Third Installment of Inspiring Impact Challenge Showcases Social Entrepreneurs

Third Installment of Inspiring Impact Challenge Showcases Social Entrepreneurs

UKZN recently hosted the third installment of the Inspiring Impact Challenge, a competition aimed at showcasing the social entrepreneurial ventures of staff, students and alumni who are making a considerable impact in their communities.

The competition, which is aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development goals, saw eight contestants chosen from hundreds of entrants, battle it out with a round of elevator pitch presentations to a panel of esteemed judges made up of experts from the banking, government, insurance, gas and oil industries as well as academia and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.

The Executive Director for Corporate Relations, Ms Normah Zondo, expressed her delight at witnessing the remarkable initiatives showcased over the past three years of the Challenge. She commended the contestants for their brilliance and resilience.

Zondo also extended her gratitude to the judges for their critical role in evaluating the high-calibre presentations with fairness and integrity, stating, ‘Your role has been crucial in ensuring that every voice was heard and every idea was given the recognition it deserved.’

Winners were awarded prize money of up to R25 000, grant funding and business mentorship opportunities, made possible by partner organisations Standard Bank, Vopak, the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, UKZN’s Student Governance and Leadership Development (SGLD) and the University’s Student Services Division.

First-prize winner, Mr Thami Khanyi who owns and runs a commercial farm, Eksutheni African Farms was in utter disbelief when his name was called. Hailing from Ladysmith, this UKZN Agricultural Honours student sells fresh produce to neighbouring schools, tuck shops and residences while educating them on subsistence farming methods required to implement the “One Home, One Garden” project.

Khanyi who was a nervous wreck during his presentation, received raving reviews from the judges who encouraged him to be more confident in himself and his enterprise. Having also won R5 000 in the Special Sustainability Award, he plans to acquire more land and expand his venture. Khanyi thanked his grandfather for sowing the love of farming in him from a young age.

Alumnus and social worker, Ms Phindile Khumalo who was runner up for her initiative Sinomcebo Foundation tugged at the heart strings of the panelists as she shared how the venture was inspired by her personal experience of counselling adolescents and teenagers born with HIV. Khumalo, who conducted her master’s studies on the mental health effects this can have on the young adults, said that her organisation focuses on delivering age appropriate disclosure methods, so that each child has the information and support required to better handle his/her illness.

Founded in 2016, Sinomcebo Foundation is made up of social workers and volunteers in the areas of Eshowe, Ulundi and Nongoma in northern KwaZulu-Natal, who provide group counselling, academic support and basic nutritional foods to children.

Khumalo said that being a part of the Challenge had been life-changing. Having also received R5 000 in the Special Inspiring Impact Award, she said she hoped that being a part of the competition would create awareness of her organisation and the work it does, ‘as we are all UKZN students and alumni who just want to make a difference in the world.’

Other winners included Mr Vusi Kweyama of Vuka Africa Tours who walked away with R10 000 for third place; and Ms Remofilwe Tlhabugwane of Trupower Essence and Mr Morris Khumalo of AloeGro AgriSolutions who bagged R5 000 each, having won the Potential for Growth and Innovation Special Awards, respectively.

Mr Kwazini Zulu, implementing partner and Managing Director of enterprise development agency Kulisha Consulting, thanked the sponsors and partners for making the event possible. He acknowledged the Corporate Relations Division, particularly Zondo for investing in the dream of the Inspiring Impact Challenge years ago.

Mr Mduduzi Zenda, KZN Relations Manager for annual partner, Standard Bank said they were excited to be part of such an impactful initiative. ‘We love the stories and businesses presented today, and although not all of you are winners, we encourage you to go out there and make a further impact by supporting your communities.’

Dean of Student Services, Professor Percy Sebeng remarked that the competition shows that UKZN is not only producing academically inclined students, but holistic individuals who make a positive contribution to society.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini