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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!
Record broken at UFS auction
2010-09-06
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Prof. Niel Heideman (Acting Dean: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, UFS) and Ntembeko Isaac Manyashe from BKB with the bull that was sold for R135 000.
Photo: Lize du Plessis
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| A provincial record was recently broken when a remarkable R135 000 was paid for a Sussex bull at the weekly auction of the Lengau Agricultural Development Centre at the University of the Free State (UFS). The bull, called Platdrif Dunlop, was bought by Mr Adri Basson from Vendetta Ranch in Windhoek.
The Sussex breed is one of the oldest breeds in the world. Platdrif Dunlop’s previous owner, Mr Nollie Stofberg from Worcester, has raised the bull since its birth approximately three years ago, after the animal’s potential as a stud bull became clear. Mr Basson also bought some heifers at the auction and they travelled with Platdrif Dunlop to Vendetta Ranch last week.
The weekly auction at the Lengau Agricultural Development Centre is held in collaboration with BKB Louwid. According to Dr Leán van der Westhuizen, Head of the Lengau Agricultural Development Centre, the weekly auctions attract a lot of interest amongst the Bloemfontein agricultural community and anybody is welcome to attend it.
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