Challenge Showcases Social Entrepreneurs on a Mission to Create Economic Impact

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), in partnership with enterprise development agency Kulisha Consulting, hosted the fifth edition of the Inspiring Impact Challenge – a flagship initiative that positions the University as a driver of innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal impact.

The competition is directly aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UKZN’s Institutional Strategy, which emphasises excellence in research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and meaningful engagement with society. By showcasing the entrepreneurial ventures of students and alumni, the Challenge provides a platform to address critical issues such as poverty, inequality, and youth unemployment – while building sustainable solutions that impact local communities and beyond.

From hundreds of applications, 11 finalists were selected to pitch their ventures before a diverse panel of judges drawn from banking, government, academia, agriculture, industry, and social enterprises. The competition was supported by strategic partners including Standard Bank, VoPak, the AmaZulu FC Foundation, Ikhwezi Bus Services and UKZN’s Student Governance and Leadership Development department. Prizes awarded to winners were worth a total of R 65 000.

The Executive Director of Corporate Relations, Ms Normah Zondo, emphasised that the Inspiring Impact Challenge unfolded against the backdrop of South Africa’s pressing youth unemployment crisis. She commended the contestants for presenting initiatives that directly addressed poverty and inequality, thereby showcasing both the remarkable talent and the transformative possibilities that exist within the nation.

Highlighting the broader significance of the Challenge in today’s socio-economic landscape, Zondo remarked: “The Inspiring Impact Challenge is about harnessing the potential we see in our students and alumni. It provides them with a platform to demonstrate how they can impact their communities, innovate, and drive transformation in society.

Their projects resonate strongly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, reminding us that our challenges are part of a global movement towards building a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. This Challenge also reinforces our institutional commitment to excellence in entrepreneurship, innovation, and societal impact, which remain at the heart of our Institutional Strategy.”

First prize of R20 000 went to Mr Warren Mkhize, who owns MycoPro, a company that turns agricultural waste, such as sawdust and grass, into exotic gourmet oyster mushrooms, as an alternative source of protein. Mkhize said he was redirected into entrepreneurship after struggling to secure employment as an environmental management graduate.

Mkhize, who also won R5 000 in the Sustainability Award Category, said being a part of the Challenge had given him the assurance to know that he was on the right path in terms of business.

With no move yet to diversify in his product offerings, due to the low input and high output rates, Mkhize said he looked forward to using his winnings in addressing cash flow problems and purchasing more lab equipment to make sure his business was producing better products, running efficiently and continuing to be sustainable.

Multi-award-winning media personality, Ms Sinethemba Nene – who was runner-up in the challenge for her initiative @Lokshin Bite, which promotes local township eateries through social media platforms – had judges listening intently to all she had to say, with her high energy levels and charismatic personality.

Originally from Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, Nene moved to Durban recently to reach wider audiences. She said she was proud to have stuck it out in the competition, after initially wanting to quit due to its intensity. “I’m so happy that I didn’t give up. The programme was demanding with submissions almost every week, and balancing that with my personal life, side hustles, and employment was a major feat, but there was no way I could have let an opportunity like that pass me by, especially because it was free.”

She plans to use her prize money of R15 000 to hire more staff and invest in branded equipment and merchandise to elevate the business to new heights.

Third was Mr Lungelo Majozi, owner of MANGEH, an entity focused on serving healthy and nutritious meals in Umlazi. Excited to have competed and done well against so many deserving competitors, Majozi shared a comprehensive budget breakdown of what he planned to do with his winnings of R10 000, showcasing how the skills learnt during the duration of the programme had not gone to waste.

Other winners, who all received R5 000, included Ms Queen Shezi – for her mental health initiative in the Inspiring Impact Award Category, Queen Shezi Foundation; Mr Luyanda Mchunu – for his digital prize comparison grocery platform in the Innovation Award Category, Groceify, and Mr Nzuzo Dlamini – for his educational support aid for Medical students, known as MedBuddy, in the Potential for Growth Award Category.

Mr Kwazini Zulu, implementing partner and Managing Director of Kulisha Consulting, said it was incredible that the programme was already in its fifth year, after being piloted in 2021 in response to the needs of society. Zulu highlighted the various initiatives and enterprises that have come through the Challenge and how being a part of the stories shared had been most rewarding.

He explained how contestants went through a rigorous development programme to capacitate them for the competition, and thanked the partners, sponsors and Institution for the support.

Zulu said the platform provided good exposure for participants embarking on doing great things in the future and shared the total investment put into the programme. “To date, the Inspiring Impact Challenge has invested more than R2 million in its social entrepreneurship programme, which is a significant contribution that the Institution has made, through its belief in its students and alumni, as well as the generous partnership of our sponsors.”

Director at the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), Mr Sicelo Simelane, said he was proud of the contestants’ contributions to employment creation and economic participation in South Africa.

KwaZulu-Natal Relations Manager for Standard Bank, Mr Mduduzi Zenda, said he was honoured to be a part of such an important initiative. Speaking on behalf of all the Inspiring Impact Challenge partners, he said it was inspiring to see contestants showcasing their products and businesses.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini