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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!
Meet our Councillor Ryland Fisher - media expert, political commentator, art lover
2016-07-13
Ryland Fisher
Photo: Johan Roux
With more than 30 years’ experience in the media industry as former editor of the Cape Times and New Age, as well as assistant editor of the Sunday Times, and thanks to a profound understanding of the political situation in South Africa, Ryland Fisher was an obvious choice to serve on the Council of the University of the Free State.
Racial issues and diversity
He was born and bred in Cape Town, and studied Journalism at Rhodes University before the political situation in South Africa interrupted his studies. Despite this, Ryland has made a deep impression on the academy. Among others, he presented lectures on racial issues and diversity at the University of Cape Town, the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism in Johannesburg, Emory University in Atlanta, and Ohio University.
Author and editor
Ryland has published two books, Race in 2007 and Making the Media Work for You in 2002, and was editor of the Official Opus on Nelson Mandela.
He was elected to the UFS Council in 2015. Ryland believes that his particular background and understanding of the media industry, as well as race and diversity issues, will make a valuable contribution to the Council.
Politics, media, and entrepreneurship
"I have proven experience in politics, the media, and entrepreneurship. I often lecture on media and social transformation. I believe this offers me a unique view that could benefit Council," he says.
Ryland has a particular enthusiasm for the arts, and is executive chairman of the Cape Town Festival. He has been married for over 30 years, and his three daughters lie close to his heart.