Luleka Mkuzo, linking rural & global communities

Luleka Mkuzo, winner of the Fabulous Woman 2018 Award (South Africa), is a community engagement strategist and social entrepreneur using her rural roots to impact her rural community, country and ultimately the world. She spent over 10 years in corporate working in the mining sector where she accumulated vast knowledge from various positions. At the end of 2016 Luleka made a decision to resign and leave the city. She returned to her rural community to focus on driving programmes on the premise of equipping and empowering communities with digital and entrepreneurship skills & founded 'Urglobal'.

Growing up in a rural community I have witnessed how the lack of ICT infrastructure creates unequal access to opportunities for those coming from rural communities. Students struggle to adapt when they get to Universities because they have not been exposed to computers. Majority of students cannot afford to relocate closer to University due to a lack of funds, they end up never having or seeking access to a computer. There are many opportunities that are online if people are equipped and empowered with digital skills they can tap into some of these opportunities connect with the global world outside rural communities, get mentorships and coaching even find collaboration partners.

South Africa has brilliant students who never go anywhere because they cannot access platforms to accelerate their contribution & brilliance. If we want equality for all we have to bridge this huge skills gap that exist between those in rural communities and those around city areas, for that is the essence of equal opportunities.

As with all developed countries in Africa, the access our urban areas have to the world is significantly ahead of what the rural areas have. Even though some work has been done with rural areas in this regard, the work that is still needed is of an enormous magnitude. Because people do not physically see these areas on a daily basis, we often neglect it's imperative need for development. To address these current rural challenges we need to create actual platforms, initiatives & projects that provide practical & dynamic solutions to this problem. Both rural & urban areas house the nation, hence both can & should contribute to the growth of the country and it's economy. Therefore it goes without saying that a country should focus on contributing in rural development & empowerment.

My advice to those starting an entrepreneurial direction is: first understand the problem that you want to see changed & envision the change that you seek. You will have to hold on to the vision and never let circumstances or people make you give up! It will take time to build and sustain a business or an initiative so make sure that you engage with the stakeholders. It’s impossible to change anything worthwhile and long lasting by yourself. Do your research, speak to people, ask for help where you need it. Many people are willing to help us but we never ask.

Our website is: http://www.urglobal.co.za/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luleka.mkuzo

"Whether you are in a city, town or rural community we are all intricately linked together."