Chris Mabunda will be representing South Africa in Germany for the Global Entrepreneurship Summer School
A Wits University student, Chris Mabunda, is one of 35 student entrepreneurs from around the world who were selected on August 6 to attend the annual Global Entrepreneurship Summer School (GESS) programme in Munich, Germany, from September 20 – 26.
It’s the first time a Wits student has been accepted into this programme which aims to enhance the leadership skills of social entrepreneurs.
Mabunda was selected after he started a project in 2016 that manufactures eco-friendly bricks and cement from waste materials to assist people in rural areas to build houses at low cost.
According to the GESS, over 1 000 students from around the world applied for the programme this year.
The first-year BSc mathematical science student said that his selection was a great opportunity for him to meet his peers from all over the world and share ideas.
“South Africa is going through a difficult time economically. This will give me necessary insight, knowledge and skills that will enable me to make positive contribution towards our economy and social issues,” the 23-year-old said.
He said his drive towards entrepreneurship was inspired by his passion for social issues such as poverty, inequality and youth unemployment.
A friend of Mabunda’s, Simphiwe Blom, said he nominated him in February for the German programme because he is a hard worker.
“No one deserves this opportunity more than Mabunda. I have been working with him for a year and he uses every opportunity he gets to spread entrepreneur culture, and that is what we need currently in this country,” Blom said.
Blom added that Mabunda is always willing to go an extra mile to make sure that he plays an active role in society.
Mabunda urgently needs R15 000 to cover return flights to Germany and the visa application. His accommodation and food will be covered by the programme.
He is asking Wits students and staff who would like to donate towards his costs to send him an email to this address: crs.mabunda@gmail.com
FEATURED IMAGE: Chris Mabunda is the first Witsie to get into the GESS program. Photo: Takalani Sioga
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