkages.

Future Outlook and Actionable Next Steps

Participants left with renewed emphasis on measurable implementation plans. Universities are encouraged to audit existing initiatives for fragmentation, establish cross-functional teams and adopt indicators that capture both economic returns and broader societal impact.

The EDHE programme will continue to provide platforms for ongoing capacity building, including regional workshops and student-focused competitions that feed into the broader ecosystem of entrepreneurial universities.

Role of Regulatory and Support Bodies

The Department of Higher Education and Training and Universities South Africa remain central coordinators. Their partnership ensures alignment with national development priorities while giving individual institutions the flexibility to tailor approaches to local contexts and strengths.

Broader Socio-Economic Context

South Africa’s higher education sector faces pressure to contribute more directly to job creation, innovation and inclusive growth. The EDHE workshop positions universities as active agents in addressing youth unemployment and fostering an entrepreneurial culture that extends beyond campus boundaries.

Photo by polina miloserdova on Unsplash

Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Entrepreneurial Transformation

The 2026 Entrepreneurial Executive Leadership Workshop marks a decisive step from policy articulation to execution. By bringing together the highest levels of university leadership with government and industry voices, the event sets the stage for South African universities to become more responsive, innovative and impactful institutions.

Further details and resources are available on the official EDHE workshop page and the Universities South Africa website.