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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 the Shimlas’ Miss Varsity Cup 2017
2017-04-12
Jadene Jacobs didn’t expect to be
crowned as Shimlas’ Miss Varsity Cup.
Photo: Robin Butler
Her mom motivated her to take part in modelling competitions when she was still in primary school, and Jadene Jacobs has loved it ever since.
The 19-year-old first-year BSc Chemistry and Physics student is excited to represent us at the nationals of the Miss Varsity Cup 2017 on 17 April. Although she never thought she would win the competition, Jadene was recently crowned Shimlas’ Miss Varsity Cup 2017.
Her role model in the industry is the former Miss World, Rolene Strauss, who previously also was a Shimla Miss Varsity Cup. Jadene likes Rolene’s compassion, beauty, and flawlessness.
Jadene, who is from Johannesburg, cannot wait to meet the Miss Varsity Cups from the other universities. “I am mentally prepared for the nationals, and I am ready to give it my all,” she said.
She found out about the competition at Wag-’n-Bietjie, her residence on the Bloemfontein Campus, and didn’t think twice about entering. Jadene is passionate about sport and lives an active lifestyle. She also plays netball in her spare time.
Vote for Jadene (until 17 April 2017).