Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) continues to strengthen its national influence in innovation and economic development, as Naledi Mathole, Coordinator in the Economic Activation Office (EAO), has been nominated as National Chairperson of the EAO Community of Practice, representing all 26 universities’ EAOs in South Africa.
The nomination places SMU at the centre of a critical national platform focused on advancing innovation and entrepreneurship practices across higher education institutions. It also signals growing recognition of the university’s role in shaping solutions that extend beyond academia into real-world impact.
Mathole described the nomination as both an honour and a responsibility. “This role is about driving collaboration, strengthening innovation ecosystems, and ensuring that universities actively contribute to economic development,” she said. “We cannot afford to work in silos when the challenges we face require collective action and shared solutions.”
Her appointment reflects a clear and confident institutional direction at SMU—one that prioritises impact, relevance, and decisive action. The university’s vision to transform health services through excellence and innovation is increasingly matched by a communication strategy that is direct, purposeful, and results-driven. By refining how it presents its work, SMU is ensuring that its contributions are not only meaningful but also visible and influential.
Mathole’s professional background underscores her suitability for the role. With expertise in enterprise development, innovation translation, and stakeholder engagement. She has played a key role in building innovation pipelines that connect students to real-world applications. Her work focuses on creating environments where ideas move quickly from concept to implementation, addressing one of the most persistent gaps in higher education innovation systems.
Speaking on the urgency of this work, Mathole said, “South Africa does not lack ideas; the priority is to translate those ideas into impactful, scalable solutions. My focus is to help institutions collaborate better and deliver impact where it matters most.” Her approach reflects a shift from theoretical engagement to practical execution, aligning closely with national priorities around economic activation and job creation.
At SMU, the Economic Activation Office has become a catalyst for student and researcher entrepreneurship, driving initiatives that advance entrepreneurship development within the institution. This includes fostering strategic partnerships, enabling access to funding and support mechanisms, and strengthening a supportive environment for student entrepreneurs to grow and scale their ventures. Mathole’s leadership has been instrumental in positioning SMU as an emerging contributor to a dynamic and collaborative entrepreneurship ecosystem within higher education.
Her nomination also highlights the importance of effective advancement and communication in strengthening institutional visibility and engagement. SMU recognises that strong entrepreneurial outputs must be supported by clear, compelling messaging to mobilise stakeholders and unlock opportunities. “Impact alone is not enough,” Mathole noted. “We must communicate it with clarity and confidence so that it drives collaboration, attracts investment, and expands access to resources, training, and mentorship for student entrepreneurs.”
As National Chairperson, Mathole is expected to lead efforts that strengthen collaboration across universities, align entrepreneurship development practices, and promote the growth of inclusive and sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems. Her leadership will focus on addressing systemic barriers to student entrepreneurship, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and contributing to policy and strategic initiatives that advance entrepreneurship within higher education institutions.
For SMU, this milestone reinforces its broader mission to contribute meaningfully to education, research, and healthcare transformation. By positioning its talent on national platforms, the university is not only strengthening its brand but also actively advancing innovation and entrepreneurship within South Africa.
By Tumelo Moila
