The University of Pretoria (UP) recently hosted the final pitch day of the Innovation Challenge, where three winners were chosen for their innovations that seek to tackle real-world sustainability issues: Eco-Polish, Owa Jewellers and Rhythm Syndicates.

Held at the Function Hall on Hatfield Campus, the event spotlighted the finalists whose inventions were selected from a pool of applications submitted since the call was opened in April this year.

Students from member universities of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Youth SA were invited to submit their best ideas for the challenge, which offers mentorship and capacity-building opportunities; promotes cooperation between government, business and academic stakeholders; and provides young innovators with the tools they need to put their ideas into practice. The SDSN Youth SA establishes connections with bright young minds in South Africa who are addressing today’s urgent issues through innovative mechanisms while working towards a more sustainable world in accordance with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the aspirations outlined in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

In order to improve their “pitch preparedness” and polish their concepts for viability and sustainability, the shortlisted teams participated in an incubation process in the form of masterclasses. The journey culminated in October with the final pitch day event, when winners were announced and received cash to expedite the scalability and execution of their solutions. 

CEO of the National Youth Development Agency Ndumiso Kubheka praised the Innovation Challenge as a youth-led national development event.

“It demonstrates that South Africa does not lack talented youth but rather has a responsibility to support youth innovation with systemic interventions that will transform promising innovations into thriving national capabilities.”

The Eco-Polish team won first place and walked away with R30 000. By substituting conventional surface polish products with a sustainable, multipurpose invention made from plastic waste, they hope to reduce plastic pollution and turn plastic waste into value in the circular economy.

“It means a lot to us to win this competition,” Sandile Mzimba of Eco-Polish said. “It encourages us to keep moving forward, and validates the effort we’ve made to turn plastic trash into value. We intend to use the financial award to fortify Eco-Polish by acquiring small-scale production equipment, enhancing our packaging and branding, and safeguarding our intellectual property to preserve and expand the company sustainably.” 

Mzimba added that they are incredibly grateful to UP and the organisers for developing such a powerful platform for young creativity. 

In second place was Owa Jewellers, which makes jewellery with a social purpose. Jewellery is connected to an app that enables caregivers to track the whereabouts of people in need of care, such as dementia patients.

“We are incredibly honoured and excited to have been selected as winners of the SDSN Youth South Africa Innovation Challenge,” Kabelo Makhetha said. “We plan to use the R20 000 cash prize to advance our OWA CareLink Safety Jewellery project.”

Rhythmic Syndicates, which came third and won a cash prize of R15 000, seeks to revitalise and preserve cultural identity among indigenous adolescents in urban and diverse contexts. They utilise digital media, storytelling and musical performances to do so. Rhythmic Syndicates intends to grow cultural fusion initiatives, create a digital music archive and improve community outreach events that use contemporary and indigenous music to promote diversity.

“We are filled with unadulterated happiness, thankfulness and inspiration to keep utilising music and storytelling as instruments for inclusivity and change on campus and in larger communities,” Xolilie Ngwatyu said.