UKZN Student Aims to Win EDHE Intervarsity National Trophy

Winner of this year’s Existing Business/Tech category in the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Intervarsity Provincial contest, UKZN Medical student Mr Luyanda Mchunu, is now determined to win the national championships.

The 22-year-old Mchunu says his goal is to win the contest outright and bring the trophy home to KwaZulu-Natal for the first time in EDHE history!

He acknowledged his mother for igniting an entrepreneurial spark in him through her determination in spite of the limited resources she had.

Mchunu says he’s chosen to walk a path that embraces his mother’s dreams of him becoming a physician and healing through medicine and innovating through business. “I can’t thank my mother enough, she’s been incredibly supportive and understands the goals I am working towards.”

Mchunu owns GrocieFy-SA, an online platform that enables users to view food specials from various retailers, helping them save money while alleviating food wastage within the retail sector, a growing problem in South Africa.

“GrocieFy-SA doesn’t sell food, rather it empowers consumers by offering a real-time database of grocery specials and retailer promotions. It stands out by bridging the affordability gap and assisting retailers in clearing stock nearing expiry, thereby reducing food waste in the sector,” he said.

From a base of selling sweets and chips to learners and teachers in primary school he has achieved great entrepreneurial successes including: second runner-up in the Innovation category at UKZN’s Battle of Campuses 2024 Edition; winner of the Amrut Foundation Inaugural Innovation Challenge – a UKZN internal round competition; winner of the Nectors Finance Pitch Battle 2024, hosted in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, and second runner-up in the Standard Bank x TuksNovation Innovation Challenge.

He acknowledged UKZN InQubate for being an entrepreneurial academy that proved to be of great assistance to him. “Through their workshops I’ve gained invaluable skills in design thinking, project management, marketing, business finance, entrepreneurial leadership, and pitching for funding. It all allowed me to participate, grow and refine my business concept into a viable venture.”

Currently in the final development phase of GrocieFy-SA, Mchunu aims to launch the platform locally in KwaZulu-Natal, and then go national, targeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 2 of creating jobs and eradicating poverty as well as improving food access, reducing waste and achieving zero hunger.

Growing up in the small town of Nquthu in KwaZulu-Natal, Mchunu said among his biggest challenges were balancing his studies with his entrepreneurial venture and the lack of mentors within the tech space. However, he has learned to discipline himself in his work routine, develop strong multitasking skills, achieve good time management and become more self-reliant and resourceful.

Mchunu thanked his family, high school teachers and UKZN for their support, encouragement and belief in his dreams.

UKZN Student Entrepreneurship Manager Mr Khutšo Ramontja highlighted how Mchunu had made great strides since achieving in the Battle of Campuses competition, bringing his business concept to fruition.

Ramontja lauded the student for not only focusing on his dreams but also doing his bit to help other UKZN students kickstart their entrepreneurial journeys.

“Luyanda is playing a sterling role in promoting our entrepreneurship initiatives at the Medical School. I am not surprised that he finished tops at the EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Regionals and I wish him every success in the finals,” Ramontja said.

Words: Hlengiwe Khwela

Photograph: Supplied