DYNAMIC DUO BAG R25000 AS THEIR AI CENTRED FARMING INTERVENTION IMPRESSES AT NATIONAL COMPETITION

Two WSU affiliates—a graduate and a current student—have secured a R25,000 endowment at a prestigious national leadership competition for their innovative idea centered on AI and blockchain technology aimed at advancing farming.

WSU IT graduate Philasande Mathafeni and his business partner, third-year Human Resource Management student Thulisiwe Matyobeni, recently qualified as one of the Top 15 Finalists in the MTN ENACTUS Digital Innovation Challenge, held in Johannesburg in June 2025.

Matyobeni, who comes from the rural town of Ngqamakwe in the Eastern Cape, was tasked with developing a solution for a pressing social issue during her final year with WSU ENACTUS. After extensive research, she decided to advocate for fair trade in the farming economic ecosystem.

She then sought the expertise of Mathafeni, leading to the creation of their innovation, the Fair-Trade Blockchain Marketplace. This mobile application addresses a critical gap faced by smallholder and rural farmers, particularly their lack of access to verified, secure, and fairly valued digital marketplaces.

"Using blockchain technology, AI chatbots, and integration with government verification systems, the platform enables farmers to trade their produce, livestock, and agricultural tools safely, ensuring trust and traceability throughout the supply chain," said Mathafeni.

The duo's journey through the competition has been long and challenging, but ultimately fulfilling and enriching, as they navigated multiple rounds before reaching the top 15.

Initially, 173 teams from across the country entered this year's MTN ENACTUS Digital Innovation Challenge, which was narrowed down to 40 during initial judging.

In the Top 40, they had their first opportunity to pitch their idea, which they seized and subsequently qualified for the Top 22.

"We advanced to the Top 22, where R6,000 in cash was invested into our enterprise to support our platform's hosting services. We are currently competing for a spot in the Top 10, which will lead to the Top 5, where a R100,000 implementation grant awaits," Mathafeni added.

After establishing their product, they quickly registered it and filed for a patent with WSU’s Office of Technology Transfer  (OTT) to protect their intellectual property.

Matyobeni concluded, “Our product is currently in the prototype stage. Our ultimate goal is to create a platform that promotes fair trade practices and empowers farmers to achieve fair prices for their products. We hope to scale our platform to reach more farmers and create a positive impact on their livelihoods.”

By Thando Cezula