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Walter Sisulu University's student entrepreneurs, confident from their recent victory at the On-campus Hult Prize competition in February 2024, are set to represent the university at Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya for a prestigious social entrepreneurship competition.
The Hult Prize annually challenges tertiary students to present groundbreaking ideas aimed at addressing critical social issues spanning food security, water access, energy, and education. Named in honor of Bertil Hult, the prize has earned the moniker, "Nobel Prize for students."
This journey marks a significant moment for entrepreneurship at WSU, marking the first occasion the university's teams compete against counterparts from different countries, and should they progress, they will compete globally for the desired one-million-dollar prize.
In a battle of innovation, two teams comprising three students each, VeriDate and Asake, have conceived remarkable solutions. Asake devised reusable period underwear, while VeriDate developed an online scanner capable of detecting the original expiry dates on household goods.
These ideas stemmed from a pressing need observed within societies, where many women battled with acquiring sanitary towels, and incidents of unexplained deaths and illnesses from expired food purchased from local shops.
Speaking on behalf of team VeriDate, Sinawo Siqebengu noted their team's motivation stemmed from reports last year detailing sicknesses and deaths attributed to expired products from Spaza shops.
"We decided to invent this online application to scan household products because many people in our societies purchase most of their products from Spaza shops," she said.
Siqebengu emphasized that the application would assist consumers in determining whether a product is fit for consumption.
Meanwhile, Unathi Mashaba, representing Asake, described their reusable period pantyliner made from organic waste as highly absorbent.
"We felt compelled to create it because many girls suffer from period-related issues, and we wanted to reduce the use of disposable pads, which have a negative environmental impact," Mashaba stated, highlighting the cost efficiency and sustainability of their product.
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Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Rushiella Songca, connected virtually, while Student Affairs Executive Director, Dr. Irene Patience Mohasoa, delivered messages of support.
Expressing appreciation for the Student Affairs' efforts, Professor Songca encouraged the teams to remain focused on their vision and give their best effort, and an EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Coordinator, Khanyisile Blaai for driving these initiatives.
“I am hoping will see more of these competitions because they embrace our vision 2030, and I believe if we give the students a chance to thrive and tools to do so they will thrive,” she added.
Echoing Prof Songca's sentiments, Dr. Mohasoa emphasized the alignment of the project with WSU's Vision 2030 and expressed confidence in the teams' ability to succeed.
“We wish our teams travel mercies and believe that they will represent us well and trusting God they will come different and bring the trophy home,” she said.
She added that the department would look into a proposal to include entrepreneurship in all faculties and monitor the implementation.
The Acting Director for Student Governance Leadership & Development, Nohako-Mtiki praised the institution's resilience, likening it to an eagle that rises above challenges.
She highlighted the initiatives' potential to benefit not only WSU's community, but also neighboring societies, emphasizing the caliber of WSU students' thinking beyond academics.
“This is a competition of ideas that would open doors for many, and also have a positive impact not only for the community of WSU but also neighboring societies,” she said.
She stressed the initiative’s potential to benefit not only WSU's community, but also neighboring societies, emphasizing the caliber of WSU students' thinking beyond academics.
WSU Director: Special Advisor Academic Affairs Dr. Phyllis Kedibone Chembe, applauded the teams and urged them to distinguish themselves apart from their peers.
WSU Institutional Student Representative Council (ISRC) Secretary, Sihle Mdingi, urged the teams to uphold WSU's brand and seize every opportunity to make a mark globally while embracing cultural learning experiences.
The teams are scheduled to depart on, 5 June 2024, and return on Monday afternoon the 10th.
By Yolanda Palezweni
