WSU STUDENTS RETURN WITH HIGH HOPE SFROM KENYA

Despite not winning the entrepreneurship competition in Kenya, Walter Sisulu University (WSU) students remain determined to elevate their business ventures to new heights.

The two WSU teams, consisting of six students, won the On-campus Hult Prize competition in February 2024 and traveled to Kenya last week to represent the institution at Strathmore University in Nairobi for the prestigious social entrepreneurship competition.

The Hult Prize annually challenges tertiary students to present groundbreaking ideas aimed at addressing critical social issues such as food security, water access, energy, and education. Named in honor of Bertil Hult, the prize has earned the moniker "Nobel Prize for students."

WSU’s teams, VeriDate and Àsàké, have developed remarkable solutions. Team Àsàké devised reusable period underwear, while VeriDate created an online scanner capable of detecting the original expiry dates on household goods.

Ready to take their projects to the next level, team Àsàké found the competition to be an eye-opening experience, offering opportunities to build networking connections and lifelong relationships.

Representing the team, Unathi Mashaba shared her excitement about meeting people with shared values and a commitment to make the world a better place.

“It was amazing to meet people who share the same values, which is making the world a better place to live in and who have a keen eye for business,” she said.

Mashaba also spoke about the cultural exchange, saying, “It was a cultural shock to witness how much in common we have with other countries as we got to learn about people’s traditions and experience the world through their eyes.

“Àsàké has gained valuable exposure and recognition on a global scale. We want to commend the people who have supported us in our venture.”

The team plans to scale their international exposure and make an impact on those who share their values.

“We plan to act on promptness, by launching our business by the end of 2024, and start impacting young girls and women who are in need of Àsàké,” she added.

Sharing the same sentiments, Sinawo Siqebengu, founder of VeriDate, described the experience in Kenya as both challenging and exhilarating.

“The level of businesses from the other competitors has pushed us to further advance our business,” she said.

“There is much more outside academics and Mthatha, and as a team, we are looking forward to developing the app to its full functionality. Despite the pressure, it was rewarding to see our hard work paying off, as the institution really went beyond in making sure that we get the full experience,” she added.

Siqebengu emphasized the importance of the connections made during the competition.

“We will forever cherish it. It is because of the institution that we now have connections broadly, not only in Kenya but also in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Nigeria, and the United States, to mention a few of the new friends,” she said.

She further added that the Hult Prize was just the first step to greatness, and the next step is to develop the app from a prototype with the support of the Student Governance Leadership Development unit, the IP/Technology Transfer Office, and CEFRI to secure partnerships.

WSU EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Coordinator Khanyisile Blaai, who accompanied the teams, described the experience of participating in the Hult Prize Competition as incredibly enriching.

“It offered students the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, receive mentorship from industry experts, and gain valuable skills in pitching, problem-solving, and teamwork,” Blaai said.

She highlighted that with 25 countries and 36 teams participating at the 2024 Nairobi Global Hult Prize Summit, the experience has been transformative, empowering students to create positive change through social entrepreneurship.

“I am humbled and honored for the support received from the University to have the two teams, Àsàké and VeriDate, take up space in the global entrepreneurship program for the first time at WSU,” she added.

The journey of the WSU students at the Hult Prize competition in Kenya marks a significant milestone, and their resolve to push forward showcases their commitment to making a positive impact in the world through innovation and entrepreneurship.

By Yolanda Palezweni