WSU SUPPLIER DAY CHAMPIONED INCLUSIVE ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION

Walter Sisulu University (WSU) Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CfERI) reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive economic participation and local enterprise development during its Supplier Day, held at the Mthatha Campus in October.

The event brought together WSU staff, student entrepreneurs, service providers, and key industry stakeholders to engage in discussions around B-BBEE compliance, inclusive procurement, and supplier development opportunities.

The initiative formed part of WSU’s ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships that drive transformation, empower emerging suppliers, and build sustainable business relationships within and beyond the university community.

In his remarks, Professor Manoj Panicker, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences, said the Supplier Day was a strategic platform designed to bridge higher education, procurement ecosystems, and industrial value chains to advance inclusive economic growth.

“This event aligns with WSU’s vision to be an impactful, technology-introducing African university, where vision translates into visible and measurable impact. Impact is achieved through partnerships and activating efforts beyond internal strategies. The shared imperative is to redistribute opportunity, intentionally build supplier diversity, and ensure historically marginalised enterprises become active suppliers and builders of South Africa,” he said.

He added that the Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator and the WSU Supply Chain Management team had created a platform that goes beyond transactional relationships by promoting enterprise and supplier development that supports real transformation.

“This platform boldly opens real procurement pathways, deepens enterprise and supplier development, and fosters mutually beneficial partnerships,” said Panicker.

Delivering the keynote address, Nolubabalo Ndevu, Assistant Manager for Compliance and Investigations at the B-BBEE Commission, emphasised that genuine empowerment remains essential for achieving South Africa’s transformation goals. She commended WSU for launching its Enterprise Supplier Development (ESD) Programme, describing it as a step in the right direction toward creating inclusive economic participation.

“The BEE codes aim to transform the economy, ensure meaningful participation by black people, diversify racial profiles in companies, increase ownership and management by black women, communities, workers, and cooperatives, and promote broad-based investment—particularly supporting rural and local economies,” said Ndevu.

She outlined the five pillars of the BEE scorecard: Ownership, Management Control, Skills Development, Enterprise and Supplier Development, and Socio-Economic Development explaining how each contributes to transforming South Africa’s economic landscape.

“Enterprise and Supplier Development is one of the most revolutionary elements of BEE. It directly fosters viable businesses, creates an inclusive economy, and reduces barriers to entry,” said Ndevu.

Ndevu said the Commission continues to monitor BEE trends by analysing reports from organisations and assessing the overall state of transformation across various sectors, using data such as that from the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

The Supplier Day provided an important learning and networking opportunity for small and emerging businesses, equipping them with insights on compliance, procurement processes, and partnership development. It also reinforced WSU’s role as an anchor institution driving economic transformation through education, innovation, and collaboration.

By Anita Roji