Centre for Entrepreneurship

The Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubation (CFERI)  is a flagship initiative situated at Tosa Campus, 14107 Ndaki Road, Motse-Thabong. It was officially launched on 21 April 2017 by Honourable Minister Lindiwe Zulu, in line with a national strategy driven by the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The centre exists to equip young people with the tools to transition from job seekers to job creators, thereby playing a vital role in advancing South Africa’s socio-economic development agenda. The CFERI operates in partnership with Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) and is administered in collaboration with Goldfields TVET College.

Under the leadership of Mr. Jimmy Masoetsa who has been Centre Manager since its inception, the CFERI has supported over 300 SMMEs from 2017 to date. These SMMEs span diverse industries such as technology, manufacturing, commodities supply and delivery, arts, construction, hospitality, printing, textile and clothing, building maintenance, and agriculture (including poultry, crop production, and livestock). These businesses are developed through structured incubation cohorts, where entrepreneurs receive targeted support based on their industry, growth stage, and individual needs.

The CFERI provides a full range of support services, including access to equipped workspaces, internet connectivity, business coaching, mentorship, financial literacy training, and specialised workshops. The Centre is a former GrowthWheel-certified and licensed entity, allowing it to offer world-class incubation tools and methodologies. Its strategic focus area is Renewable Energy, while also maintaining a broader generic focus to serve entrepreneurs in varied sectors. These services enable the centre’s incubatees to accelerate their business growth and expand their impact locally and nationally.  The centre through working with stakeholders like the NYDA, FDC and SEDFA helps to facilitate services like testing of products, grant applications and funding.

The Centre has celebrated a number of recent success stories that demonstrate its impact. Tailormade (Pty) Ltd has made significant inroads into the mining sector, while Wa Rona Food Enterprises has gained national recognition by winning prestigious awards in 2024 and securing shelf space in major retail chains such as Roots Butchery, Wartloo Butchery, and Spar supermarkets. Other incubatees have secured major public tenders, especially in the construction sector across the Lejweleputswa District. These milestones are a testament to the quality of incubation and support provided by the Centre.

The mission of the CFERI is to stimulate the establishment and growth of technology-based and high-impact enterprises, contributing to economic development in the Lejweleputswa District and beyond. Through targeted entrepreneurial development and access to markets, the Centre aims to uplift previously disadvantaged individuals and contribute to national goals of economic transformation, job creation, and inclusive growth. By fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, the CFERI continues to drive innovation and sustainable enterprise development in the Free State.

In addition to its incubation programmes, the CFERI has consistently excelled in national entrepreneurship competitions. The Centre has dominated the Free State province for the past three years and has produced high-performing student entrepreneurs who regularly reach the finals of the prestigious Allan Gray Entrepreneurship Challenge held in Johannesburg. Through thorough preparation and mentorship, these students have not only gained exposure but have also secured significant financial awards for their innovative business ideas. These accolades are a testament to the CFERI’s leadership, commitment to excellence, and its ability to cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship among TVET College students.

A key focus of the Centre has been to create access to markets for its incubatees, particularly in the construction and manufacturing industries. CFERI regularly facilitates the participation of its construction cohorts in high-profile national exhibitions, allowing them to network, secure tenders, and showcase their capabilities to potential clients. Similarly, manufacturing SMMEs are supported through national roadshows and exhibitions where they exhibit their locally made products. This market access strategy has not only raised the profile of these businesses but has also led to tangible business opportunities, boosting local economic activity.

Complementing its incubation programmes, the Centre also boasts an advanced Makerspace, a state-of-the-art innovation and fabrication laboratory where creativity meets enterprise. This space is equipped with cutting-edge tools such as laser cutters, 3D printers, vinyl cutters, and other digital fabrication machines. SMMEs and aspiring entrepreneurs are invited to the Makerspace to experiment, design, and prototype new ideas. It serves as a dynamic innovation hub where product development, skills training, and practical creativity are fostered under one roof, positioning the Centre at the forefront of youth innovation and industrial development in the Free State.