Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) has reason to celebrate as Naledi Mathole, its faculty advisor for the Enactus programme, has been crowned South Africa’s Best Faculty Advisor across all 26 public universities. This prestigious national honour recognises Mathole’s exceptional leadership and mentorship in fostering student entrepreneurship and social innovation at SMU.
“It’s humbling to be recognised for something I’m so passionate about,” says Mathole. “This award reflects the dedication and resilience of the students I’ve had the privilege to mentor. It reaffirms the importance of servant leadership and why supporting students as future changemakers matters.”
Mathole’s route into enterprise development began in the laboratory. Trained in molecular diagnostics, she later instructed medical professionals in microsurgical techniques before turning her focus to innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education. Appointed Coordinator of SMU’s Economic Activation Office in July 2024, she now steers campus-wide programmes including Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), the Student Women Economic Empowerment Programme (SWEEP), and a suite of innovation challenges – among them the Tshwane Higher Education Innovation Challenge – that connect students with industry partners and funding pathways. Her office works closely with incubators, faculty colleagues and national entrepreneurship networks to scale student ventures beyond campus.
The results have been striking. In its first active year with Mathole as Faculty Advisor, SMU Enactus posted a series of national performances: Techmed Connect advanced to the Enactus Early‑Stage Round; BioGlux placed in the Top Six of the Schneider Electric Challenge; and the team reached the Top Fifteen in the MTN Business Challenge. Numerous early qualifications and “small wins” helped energise a fast-growing entrepreneurial ecosystem at the university.
She credits her students’ drive: “The Enactus executive were eager, disciplined and brave enough to try. That collective energy carried us.”
Her advisory philosophy centres on empowerment, reflection and real-world learning. “We normalise failure as part of innovation. Students need safe spaces to try, fail, learn and iterate. Increasingly, my role is that of a connector – linking students with industry experts, interdisciplinary partners and practical platforms,” she explains. Structure and empathy underpin her leadership. “I don’t hand over answers. I ask questions, challenge assumptions and help them find their own voice.”
Looking ahead, Mathole wants Enactus projects to move from competition stages into durable, community-facing enterprises. Two standouts show the promise: Techmed Connect is developing an AI-enabled, multilingual healthcare agent that includes South African Sign Language; BioGlux explores technologies to support patients with medical implants.
Recruitment for a new Enactus executive and wider membership is imminent, and Mathole is urging students from all disciplines to get involved. “Entrepreneurship isn’t just about business models. It’s about solving real problems and creating impact. That’s what we’re here to nurture.”
Ultimately, she hopes her legacy will be a culture shift. “I want students to experience entrepreneurship not only within higher education as a module, but as a lifelong tool for transformation – a journey from learning about innovation to living it.”
By Tumelo Moila
