Participants at the University of Limpopo’s inaugural Faculty of Management and Law International Conference, addressing sustainable innovations amidst global challenges
By Keletso Makgopa | ulpublications@ul.ac.za
Attracting international presenters from Africa and Europe, alongside local scholars, the inaugural Faculty of Management and Law International Conference (IC) at the University of Limpopo (UL) has been hailed as a platform to address Africa’s economic and leadership challenges
The three-day event, themed ‘Integrating Sustainable Legal, Economic, and Leadership Innovations Amidst Global Conflicts and Environmental Challenges,’ sparked critical conversations on urgent global issues and showcased the faculty’s pivotal role in shaping future leaders and innovators.
Prof Sipho Seepe, Higher Education Consultant, highlights UL’s role as a dynamic space for exploring diverse ideas at the FML International Conference
Professor Sipho Seepe, Higher Education, Strategy Consultant, and Political Analyst, set the tone for the conference by stressing the importance of understanding Africa’s precarious position in the global economy. He highlighted that as long as Africans remain primary producers of raw materials, they will continue to be trapped at the bottom of the economic hierarchy. “They will remain indebted to those who manipulate data, resources, and ideas to generate wealth,” he warned. Prof Seepe emphasised that Africa’s dependence on external agencies for resource management must be addressed if the continent is to claim its economic sovereignty.
Honourable Polly Boshielo, Deputy Minister of Police and UL PhD candidate, presents on e-Government readiness in Limpopo, highlighting the need for improved ICT infrastructure to boost service delivery in rural areas
The conference also provided a platform for postgraduate students to present research addressing the unique challenges facing South Africa. Honourable Polly Boshielo, Deputy Minister of Police and a PhD candidate at UL presented her paper on e-Government readiness in Limpopo Province. Boshielo highlighted that the province’s predominantly rural society and underdeveloped towns have hindered the implementation of digital government services. She said under different circumstances, “The rollout of e-Government services, especially in rural areas, could dramatically accelerate service delivery and improve revenue collection,” emphasising the critical need for improved ICT infrastructure in the province.
Prof Elvis Nkoana of UL presents on youth entrepreneurship in Soweto
Another notable presentation came from Prof Elvis Nkoana, an Associate Professor in the School of Economics and Management at UL, who examined the dynamics of youth entrepreneurship in Soweto. Prof Nkoana highlighted the pressing issue of youth unemployment in South Africa, particularly in rural and township areas. He argued that “while entrepreneurship is a potential solution to this crisis, young entrepreneurs face significant barriers in accessing the resources they need to start and grow businesses.” His study sheds light on these challenges and calls for targeted support to unlock their potential.
Additionally, Robert Zwane, Executive Director of Learning, Development, and National Imperatives at SAICA, delivered an address on the future of work. Citing the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, he noted that 50% of employees will require reskilling by 2025 due to the increasing adoption of technology. “The shift in the division of labour between humans and machines could displace 85 million jobs by 2025,” Zwane stated, stressing that skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and resilience will be key to navigating this transition.
In closing, Prof Omphemetse Sibanda, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management and Law, highlighted the significance of the conference in fostering intellectual exchange and generating innovative ideas for a sustainable future. “This conference marks a historic milestone for UL. Our sub-themes, from Business Models for Sustainability to Legal and Regulatory Frameworks, are designed to drive meaningful dialogue on how we can collectively address Africa’s challenges and seize opportunities for growth,” Prof Sibanda noted, reaffirming the University’s commitment to finding solutions for Africa.
Prof Tlou Setati, FML Research Professor, echoed Prof Sibanda’s sentiments, emphasising the importance of student participation in the conference. He noted that the students’ papers will undergo further refinement for publication in academic journals. “These are not just academic exercises; we are committed to mentoring students and ensuring their research contributes to the broader body of knowledge,” he explained, underlining the Faculty’s dedication to nurturing academic excellence.