By Shalate Davhana and Naledi News

The Pretoria-born media entrepreneur and TUT journalism alumnus, Ananias Ndlovu, was honoured as one of South Africa’s top 100 influential men at a glamourous award ceremony, hosted by Big M Productions at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg. Ananias Ndlovu is a respected figure in South Africa’s community media landscape. 

Ndlovu is well-known for his advocacy on affairs concerning community media. He received the accolade in recognition of his long-standing contribution to the development of community media. As the publisher of Naledi News and founder of the North West Media Awards, he has played a critical role in supporting independent journalism and promoting accountability through grassroots reporting.

Speaking at the event, Ndlovu said, “This award is not only about me—it is about the power of community media and its role in giving people a voice. I am humbled and honoured to be reckoned among such impactful individuals.” 

In a recent interview on TUTFM’s Plug-A-Graduate show, Ndlovu urged graduates to consider community media as potential employer rather than a stepping stone to the mainstream media.

Ndlovu’s inclusion on the Top 100 Influential Men list underscores the growing recognition of community media as a force for social change and development in South Africa. He has more than 25 years of experience in mainstream and community media. Currently a member of the Executive Committee of the National Press Club, Ndlovu mentors young journalists and is actively involved in research and training.

Ananias Ndlovu, was honoured as one of South Africa’s top 100 influential men. 

The Top 100 Influential Men is an initiative of the broader National Influential Men & Artes Awards (IMAA), which celebrates excellence across various sectors including business, arts, leadership, and community development. The awards aim to highlight men who are positively shaping South Africa’s future through their work and influence.

By Faith Modise

Exploring how academia and industry can collaborate to integrate skills and enhance quality, ultimately strengthening standards within the automotive sector — particularly for graduates entering the workforce, was at the heart of a seminar focused on the transition from the Fourth to the Fifth Industrial Revolution, hosted by the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Institute for the Future of Work (IFoW) in partnership with the South African automotive industry. 

The South African automotive industry remains one of the country’s leading contributors to manufacturing output and employment. It accounts for approximately 6–7% of the national GDP and plays a vital role in export earnings, with its influence extending across various sectors of the economy.

With more than a century of development, the automotive sector continues to evolve, especially in today’s rapidly changing technological environment. This is where TUT is stepping in to help shape the future. The seminar outlined a forward-looking vision for South Africa’s automotive industry.

Two engaging panel discussions allowed attendees to interact directly with key industry and academic leaders. These sessions unpacked the current industry landscape, emerging job opportunities and the growing need for young, innovative talent to uphold quality standards and help steer the shift toward a fully electric mobility future.

Tseliso Mohlomi, Senior Director of the IFoW, moderated the discussions with thought-provoking questions and concluded by reflecting on the collective insights shared: “Yes, we are capable, but we are not yet at the stage where we can call ourselves world beaters. There are opportunities for the industry, government and academia — and most importantly, we need each other.” 

Tseliso Mohlomi, Senior Director at the Institute for the Future of Work (IFoW) during the TUT Automotive Industry engagement focused on innovation and collaboration.

Mkululi Mlota, Chief Director at the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC), delivered an inspiring address highlighting the potential for deeper collaboration between TUT and the automotive industry. Quoting, “The winner is a dreamer who never gives up,” he emphasised the industry’s shift toward electric vehicles and the urgent demand for skilled professionals to drive this transformation and promote environmental sustainability.

Mkululi Mlota from DTIC: “A winner is a dreamer who never gives up.”

“There is an urgent need for stability through clean energy and reduced carbon emissions,” added Mrs Rouxzeta van der Merwe, a mechanical engineering lecturer at TUT. She highlighted ways in which the University is actively preparing innovative, job-ready graduates. To illustrate this, she shared three student-created videos showcasing electric cars built from cardboard and sensor-driven models — demonstrating how theoretical knowledge can be translated into practical, creative solutions.

The collaboration between TUT and the automotive industry marks a bold step toward a smarter, greener future-driven by innovation, shared purpose and the next generation of skilled leaders.

Guest speakers and panelists pictured at the TUT Automotive Industry Seminar, which focused on innovation, collaboration and advancing South Africa’s mobility future.

By Kgothatso Monono

Inspiring and supporting student-led startups within the ICT sector while nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset among the next generation of technology innovators, prompted the recent Student Entrepreneurship Day, hosted by the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FoICT) in collaboration with the Rail Manufacturing Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (RMCERI) at the Soshanguve Council Chambers. 

The event provided a powerful platform for four student startup groups to pitch their business ventures:

Following the presentation of their respective innovative ideas to a panel of industry experts and key stakeholders, these professionals offered valuable feedback, guidance and support, helping the students to refine their concepts and elevate their businesses to the next level.

Industry professional, experts and key stakeholders offered valuable feedback, guidance and support to students. 

In his inspiring opening address, Dr Robert Hans, Head of the Department of Computer Science, said: "Business has twists and turns, but one should not have sleepless nights and lose sight of the dream. Start that business and see where it can take you."

Vuyisile Memane, Lecturer and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Manager for Computer Science, also addressed the attendees, sharing the purpose and vision of the event, “The department is proud to produce more than just programmers, we strive to shape problem-solvers, innovators and entrepreneurs,” he said. 

“The event aimed to give students the platform they need to acquire skills to succeed, both as employees, employers and business leaders. Through collaboration like the one with RMCERI, we can provide our students with the knowledge and skills they need to build sustainable businesses that will stand the test of time. We want to instill a mindset of creativity, resilience and determination, ensuring that our graduates are ready to make a difference in the rapidly evolving tech landscape,” Dr Hans added.

Prominent figures in the ICT industry who contributed to the success of the day included:

Their presence underscored the critical importance of partnerships between academia, government and industry in supporting and nurturing student entrepreneurs. Through such collaboration the potential for building sustainable businesses that can create a meaningful economic impact is highlighted.

by Gerrit Bester

In the rapidly evolving world of finance, banks must continuously adapt to meet their customers' changing needs. Recognising this, Absa has set an exciting challenge for creative minds at the Tshwane University of Technology's Department of Visual Communication: to come up with innovative digital solutions that could help the bank to significantly expand its customer base.