A dynamic team of students from the University of the Free State (UFS) has secured first place in the 2025 SDG Challenge South Africa – a prestigious competition that unites students and industry partners in addressing real-world issues aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs). This outstanding achievement celebrates the creativity, collaboration, and strong commitment of UFS students to building a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Hosted by Soapbox South Africa, the SDG Challenge pairs student teams with industry experts to co-design practical solutions to pressing societal needs. Competing against leading institutions – including the University of Pretoria, University of Zululand, University of Johannesburg, the University of the Witwatersrand, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal – the UFS students distinguished themselves with a community-driven, scalable approach.
Partnering with Ivanplats mine, the students developed a holistic solution to reduce food insecurity and promote environmental sustainability in resource-limited communities in Mokopane.
Their innovative project, built around a WhatsApp-based Agrihub, enables agricultural knowledge sharing, market access, and community engagement. The solution included the following:
- A WhatsApp Agrihub platform for real-time agricultural support
- An Implementation Manual for community rollout
- A low-cost irrigation prototype designed for small-scale gardens
- A scalable model for replication in other communities
- A final showcase presentation demonstrating its feasibility and long-term impact
To reduce surplus produce waste and create entrepreneurial opportunities, the team also produced value-added products – including pickled beetroot and carrot preserves – in the UFS food lab.
The Agrihub doubles as a community marketplace where residents can sell both fresh produce and recyclables. A R20 subscription fee supports local facilitators and content creators, promoting sustainability and community ownership.
Their project advances multiple UNSDGs, notably Zero Hunger, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, and Decent Work and Economic Growth.
“This victory is a testament to the calibre of our students and the mentorship they receive,” says Prof JW Swanepoel from the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development. “Their innovative thinking and commitment to real-world impact reflect the values of the University of the Free State.”
The UFS team’s success not only underscores their potential as emerging leaders in sustainability, but it also affirms the university’s growing role in driving development and resilience across African communities.