Revenue Strategies that Encourage Graduates’ Funding Initiatives in South African Public Universities
Ayanda Princess Nongogo 
& Pfano Mashau
Issue: Vol.4 No.14 Special Issue Article 4 pp.39-53
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20234145 | Published online 20th December, 2023
© 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
As a result of the increasing unemployment rate amongst youth in South Africa, this study sought to investigate revenue generating strategies aimed at sustaining universities financially in the long run whilst focusing primarily on placing graduates in employment opportunities emanating from business start-ups or business partnerships led by universities.Under the theme of developing university revenue strategies that create graduates’ work opportunities, two research questions aimed to address the role of universities in supporting graduates’ business start-ups. The study examined how university-led graduates’ initiatives could serve as a significant contributor to the university’s third income strategy, whilst simultaneously reducing youth unemployment, which is currently one of the biggest challenges in the South African economy. The focus was on all twenty-six South African public universities using secondary data that was already publicly available. A positivist epistemology, using a quantitative research method, was used when statistically testing the first key research question which was conducted by demonstrating the strength of statistical association between two variables through applying the Pearson’s correlation test. Thereafter, in the second research question forecasting technique determined how universities can realize benefits aimed at generating extra revenue from investment contributions made towards graduates’ investment initiatives through forecasting anticipated targeted Returns on Investments. Key findings demonstrated that there was a significant association between each university’s net profit and the graduates produced, and the funding subsidy from the South African government in higher education also confirms this practice. The forecasting approach using the Excel Solver equation was possible to apply in addressing the target return on investment. This implied providing positive guidance in solidifying executive decisions to strategize allocating a university profit proportion as the basis of financing capital resources supporting university-led graduates’ initiatives for creating work opportunities.
Keywords: Revenue, Funding, South Africa, Publica Universities.
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Ms. Ayanda Princess Nongogo is currently the Acting Director: Monitoring, Evaluation & Research at Mangosuthu University of Technology, Durban South Africa. With over 14 years of dedicated service in the higher education sector, she is a results-driven professional specializing in institutional planning, strategic initiatives, and data governance. Her journey from middle management to the current role of has been marked by a steadfast commitment to excellence. My research interests lie with strategic planning and reporting, institutional research being a core influence to the data analytics approach I enjoy utilizing within my academic research skills.In her various management roles, including Deputy Director and Manager HEMIS, she has successfully led teams in implementing strategic activities, engaging with university executives, and ensuring data integrity through effective data governance practices. Her proactive problem-solving attitude, coupled with a passion for simplicity, collaboration, and maintaining high integrity, defines her professional character.
Professor Pfano Mashau is an academic affiliated with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, specialising in the field of Innovation in Entrepreneurship and Management space. Holding a PhD in Management, he further enhances his expertise with a collection of non-degree career development certificates earned through local and international short programs including an NQF 5 in artificial intelligence from the University of Johannesburg. Professor Mashau lectures students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His research endeavours are centred around vital areas such as Small Business Development, Innovation, Business Management, Entrepreneurship, and Agglomeration Economies. Professor Mashau’s scholarly achievements reflect over 60 published research articles and book chapters. His mentorship has guided nine doctoral theses to completion and supervised the completion of more than 20 Master’s dissertations. Furthermore, Professor Mashau has made significant contributions to academia by serving as an editor for journals and contributing to the publication of two books. His commitment to research excellence is underscored by his membership in the Pan African Research Council and his certification as a business advisor by the Institute of Business Advisors in Southern Africa.Professor Pfano Mashau holds the position of Academic Leader, Research and Higher Degrees at the University of KwaZulu-Natal School of Management, IS&T, and Governance, demonstrating his continued dedication to advancing education and research in his field.
Nongogo, Ayanda Princess & Mashau, Pfano. “Revenue Strategies that Encourage Graduates’ Funding Initiatives in South African Public Universities.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 4, no.14 Special Issue (2023): 39-53. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20234145
© 2023 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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