The University of Johannesburg (UJ)’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and the Department of Business Management hosted the second Entrepreneurs Assembly, which brought together entrepreneurs, innovators, students and relevant stakeholders to engage, connect and share insights on entrepreneurship and innovation.
The event, which took place on 27 August 2026, was themed ‘She Built, She Builds’.
The programme of the Assembly was guided by Dr Lawrence Seseni, Senior Lecturer and UJ Faculty Advisor, who emphasised that entrepreneurial innovation and creativity are essential tools for solving systemic problems within South Africa and the broader continent.
Dr Seseni also highlighted the pivotal role women have played in social and political movements, reminding the audience of the legacies of Struggle heroes like Charlotte Maxeke, Albertina Sisulu and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela who broke boundaries and paved the way for current generations to continue the struggle for progress.
“When I heard the theme of the event of this assembly, I thought about how easy it is to imagine that building is something you do once. You build the company, you build the career, you reach the milestone, and then you’re done,” said Kamogelo Selepe, UJ final-year Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Information Systems, who gave the keynote address, adding that she had learnt that building was more complex than that.
“Building is something you do over and over again.”
This is a lesson Kamogelo carries into her own business ArcaneEdge, an AI-powered marketing and consumer intelligence company.
In a fireside conversation with Dr. Tiyani Baadjie, South Africa’s first black female winemaker, Ntsiki Biyela spoke about frequently entering spaces dominated by white men where she felt unwelcome and out of place. Instead of retreating, Ntsiki chose courage.
She reflected on those early struggles, noting that entering spaces where “we seem to be the exception only proves that we belong everywhere”, because every space is made up of diverse human experiences.
This philosophy of belonging has since become a rallying cry for young entrepreneurs who view themselves as outsiders breaking into unfamiliar industries.
Her brand Aslina Wines, named after her grandmother, embodies legacy and values. Ntsiki encouraged young entrepreneurs to “stay grounded and rooted in your values and understand that you cannot work with somebody who does not align with you”.
By rooting her business in family, culture and authenticity, she has built a global brand that speaks not only to wine lovers but to anyone striving to remain true to themselves in the face of pressure.
Kamogelo Selepe’s success in winning the Bindzu Youth Fund and securing R1 million in funding is not the end of the story. It is proof that she built and also that she is still building.
Through initiatives like Becoming Her, Kamogelo is opening doors for young women to see themselves as builders in technology, business, and beyond.
Her journey is a reminder that excellence is not just about arriving at perfection, but continuing to build, even when tired, afraid, or uncertain. She Built. She Builds is not just a theme; it is a call to action for every woman to take herself seriously before the world does, and to keep building so that the next generation will not have to knock as hard to get through the doors.
In the closing remarks, Dr Hamilton Mphidi, Director of UJ TTO, concluded the second Entrepreneurs Assembly by emphasising that the gathering was not just about the attendance but it was about learning, networking and building. He reminded the guests that the goal is not simply to seek jobs but to create them, to establish businesses that make a real difference rather than existing on paper.
In celebrating Women’s Month, he highlighted the importance of women breaking barriers in male-dominated industries and encouraged students to carry forward the inspiration shared during the assembly. He stressed that the TTO was created for innovation, for asking questions, and for imagining new possibilities.
His final message was clear: see and be seen, stay grounded, and keep building, because the sky is not the limit. It is only the beginning.
