Entrepreneurship as an Instrument for Curbing Unemployment in Rural Communities of South Africa

Bongani Thulani Gamede,
Faculty of Education
Department of Social Science
University of Zululand, South Africa
Email: Gamedeb@unizulu.ac.za

Abstract: This study examined the role of entrepreneurship in curbing unemployment in rural communities of South Africa. The study employed qualitative methods in data collection as data were collected from eight randomly selected students by using semi-structured interview. The participants were final year students from four faculties in a selected university. The collected data were analyzed qualitatively as per the themes that emerged from research objectives. The study used qualitative methods; the researcher used an interview schedule as a tool. The findings of the study revealed that curriculum of the university, lack of work integrated learning system, shortage of infrastructure, government and university policies, orientation of the students towards entrepreneurship modules among other things that limit the role of entrepreneurship in curbing unemployment in rural communities. It was recommended that entrepreneurship should be introduced as a core module in the curriculum of universities so that it helps in curbing unemployment. Also, partnership between the university and businesses within the community should be encouraged to enhance work integrated learning . Furthermore, policies of the government and university that can enhance entrepreneurship should be made and implemented at institutions of high learning.