Meet the Top 10 finalists of Cell C’s Hangman innovation competition

The top 10 finalists of Cell C’s R1-million innovation competition and reality show, Hangman, have been revealed.

The show which premiered earlier this month on 8 October is hosted by Maps Maponyane and is broadcast on e.tv on Sundays at 11.50am.

The finalists were selected by a panel of judges consisting of: economist Iraj Abedian, billionaire Quinton van der Burgh, Business Leadership South Africa CEO Bonang Mohale, and entrepreneur Connie Mashaba.whittled down from an initial group of 45 contestants.

The Cell C Hangman winner receives a R1-million investment prize

The eventual winner will walk away with a R1-million investment prize.

“It was not an easy job whittling down impressive candidates with fantastic inventions to this final 10. However, any of these finalists could take the top prize, let the challenges begin!” said Quinton van der Burgh in a press release.

Here are the 10 finalists:

Bonex Mwakikunga

Breath-Tech Sensors: Mwakikunga developed a diabetes breathalyser that works through a smartphone. The analyser detects acetone which is a bio marker for diabetes.

Chelsea Anne Hornby

Elle International: The Elle Cup is an easy-to-use inexpensive hypoallergenic, leak-free and chemical-free, reusable menstrual cup.

Christo Rossouw

Rossouwtech: Rossouw invented Lampellent, a mosquito repellent lamp that uses heat to evaporate the insect repellent agent.

Claire Reid

Reel Gardening: Reel Gardening aims to simplify planting food. It is a pre-fertilised, pre-spaced, colour coded seed tape which users simply have to place into the ground and water.

Dean Fegen

SA Polyhammer : The anti-static, low-noise Polyhammer replaces the need for copper and rubber hammers in underground mining. The hammer is made from polymers and comes in different shapes, sizes and colours.

Lebohang Motsoeneng

Motsoeneng Corporate Agency: Motsoeneng developed the I-waiter from an idea she got while working as a waitress at Wimpy in 2014. The I-waiter device attracts a waiter’s attention via a vibrating watch.

Rupert Taljaard

Halt Lock: The Halt Lock is a remote controlled anti-theft and anti-hijacking device that locks the driveshaft of a stolen vehicle.

Sean T Armstrong

STA Healthcare & Pharma Engineering: Armstrong has invented Uni Click, a safety syringe that aims to improve safety, accuracy and precision in medical dosing. The syringe has cylindrical rings that make an audible and physical “click” for each millimeter of medicine injected.

Sello Paul Malinga

Discovery Technology Systems: Malinga’s invention, the Spinetector Suit, is an exoskeleton that lessens injuries on the vertebral column, rib cage and thoracic cavity.

Zithande Mbala

iWipe: Mbala believes her invention “smart toilet paper” will be the next big thing in the hygiene industry. The invention has its origins in a study Mbala carried out on the relationship between the human eye and the anus. Her study found that “the two organs are equally intelligent as far as sensitivity is concerned”.

Featured image (from left to right): Sello Paul Malinga, Sean T Armstrong, Lebohang Motsoeneng, Rupert Taljaard, Claire Reid, Zithande Mbala, Chelsea Anne Hornby, Dean Fegen, Bonex Mwakikunga and Christo Rossouw. (Photo by Lettie Ferreira)