STUDENTPRENEURS
Our Entrepreneurship Intervarsity finalists The purpose of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Entrepreneurship Intervarsity is to identify the top student entrepreneurs at South African public universities, recognise and showcase their businesses, and invite investment into this cohort of student businesses. The annual competition provides opportunities for these entrepreneurs to pitch their innovative business ideas. The EDHE programme is hosting the national round of its annual Entrepreneurship Intervarsity from March to October 2021. The overall winner of the EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity 2021 walks away with prize money to the value of R100 000 and the coveted title of national Studentpreneur of the Year 2021.
Studentpreneurs can submit their ideas or existing businesses in one of 4 categories:
In 2020, three UCT student entrepreneurs participated in the final round of the EDHE Intervarsity National competition. Ndabenhle Ntshangase and Lwanda Shabalala cofounded Airstudent,
which competed in the General Business category. Airstudent reduces the costs of travel for students who are travelling to the same destination at the same time. COVID-19 and the subsequent employment crisis have motivated Ndabenhle to make the employment of unemployed youth a business priority.
Qhawe Bula’s business TAQA
(in the New Business Ideas category) helps bring digital illustrative libraries to life for children in their home language. According to Qhawe, COVID-19 increased the need to digitise exponentially. In the past TAQA would visit schools, but the pandemic created an opportunity to rethink their business strategy. TAQA responded by launching a podcast in nine official languages.
Moeketsi Mashibini was a finalist in the Social Impact business category.
His mission is to address the disparities between learners from marginalised communities and those from more affluent areas. His business Pantsula with a Purpose focuses on helping learners prepare for university.
1:
Business Ideas
2:
Existing Business: Tech
3:
Existing Business: Social Impact
4:
Existing Business: General
CAREERS SERVICE GUIDE 2021 / 101
