For Southern Nazarene University (SNU) alumnus Skhumbuzo Mbuyisa, entrepreneurship is more than a business discipline. It is a powerful tool for economic development, inclusion, and long-term growth. With more than 15 years of experience working with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), Skhumbuzo has dedicated his career to helping entrepreneurs transform ideas into sustainable impact.
A graduate of SNU’s Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, Skhumbuzo completed his degree online in December of 2019. Today, he serves as Senior Manager of Business Incubation at the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO), a government agency mandated to support and grow SMEs across Eswatini, a country in southern Africa. In this executive role, he leads national business incubation efforts and oversees SEDCO estates throughout Eswatini. His work is critical, directly contributing to economic resilience and job creation.
Skhumbuzo’s professional journey reflects his dedication to entrepreneurship, innovation, and capacity building (the strengthening of the skills, abilities, resources, and systems of groups to improve their performance, effectiveness, and sustainability in achieving goals). Before joining SEDCO, he held several leadership roles that strengthened his experience and expertise in economic development and startup support. His experience includes serving as Project Manager for the Palms for Life Fund, where he managed the Eswatini country office and coordinated high-level government and funding relationships. He also worked as Field Manager for Small Business Training and Development at Southern African Nazarene University (SANU), where he designed and implemented job-creation programs through satellite business training centers.
Earlier in his career, Skhumbuzo served as a Business Advisor at TechnoServe, where he led seed capital initiatives and capacity-building projects to strengthen early-stage enterprises. Throughout his career, he has developed a reputation for designing, planning, executing, and evaluating entrepreneurship programs that address real-world business challenges.
“I’ve spent my career working closely with startups and SMEs,” he said. “My passion has always been about helping entrepreneurs identify opportunities, solve problems, and build businesses that can grow and create meaningful impact.”
Already deeply involved in the entrepreneurship community, Skhumbuzo saw earning an MBA as a strategic next step toward greater leadership responsibility and broader influence.
“An MBA is a valuable degree for career advancement and leadership development,” he explained. “I was looking for a program that would equip me with the skills lead teams, manage complex projects, and navigate challenging business environments.”
SNU’s MBA program strengthened Skhumbuzo’s strategic thinking, enabling him to balance immediate operational demands with long-term growth planning. It also reinforced the analytical and decision-making skills essential for senior management roles. Many roles like this now prefer, or even strongly prefer, an MBA degree.
“For me, the MBA wasn’t just about credentials, “ Skhumbuzo said. “It was about gaining the ability to analyze complex situations, develop clear strategies, and execute them effectively.”
As a Christian university, Southern Nazarene University offered an environment that aligned closely with Skhumbuzo’s personal values. He appreciated SNU’s intentional integration of faith, learning, and leadership, a development. This approach shaped both his professional and personal growth.
“SNU is a place where you don’t have to separate your faith from your career,” he shared. “Faith and learning go hand in hand, and integrity and servant leadership are embedded throughout the curriculum.”
He also valued the sense of community fostered through SNU’s cohort model, small group, and mentoring relationships. The community aspect is especially important for working professionals who are balancing academic, career, and personal responsibilities.
“The support from faculty and fellow students creates a real sense of belonging,” he said. “You’re not just earning a degree–you’re growing in wisdom, resilience, and purpose.”
Earning his MBA contributed directly to Skhumbuzo’s career advancement. The degree was a prerequisite for both leading the Eswatini country office for the Palms of Life Fund and for his current executive role at SEDCO.
“The MBA significantly strengthened my leadership and management skills,” he said. “It gave me the confidence and competence to lead teams, make strategic decisions, and contribute at a higher level.”
Skhumbuzo works hard to advocate for inclusive entrepreneurship and developing strong innovation ecosystems. His work helps SMEs not only to survive but thrive, building sustainable paths to growth that support communities across Eswatini.
Reflecting on his experience at SNU, Skhumbuzo believes the university prepares students for more than career success.
“Students graduate ready for the real world,” he said. “You leave grounded in your identity, prepared to lead with integrity, and equipped to navigate the complexities of adult life.”
For Skhumbuzo Mbuyisa, the combination of professional expertise, faith-informed learning, and servant leadership skills honed through SNU’s Master of Business Administration program continues to shape a career dedicated to supporting and developing entrepreneurs.