News & Media
Unisa Press celebrates Soweto's entrepreneurial legacy
On 30 April 2024, Unisa Press unveiled the book The Journey of the Soweto Entrepreneur since 1905 at the iconic Soweto restaurant, 1947, on the equally iconic Vilakazi Street. Edited by anti-apartheid activist, Dr Thami Mazwai, this publication offers a chronological exploration of the challenges early black businesspeople experienced in battling the oppressive laws enforced by the apartheid system, which aimed to stifle their entrepreneurial spirit. The narratives in the book describe the rich tapestry of Soweto's entrepreneurial history, recounting the triumphs and trials of its pioneering businesspeople. It urges readers to become active agents of change in their communities.
Dr Mazwai signs a copy of the book for young people during the launch in Soweto
Former Unisa Registrar and programme director for the evening, Prof Louis Molamu, opened the event by welcoming all those in attendance. He thanked the organisers for bringing together "Soweto’s finest" at such a literary and historical extravaganza. Molamu celebrated the contributions made by the editor and contributing authors, saying "this book is a priceless gift to the nation and the global reading community, it is a remarkable book that traverses different disciplinary boundaries". The chapters take the reader through the experiences of Soweto business pioneers such as Thomas Ntlebi, Josiah Sibiya, Esther Nyembezi, Richard Maponya, and many others.
The keynote speaker, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, recalled that April had witnessed the sad passing of Unisa honorary doctorate recipient, Dr Motsoko Pheko, as well as Dr Sam Motsuenyane, who wrote the foreword to the book. Lesufi admitted that although local reading culture is declining at a rapid pace, this should not discourage governments’ efforts to promote a culture of reading. The premier announced that, "[a]s part of inculcating and rekindling the spirit of reading, as well as helping the book reach the intended target audience, the Gauteng Department of Education will make [it] available to all schools that have libraries".
Attending the launch were Ntsiki Mazwai and Sipho "Hotstix" Mabuse
Unisa Press Director, Dr Meiya Nthoesane, expressed his gratitude for the partnership between Unisa Press, Nozala Trust, Mtiya Dynamics and Sanlam, in bringing the project to life. Nthoesane emphasised the importance of creating scholarship for future generations. "Mazwai," he said, "is driven by a fervent commitment to fostering transformation that eliminates poverty, unemployment and inequality. Through The Journey of the Soweto Entrepreneur since 1905, the authors seek to inspire young individuals to mirror the resilience and innovation of the township's pioneering entrepreneurs, empowering them to combat the cycle of poverty and unemployment prevalent in black communities."
The launch was followed with a book signing at Exclusive Books in Rosebank on 4 May 2024, where contributing authors such as Phil Mtimkulu and Busi Skenjana (both Unisa alumni) engaged with readers from all walks of life, sharing their back stories and experiences in compiling the book. As part of an ongoing campaign to expose the title to young people, Dr Mazwai has made a commitment to host a series of workshops focused on entrepreneurship and youth empowerment.
For more information about purchasing and accessing the book, please visit the Unisa Press website.
About Unisa Press
Unisa Press is the largest university press in Africa, publishing books and journals. The Press supports Unisa’s Research and Innovation Strategy through the development and dissemination of knowledge and research outputs, thus promoting accessibility as well as playing a role in supporting lifelong learning.
* By Emmanuel Munano, Marketing Officer, Unisa Press
Publish date: 2024/06/08
From unemployed graduate to business founder
Multidisciplinary showcase set to celebrate the creative achievements of Unisa art students
Cheers! Unisa toasts its award-winning student brewers
Building a community of strategy-as-practice researchers
Matrimonial magnificence as husband and wife graduate at Unisa