The annual Enactus National Exposition, a premier event for student entrepreneurs, has once again showcased the immense creativity and enthusiasm of its participants. This vital platform for learning, engagement and collaboration highlights how student-led projects and enterprises drive progress through entrepreneurial action.
The event was held in Sandton in July, and brought together over 700 youth, academic staff, top business executives and alumni for informative and inspirational sessions. The University of the Western Cape emerged as this year’s National Champions, impressing with their two innovative digital solutions – marking the first time digital service solutions have won the competition.
Ford South Africa will once again by sponsoring the Enactus National Champions to represent the country at the Enactus World Cup, which takes place in October this year in Astana, Kazakhstan. This prestigious event will bring together 33 Enactus National Champions from around the world to compete for the ultimate accolade of being named the Enactus World Champions.
Along with the announcement of the overall winning team at the Enactus National Exposition, three new teams were selected for the current cycle of the Enactus Ford College Community Challenge (Ford C3) – a signature educational programme of Ford Philanthropy (formerly the Ford Motor Company Fund). Enactus Ford C3 fosters innovative solutions among university students to address critical community needs while empowering individuals and promoting social mobility.
While all three teams will receive grants from Ford Philanthropy to implement their student-led projects, the University of Zululand earned the top prize and a representative from the winning university will be joining the Enactus National Champions at the 2024 World Cup event in Kazakhstan – also sponsored by Ford South Africa.
“We are thrilled to be sponsoring these students to attend the World Cup in Kazakhstan. Based on the outstanding projects presented at the Exposition, we are confident that they will represent us admirably on the global stage, showcasing their creativity and commitment to building sustainable communities,” said Neale Hill, President of Ford Motor Company, Africa.
“From this year’s event, it is abundantly clear that our nation is brimming with talent. The projects developed through this initiative will positively impact the lives of many South Africans facing daily hardships. Student entrepreneurs play a vital role in shaping our future workforce, economy, and societal progress,” Hill said.
“By nurturing their ideas and providing them with the necessary knowledge and tools, we empower the next generation of business leaders and innovators. I’m personally inspired by their projects, as they demonstrate how innovative thinking can create practical solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives,” Hill added.
2024 Enactus National Champions
The University of the Western Cape team’s innovative digital solutions brought new ideas and concepts to the Enactus competition this year. The team’s Webmax initiative aims to bridge the digital skills gap for young individuals and empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs), helping youth become skilled freelancers, providing employment opportunities and supporting SMEs in enhancing their digital presence.
They also developed LenoKids, an EdTech startup focused on improving literacy levels among children aged five to 13. Using a gamified WhatsApp chatbot, LenoKids offers personalised learning experiences that adapt to each child’s level of understanding, making education engaging and accessible.
Both projects developed by the University of the Western Cape Enactus team have achieved significant recognition during the past months through participation in various competitions in Switzerland and Bangkok.
New Enactus Ford C3 teams
The new group of finalists for Cycle 11 of the Enactus Ford College Community Challenge presented inspiring projects which will have a positive impact on our communities.
“Feedback gathered during the Ford C3 virtual final round of selections clearly demonstrated the remarkable passion and commitment these young students have for making a difference in their communities,” Hill said. “We are delighted to be sponsoring a representative from this year’s top Ford C3 team to accompany the National Champions attending the Enactus World Cup later this year. Engaging and interacting with students from around the world and sharing ideas for community empowerment will further inspire their creativity and help create a better, more sustainable world.”
The University of Zululand was announced as the Enactus Ford C3 winner for its project, AL Winery. This initiative addresses food waste by transforming overripe bananas into a valuable and sustainable non-alcoholic beverage product. A grant of US$5 000 will be granted to the team to aid in the growth and development of their business.
Second prize was awarded to the University of Mpumalanga for its project, Charcool Climate, which assists informal traders and street vendors in keeping their perishable goods cool through the development of “Zero Cooling Chambers”. The team is set to receive a US$3 000 grant to enhance and expand their business operations.
Third prize went to the Durban University of Technology for its project, RollTech Adaptation. This inspiring concept exemplifies how innovative thinking can significantly improve the lives of individuals with mobility challenges by enhancing wheelchairs with sustainable power generation technology to assist with propulsion. The team will receive a grant of US$1 000 to further their business.
In addition to South Africa, the Enactus Ford College Community Challenge supports student-led initiatives in Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Brazil, the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. Together, the Enactus teams share the vision of creating sustainable and thriving communities worldwide.
