Vote for Stellenbosch Network’s Ideas for Change Challenge winner

The inaugural Ideas For Change Challenge organised by the Stellenbosch Network has announced this year’s finalists. 

 Members of the public are encouraged to vote for one of the finalists online 

Out of a number of stellar entries for new business models and process flows aimed at improving the lives of individuals located in Stellenbosch and the surroundings, three finalists have been selected based on their innovative pitch and concept. 

Stellenbosch Network’s Ideas for Change Challenge aims to provide a platform to empower creative, innovative, and scalable ideas that in turn increase accessibility in the remote working sector. 

Hanli Brink, Stellenbosch Network Operations Manager and organiser of this years’ Challenge, explains that this year’s challenge focused on business models that foster and support remote working as the landscape and conditions surrounding the working environment have changed due to Covid-19. 

 “Covid-19 has forced us to relook the way in which we live and work. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Stellenbosch, where traditional models of doing business have needed to adapt to new and innovative ways of operating. This has been a challenge, but by encouraging forward-looking thinking among local people to solve local problems, we can help to ensure that the town is able to sustainably progress far into the future.”

The three finalists, Matjaka Ketsi, Zani Mouton, and Lunga Momoza, stand a chance of being given the winning title and R20 000 in cash.

Dr Leslie van Rooi, the Senior Director for Social Impact & Transformation at Stellenbosch University and judge at this years’ competition comments on this year’s entries. 

It’s fantastic to see that this years’ entrants were very practical, realistic and focussed on the most immediate needs of the town. Although their ideas were in various stages of development, most presented great potential and relevance to Stellenbosch. I highly recommend that all entrants go and speak to the Municipality because even if they don’t win, their idea may still be tested and implemented.”

The finalists 

Matjaka Ketsi

Ketsi developed an idea that aims to provide remove and underprivileged communities with solar-powered learning canteens. These canteens are equipped with interactive learning material that encourages members of the youth to learn about renewable energy. The business model incorporates an added income generation via the sale of solar lamps, chargers, and heaters. The canteens will also offer device charging stations for locals. 

Zani Mouton 

Mouton’s proposal addresses the problem of traffic and parking in Stellenbosch with the creation of a parking and ride-sharing app for the town. The platform or tool will assist users to find available parking spots in Stellenbosch. 

Drivers will be able to pay for their parking via Snapscan or their bank card and users’ accounts will be linked to their vehicle’s number plate. The business model adopts the use of an app to simplify a current issue faced by residents of Stellenbosch. 

Lunga Momoza 

Momoza has proposed the development of Basket, a business-to-business eCommerce platform that supports the growth of small farmers. The platform will connect local farmers to nearby retailers and wholesalers to sell their products too. 

Basket aims to digitize the local supply chains with a transparent, communicative, and connected buying and selling management platform. 

Read more: Initiative launches in Stellenbosch to support local businesses
Read more: New SA tech startup launches virtual healthcare booking app

Featured image:Matjaka Ketsi, finalist (Supplied)