By Bukamuso Sebata

Rhodes University hosted the 2023 Eastern Cape Regional Intervarsity Pitch Competition on 17 and 18 October at the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature, which included studentrepreneurs from the University of Fort Hare (UFH), Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and Walter Sisulu University (WSU).

This annual pitch competition for student entrepreneurs is funded through the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), supported by Universities South Africa (USAf), and is held in partnership with Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and SAB Foundation.

The goals of EDHE is to equip students for economic participation through entrepreneurial activities, with an emphasis on student women, support academics and support professionals to develop entrepreneurship through teaching, learning and research across disciplines, and support universities as entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystems.

The 2023 Intervarsity competition received 1266 entries from 26 public universities across the country. Just over 800 participants were accepted in the internal rounds within their universities. A maximum of 10 students represented their university at the regional rounds while 24 finalists from the six regions will compete to walk away with prize money to the value of R100 000 and the coveted title of Studentrepreneur of the Year 2023 at the national level.

The competition has five categories:

Category 1 – New Business Ideas for students who are still considering entrepreneurship but have promising business ideas.

Category 2 – Existing Businesses focusing on Tech for technology-based businesses.

Category 3 – Existing Businesses focusing on Social Impact for social entrepreneurs.

Category 4 – Existing Businesses that are general.

Category 5 – Research-based business, which is a new category that is designed to encourage the commercialisation of research by both students and university staff. The new category seeks to foster innovation and support the development of research-based startups.

The Rhodes University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnership Dr Nomakwezi Mzilikazi gave the welcoming speech, praising the participants for coming up with ideas that have the potential to transform communities in the Eastern Cape.

The first day focused on the first three categories. In Category 1, there were eight contestants:

• Maake Lebea (Rhodes University)
• Andrea Ephraim (Rhodes University)
• Bandile Yolwa (UFH)
• Sakhe Morosi (UFH)
• Kgauhelo Tlhone (NMU)
• Elihle Stali (NMU), the founder of Specs for Blind, a company that will create glasses that function with AirPods to help visually impaired people function more independently. They won in this category but will not be going to the finals in Gauteng as the competition for this category ends in the regionals.
• Nikilitha Matshisela (WSU)
• Philasande Nkatana (WSU)

 

In Category 2, there were six participants:

• Daniel Okoko (UFH)
• Mihle Gosani (UFH)
• Koketso Mosena (NMU)
• Andile Mtshemla (NMU), the founder of Ultra Pay, will represent the Eastern Cape in Gauteng for this category.
• Yolokazi Mbewana (WSU)
• Phumelela Prusent (WSU)

 

Category 3 had five contestants:

• Zamamiya Majola (Rhodes University)
• Mncedi Makaula (Rhodes University)
• Pretty Mqolweni (UFH), founder of Pretty Design, will represent the Eastern Cape in the finals.
• Bongani Moyo (UFH)
• Keitumetse Sesing (NMU)

 

The second day of the pitching competition focused on Categories 4 and 5.

Category 4 had eight contestants:

• Paula Maseko (Rhodes University)
• Vuyolethu Maweni (Rhodes University)
• Promise Songcata (Rhodes University)
• Tulani Qwesha (UFH)
• Nelisa Buhlungu (UFH)
• Kelly Damsons (NMU)
• Mthokozisi Njapha (NMU)
• Ncebo Ntsabo (WSU), the founder of Qombe Maize which aims to educate people about maize farming and help eradicate poverty and unemployment in the Eastern Cape. They won this round and will be going to the finals.

 

Category 5 had three contestants:

• Promise Songcata (Rhodes University) founded a company called Pro’technologies which produces laboratory equipment at a fair price. He will be representing Eastern Cape in the finals in this category.
• Vuyo Masabae (UFH)
• Chuma Memela (UFH)