UCT studentpreneurs lead the way in innovation

South Africa’s student entrepreneurship scene is thriving, with six visionary ventures from the University of Cape Town (UCT) named national finalists in the 2025 Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) Entrepreneurship Intervarsity and ABSA Innovation Challenge. Hosted by the EDHE, these competitions serve as launchpads for scalable, sustainable innovation.

UCT continues to lead in student entrepreneurship, having earned titles such as National Student Entrepreneur of the Year (2019, 2021, 2022) and Entrepreneurial University of the Year. This success is driven by Careers Service within the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHED), in collaboration with UCT’s Entrepreneurship Ecosystem, including faculties, the GSB Solution Space, the Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking Afrika (d-school Afrika), Research & Innovation, and student-led platforms like the UCT Entrepreneurs Society.

“At UCT, we foster an entrepreneurial mindset. Our students are encouraged to think critically, act ethically, and innovate boldly. The EDHE and ABSA platforms give them the visibility and validation they deserve, and we’re proud to walk this journey with them,” said Nadia Waggie, UCT’s entrepreneurship intervarsity coordinator.

Meet UCT’s EDHE Finalists

Now in its seventh year, the intervarsity competition celebrates student-led ventures that merge innovation with impact. This year’s theme, “Entrepreneurship for Sustainability”, inspired solutions to real-world challenges:

• Lesedi Dikhoba (PhD): IWASHCARS – a digital platform connecting car owners with mobile car wash providers, promoting convenience and micro-entrepreneurship.
• Thando Mzimela-Ntuli (BSocSci): UniMark – a one-stop digital hub for student services, empowering over 1.2 million students nationwide.
• Malehu Charlote Mohale (MBChB): Early Bird Testimony Academy – an online tutoring and mentorship platform, offering affordable academic support from top-performing university students.

Accelerating impact

Launched in June 2025, the ABSA Innovation Challenge accelerates student-led solutions to systemic issues, offering over R1 million in prizes. UCT’s finalists include:

• Darryl Nyamayaro (PhD): iDini – a digital platform transforming funeral insurance with policy tracking, artificial intelligence support, and flexible payments.
• Charne Verster & Genesis Team (PGDip Entrepreneurship): SmartSchoolShoes – GPS-enabled, size-adjustable school shoes for children in under-resourced communities.
• Sikozile Ncembu (PhD Chem Eng): A diagnostic platform using SNAP-tag technology for early, affordable cancer detection tailored to African healthcare systems.

Shaping the future

These six changemakers exemplify the power of student-led innovation to address pressing societal challenges. As they head to the EDHE Nationals, they carry the aspirations of communities and institutions striving for transformation.

Follow their journey. Support their vision. Celebrate their impact.