About Prof.Thea

Thea van der Westhuizen is a multi-award-winning academic and entrepreneur who thrives at the nexus of academia, industry, and community. She is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Management, IT and Governance at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where she combines her love of teaching, research, and social impact.

With over 20 years of international work experience, Thea’s career journey spans corporate business development, educational leadership in the Middle East, and academic innovation in South Africa. This rich and diverse background has shaped her into a dynamic leader known for “bridging worlds” – whether it’s connecting universities with communities or linking theory with practice.

My Journey

Returning to South Africa, Thea pursued a PhD in Leadership Studies (UKZN, completed 2016) to deepen her impact in academia. Her doctoral research on youth entrepreneurship set the stage for SHAPE, the flagship program she would later establish. Since joining UKZN’s faculty in 2013, she has risen through the ranks from lecturer to associate professor, driven by her dedication to educating the next generation of changemakers.

Along this path, she continuously engaged in professional development – from completing UKZN’s higher education teaching certification in 2017 to becoming a Certified Public Relations Practitioner in 2012 – ensuring she remained at the forefront of educational best practices.

Passions & Values

At her core, Prof. van der Westhuizen is passionate about empowering youth and communities. She firmly believes in the potential of young people to spur economic and social development when given the right support. This belief fueled her creation of SHAPE and her involvement in numerous community initiatives. Sustainability and social responsibility are recurring themes in her work – whether it’s promoting marine conservation through Paddle for the Planet or embedding ethical entrepreneurship in her curriculum.

Colleagues and students alike describe her as energetic, innovative, and compassionate. She is always ready to collaborate, evidenced by high-profile partnerships she’s forged with ambassadors, city officials, international academics, and CEOs of companies. These collaborations have not only advanced her projects but also enriched the learning opportunities she can offer her students.

My Background

Born and raised in South Africa, Thea developed an early interest in business and community development. She earned her Master’s in Commerce at North-West University in 2002, focusing on tourism management, and soon applied her knowledge by founding the Garden Route Tourism Academy to uplift local economies. After several years as a young entrepreneur and consultant, she expanded her horizons abroad.

In the late 2000s, Thea held leadership positions in the United Arab Emirates, including Head of Department at an international school and lecturer at the Higher Colleges of Technology, where she gained invaluable cross-cultural experience. During this time she also obtained an executive certificate from Beijing Normal University in China (2016), reflecting her global mindset.

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Books by Prof. Thea

Prof. van der Westhuizen has authored several books that encapsulate her research findings and practical insights on entrepreneurship. These works are aimed at academics, practitioners, and anyone interested in youth and entrepreneurship development.

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