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03 October 2024
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Story Ansie Barnard
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Photo Supplied
From left to right: Londeka Mkhwanazi, Semither Mkhize, Salima van Schalkwyk, Slindokuhle Ndlovu, Asanda Mpinga, Mantombi Molefe, Ntombinkulu Khumalo, Mosebjadi Chauke and Thembinkosi Mkhwanazi.
The Amrut Foundation, in partnership with the University of the Free State (UFS), successfully hosted its Inaugural Innovathon at the UFS Qwaqwa Campus. This competition is designed to identify and support innovative products and services that not only generate profit but also contribute to the public good, with a strong emphasis on ethical business practices. Through this collaboration, students gain national exposure for their businesses and receive support to create sustainable social enterprises.
Five teams of student social entrepreneurs from the Qwaqwa campus were shortlisted to participate in the regional finals. Their selection was based on ventures that adhered to a social entrepreneurship model and demonstrated plans for long-term profitability and sustainability.
During the Innovathon, a panel of judges from the UFS, the Amrut Foundation, and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) selected two outstanding teams to represent the UFS at the national finals, which will take place in October. The winning ventures, Biofly-Pro and Root Rescue were each awarded R20,000 to further develop and expand their initiatives.
Hemang Desai, Executive Director of the Amrut Foundation, expressed his enthusiasm for the event: "Amrut is proud to co-host the Free State leg of the inaugural Innovation Challenge with the UFS. Supporting students with entrepreneurial ambitions that align with societal care is one of our key focus areas."
Dr Grey Magaiza, Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director for the Centre for Gender and Africa Studies at the UFS, highlighted the importance of social entrepreneurship: “Social entrepreneurship is a collaborative effort towards creating sustainable and ethical business processes. The two winning projects embody these principles, and we look forward to their continued growth. In line with our Vision 130, social entrepreneurship can serve as a critical lever for university-community engagement.”
Congratulations to Biofly-Pro and Root Rescue on their well-deserved achievements!
Renowned conductor Arnold Bosman commemorated
2010-02-15
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Pictured, from the left, are: Willem Bosman jr., Prof. Nicol Viljoen and his wife, Prof. Martina Viljoen, Mrs Bosman, Mrs Jansen, Prof. Jansen and Dr Bosman.
Photo: Dr Hubertus Bargenda |
The special commemorative concert in honour of renowned conductor and pianist, Arnold Bosman, who died at the age of 47 in Italy five years ago, recently took place in the Anglican Cathedral in Bloemfontein. Bosman, previously from Bloemfontein and a former learner of Grey College, died from a brain tumour. This special event was requested by Dr Willem Bosman, his father, who approached Prof. Jonathan Jansen, Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS), and the UFS Department of Music to commemorate his son’s premature death. Dr Bosman stated that he would like to donate his son’s musical inheritance to the UFS. The catalogue of sheet music to be donated to the UFS was officially handed over to Prof. Jansen by Dr Bosman’s son and only inheritor, Willem Bosman jr.