Three North-West University (NWU) innovators have earned a place in the highly competitive Emerging30 Innovators Programme, an initiative led by the Young African Entrepreneurship Institute (YAEI). Their journey began during the 2024 Youth Innovation Challenge, held as part of the YAEI & ABSA Entrepreneurship Week on the Potchefstroom Campus.
This challenge provided a platform for young entrepreneurs to pitch their groundbreaking ideas, ultimately paving the way for their participation in the prestigious 12-month incubation programme.
The Emerging30 Innovators Programme is designed to equip young businesspersons with critical business skills, strategic mentorship, and essential resources to transform their ideas into sustainable ventures.
Innovators shaping the future
Ntando Nceka, who was a final-year BA Public Governance student majoring in Public Administration when he participated in the challenge, pitched his innovative solution, BOOKSMART. This is an online platform that simplifies the process of securing student accommodation, acting as both a “finder” for students and a “feeder” for landlords.
“The app connects students with suitable accommodation options while simultaneously offering landlords a streamlined platform to market and manage their properties,” says Nceka. “Being recognised as one of the top 30 innovators has validated my solution and reinforced my commitment to addressing this challenge.”
Martin Maupa, a second-year BCom Economic Sciences and International Trade student, is at the forefront of revolutionising maintenance management with his venture, Cerrar Solutions. His idea aims to modernise outdated maintenance systems and eliminate prolonged service delays.
“The inspiration for Cerrar Solutions came from my experience as a maintenance artisan trainee in the mining industry,” explains Maupa. “I noticed how inefficiencies in maintenance processes led to extended downtime for mining equipment and infrastructure repairs. Cerrar Solutions leverages technology to ensure quicker reporting, scheduling and resolution of maintenance issues.”
Faith Matilo, who pursued a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Management in 2024, is redefining learning and development through Bright Spark Media. This firm creates customised training programmes and educational content tailored for students, corporate organisations and schools.
“We bridge traditional learning methods with modern media-driven solutions that enhance knowledge retention and promote active learning,” says Matilo. “Our approach makes education more engaging, accessible and impactful across different learning environments.”
Business growth and innovation
The Emerging30 Innovators Programme is not just about individual success, it also fosters economic development by empowering young entrepreneurs to drive change in their respective industries.
Programme representative Nomthandazo Shabangu expressed excitement about the impact of such initiatives.
“The fact that NWU students excel in this space is a testament to their potential and the effectiveness of platforms like the Youth Innovation Challenge in nurturing entrepreneurship.”
Looking ahead, the selected entrepreneurs are eager to maximise the opportunities presented by the incubation programme. “I am excited to refine my business model, enhance operational processes and develop scalable solutions,” says Matilo.
Nceka echoes similar enthusiasm: “I look forward to building valuable relationships with stakeholders in my industry and gaining deeper insights into business development.”
Maupa adds: “My goal is to leverage the skills and knowledge from the programme to secure vendor numbers with three targeted mines. This step is crucial for establishing long-term partnerships, enhancing our credibility, and positioning Cerrar Solutions as a trusted service provider in the public and mining sectors.”
With their eager entrepreneurial drive and the support of the Emerging30 Innovators Programme, these NWU students are well on their way to making a lasting impact in their industries and beyond.
Martin Maupa
Faith Matilo
Ntando Nceka
