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Thank you for attending the 2024 W&RSETA Research Conference! We appreciate your participation and look forward to the next edition in 2026!

THE ROAD TO

We can't wait for our next engagement

2026 W&RSETA RESEARCH CONFERENCE

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Thank you for attending the 2024 W&RSETA Research Conference! We appreciate your participation and look forward to the next edition in 2026!

THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING 

We appreciate your participation and look forward to the next edition in 2026!

THE 2024 W&RSETA RESEARCH CONFERENCE

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Who Should Attend 

Research and Innovation Master Class

Academic Institutions

Representatives from TVET colleges, universities, and research institutions should attend to showcase their latest research and educational innovations. This includes deans, research chairs, faculty members, and students (especially those involved in W&RSETA-funded projects). Their participation is crucial for demonstrating the alignment between academic research and industry needs, as well as for fostering collaboration between education and industry.

​Industry Leaders

Executives and innovation managers from wholesale and retail companies, as well as industry associations, should attend to engage with the latest academic research that could impact their operations and strategic planning. This is an opportunity to identify potential research partnerships, influence future research directions, and discover new technologies and methodologies that can be integrated into their businesses.

Trade Show

EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITIES

Research and Innovation Master Class 

Full-Day Programme

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RESEARCH CONFERENCE OUTCOMES

Enhanced Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange: The conference will create a collaborative environment for stakeholders, including SETAs, academics, employers, and professional practitioners, to exchange insights on leveraging digital disruption and adapting to the future of work in the wholesale and retail sector.

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THE RESEARCH CONFERENCE

The world of work is changing fast, driven by digital disruption like nothing we’ve seen before. As professionals in the wholesale and retail sector, we know that now is the time to adapt and innovate. The 2026 W&RSETA Research Conference is your chance to come together with industry leaders, academics, policymakers, and practitioners to figure out how to navigate these changes effectively. This conference is about sharing cutting-edge research, swapping ideas, and developing strategies to embrace the future of work. With the theme 'Embracing Digital Disruption and the Future of Work: Charting a Course for Success in the Wholesale and Retail Sector,' we’ll explore the significant trends reshaping our industry. You’ll engage in discussions and gain insights from sessions led by experts who understand the intersection of technology, workforce transformation, and business strategy. Whether we’re unpacking the impact of automation, AI, and machine learning or tackling the challenges of reskilling and digital upskilling, this conference will equip you with the knowledge and tools to thrive in this ever-changing landscape. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to connect with your peers, collaborate on innovative solutions, and play a part in shaping the future of our sector. Join us as we chart a course for success, using digital transformation to build resilient, agile, and forward-thinking organisations ready to meet tomorrow's workforce demands. The future of work isn’t just about keeping up—it’s about leading the way.

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Conference presentations
from Day 1 and Day 2

You can now access the Conference presentations from Day 1 and Day 2 of the 2024 W&RSETA Research Conference. Thank you to all the presenters for sharing their valuable insights!

OUR SPEAKERS

Day 1 : Master Class( Research Conference)

Mr Tom Mkhwanazi

W&RSETA - CEO

Ms Lindiwe Nhlapo CA (SA)

W&RSETA - CFO

Dr. Deborah Machard

Executive Strategic Planning, Performance and Evaluation (SPPE) at W&RSETA

Prof. Arthur G.O. Mutambara

Director and Full Professor
Institute for the Future of Knowledge
University of Johannesburg

Prof. Ryk Lues

Director: Centre for Applied Food Sustainability and Biotechnology-CUT
Chair Holder: CUT-W&RSETA Research Leadership Chair in Food Safety Culture and Sustainability

Prof. Pius Adewale Owolawi

Professor and Head of the Department of Computer Systems Engineering at Tshwane University of Technology

Prof. Dr. Thomas Dobbelstein

Head of the department of digital business management at Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University

Prof. Victor Virimai Mugobo

Professor of Marketing at the University of the Western Cape (UWC)

Dr. Semona Pillay

Lecturer and W&RSETA Leadership Chair College of Business & Economics University of Johannesburg

Dr. Netshakhuma Nkholedzeni

Postdoctoral Researcher

Dr. Terence Hermanus

Acting-Head of Department for Retail Business Management at CPUT

Dr. Beate Stiehler-Mulder

Adjunct Professor at UBI Business School

Ms Joyce Mxinwa

Marketing Professional
University of Johannesburg

Mr Baphile Duba

Business Strategist
Chairman - Mind Newtrition

Mr Norman Mafuratidze

Marketing Researcher & Lecturer College of Business & Economics University of Johannesburg

Mr Boesman Petrus Makae

Manager for Partnerships, Linkages, and the Office of the Principal at Motheo TVET College

Mr Nhlanhla Dimba

Accounting Officer at Mthashana TVET College

Ms. Ridwana Ibrahim

Marketing Researcher and Senior Marketing Tutor at the University of Johannesburg

OUR SPEAKERS

Day 2 : Main events( Research conference)
W&RSETA Board Chairperson

Mr Reginald Sibiya

W&RSETA Board Chairperson

W&RSETA - CEO

Mr Tom Mkhwanazi

W&RSETA - CEO

W&RSETA - COO

Mr Sipho Shoba

W&RSETA - COO

W&RSETA - ICT Executive

Mr Barnabas Masekwameng

W&RSETA - ICT Executive

Deputy Director-General (DDG): Statistical Support and Informatics 
Stats SA

Mr Morongwa Calvin Molongoana

Deputy Director-General (DDG): Statistical Support and Informatics
Stats SA

Deputy Director-General: Skills Development Branch, Department of Higher Education and Training

Mr Zukile Christopher Mosheshe Mvalo

Deputy Director-General: Skills Development Branch, Department of Higher Education and Training

CEO - (Namibia Training Authority)

Mr Erick Fundula Nenghwanya

CEO - (Namibia Training Authority)

Black Business council - CEO

Kganki Matabane

Black Business council - CEO

Associate Professor and Head of Department: Marketing, Retail Business & Sport Management at the Vaal University of Technology


Prof. Nobukhosi Dlodlo

Associate Professor and Head of Department: Marketing, Retail Business & Sport Management at the Vaal University of Technology

Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT)

Prof. Hesta Friedrich-Nel

Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT)

CEO and Founder of Tribe Africa Advisory

Dr. Rutendo Hwindingwi PhD, MSc, Exec. Dip.,DBG

CEO and Founder of Tribe Africa Advisory

Director and Accounting Officer at KZN CET College

Dr BSV Mthethwa

Director and Accounting Officer at KZN CET College

Strategic Product Manager in the Automotive Industry.
College of Business & Economics 
University of Johannesburg

Ms Jade Turner

Strategic Product Manager in the Automotive Industry.
College of Business & Economics
University of Johannesburg

Senior Manager 4IR at MICT SETA

Ms Gugu Sema

Senior Manager 4IR at MICT SETA

Human Resource and Training General Manager at Matus

Thulile Mahlutshana

Human Resource and Training General Manager at Matus

Chief Media and Advertising Strategist

Mr Zimasa “Mooshtaffa” Vabaza

Chief Media and Advertising Strategist

Head of Marketplace -takealot.com

Mr Yaeesh Moosa

Head of Marketplace -takealot.com

General Manager - Clicks Group Distribution Centre in KwaZulu-Natal

Mr Khulekani KK Mkhize

General Manager - Clicks Group Distribution Centre in KwaZulu-Natal

Human Capital & Transformation Director
Bidfood Corporate

Mr Sivaan Marie

Human Capital & Transformation Director
Bidfood Corporate

Deputy Secretary General, SACPO

Mr Tshepo Jeffrey Ngcobo

Deputy Secretary General, SACPO

National Training Manager- Chipkins Purato

Mr Richard Kuppan

National Training Manager- Chipkins Purato

Skills Development facilitator at Massmart Wholesale ( Makro and Masscash)

Ms Gail Malada

Skills Development facilitator at Massmart Wholesale ( Makro and Masscash)

Trade unionist and Director of Research at the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU)

Mr Simon Eppel

Trade unionist and Director of Research at the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU)

W&RSETA 2024 MASTERCLASS RESEARCH CONFERENCE STUDENT ESSAY COMPETITION FOR GRADE 09, 10 AND 11 LEARNERS

The Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA) is excited to announce the 2024 Masterclass Research Conference Student Essay Competition, designed specifically for Grade 09, 10 and 11 learners. This competition is a unique opportunity for young minds to engage with the ever-evolving wholesale and retail sector, a field at the forefront of technological innovation and economic change.

We challenge you to critically examine how emerging technologies and industry trends are shaping the future of retail. We encourage you to explore the challenges posed by e-commerce and automation, propose innovative solutions, and identify the key skills needed for success in this dynamic industry. Your insights could help illuminate future career paths and highlight the skills that will be in demand in the years to come.

COMPETITION DETAILS

  • Who Can Enter: Grade 09,10, and 11 learners in Gauteng.

  • Essay Requirements: Choose one of the topics below and write a 200-300 word essay that reflects your understanding and original ideas.

ESSAY TOPICS 

  • Emerging Technologies in Wholesale and Retail: How is the 4th Industrial Revolution reshaping the future of shopping and work?

  • Preparing for the Future: What skills are essential for success in the wholesale and retail sector?

  • Ethical Considerations of Automation in Wholesale and Retail: Balancing technological efficiency with the value of human labor.

  • Career Opportunities in the Dynamic Wholesale and Retail Sector

  • The Impact of Eommerce on the Wholesale and Retail Sector

Submission Deadline: 20 September 2024

Prizes: Great Prizes to be won

This is your chance to contribute to the conversation on the future of retail while showcasing your analytical and writing skills. We look forward to reading your insightful essays! Do not miss this exciting opportunity to make your voice heard and potentially shape the future of the wholesale and retail sector!

How to Submit: Submit your essay in PDF format to Gmulaudzi@wrseta.org.za or Tmukondeleli@wrseta.org.za

EVALUATION CRITERIA

  • Your essay will be judged based on the following:

  • Relevance: How well does your essay address the chosen topic?

  • Clarity and Coherence: Is your essay logically organized, with a clear flow of ideas?

  • Adherence to Word Count: Does your essay stay within the 200-300 word limit

OUR PARTNERS 

conference venue

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Heaton Lane Longlake 20 Modderfontein Lethabong Sandton 
1609
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