The campus, widely recognised for its commitment towards the vesting of entrepreneurship as a viable career choice for graduates, is on the verge of announcing the winner of the 2017 rendition of the popular Student Business Competition.
The competition, hosted by the bhive Enterprise Development Centre (EDC), will see the campus’s top 10 start-up entrepreneurs battle it out on 6 October for the title of Top Entrepreneur.
Herewith a roundup of the top ten finalists and their respective entrepreneurial ventures:
- Clifford Letuka
Clifford, a first-year BCom economics and risk management student, is working on an innovative smartphone application (app) that will help people in navigating the Avalon Cemetery in Soweto. The cemetery – one of the largest in South Africa – holds 300 000 graves and according to Clifford it is not easy to find your way around the cemetery without clear directions. The number of burials taking place simultaneously furthermore contributes toward the challenge. The app, aptly known as the Funeral Director App, represents Clifford’s first entrepreneurial venture.
- Katleho Macala
Katleho is a self-confessed foodie and according to this second-year BCom financial accounting student, the increase in food prices (especially that of fresh vegetables), is putting a serious damper on his budget. In an effort to address this problem, he is proposing to start an organic hydroponic food garden on campus. Hydroponic gardening, is by definition a method of growing plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution. Hydroponics does not use soil, instead the root system is supported using an inert medium such as perlite, clay pellets, peat moss, or vermiculite.
- Leelind Billett
Leelind’s business idea is all about providing shoppers with an innovative visual experience when visiting a shopping mall. As such, he came up with a business idea of making shop front spaces more alluring by introducing digital and interactive media. Leelind is a first-year BCom economics and international trade student.
- Rami Mahlasi
Rami, a postgraduate student in education, is passionate about empowering young adults and as such it comes as no surprise that his business venture focuses on the pedagogical process. Having worked in the financial sector, Rami is of the opinion that the youth can benefit from financial literacy programmes. He subsequently designed a tailor-made financial literacy programme to help university students become more financial savvy.
- Rorisang Tshwane
As a first-year student in BCom economics and international trade, Rorisang has her sights set on business. Her business idea involves the upcycling of old denim clothing items and turning them into custom made handbags. This way, according to Rorisang, you never have to part with your favourite pair of jeans.
- Simangele Katsande
For Simangele, who just completed her BA communication degree, entrepreneurship offers an opportunity to become a job creator – opposed to being a jobseeker. In her business proposal, Simangele pitched the idea to vest herself as a mediator between students and potential landlords and by doing so, making the process of finding external accommodation easier on all parties involved.
- Thato Moeng
The Muffineers (Pty) Ltd needs no formal introduction on the campus. It is the brainchild of Thato, Mohapi Motaung and Tshepiso Maimane. Thato and his team bake muffins and other treats and sell it to staff and students. Having only received a stipend of R300 a month, he could not buy groceries and as such had to find a way to supplement his income. Thato is studying towards a BCom economics and risk management degree. He is currently in his final year of study.
- Thys van der Walt
Third-year BCom entrepreneurship and business management student, Thys, is committed towards modernising the way traditional farming practices are being applied. His business competition pitch proposes the development of vertical farms using an aquaponics approach. According to Thys promoting sustainable farming practices is important and technology is available to innovate the way farming is done.
- Tlotliso Thaane
As a first-year student in BCom economics and international trade, Tlotliso has a bright and exciting career ahead of him. His entry, the ‘Bodybrella’, represents a unique umbrella design that will protect pedestrians from getting soaked in the rain. He foresees that this venture will create jobs for unemployed women with sewing skills in the community.
- Vanessa Dhladhla
Recycling and upcycling are more than just current trends – it represents viable solutions not only for environmental management but also for skills development. Vanessa, a second-year BA public management and governance student, is transforming old tyres, wood and metal into trendy furniture.
For more information visit the bhive EDC Facebook Page.
