The Durban University of Technology (DUT) in partnership with the Alliance of Guangzhou International Sister-City Universities (GISU), hosted the Opening Ceremony and Networking Breakfast of the grand finale of the global GISU Urban Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, at the Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani Hotel in Durban on Thursday, 30 October 2025.
DUT, through the Technology, Transfer and Innovation unit, in collaboration with the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, has made history by being the first university in Africa to host this prestigious competition, under the theme: Further Promoting Sustainable Urban Development.
The Opening Ceremony included esteemed local and international stakeholders, including academic leaders, industry partners and student teams, who gathered to celebrate DUT’s commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and global collaboration. This global competition comprising of students from 28 universities representing 23 different countries, will be held over two days, concluding on Friday, 31 October 2025.
Representing DUT in the competition are five student entrepreneurs namely; Ms Hlengiwe Ngubane, founder of Project X; Ms Tiffany Mokoteli of Tiffany Mokoteli Enterprise; Ms Chumwe Kasanga, owner of Temwiko; Mr Banathi Sihonqo, founder of Infinity Soma Wellness Clinic and Mr Lusanda Ndlovu, founder of Innovative Mechanical Engineering Solutions (IMES). These students are active participants in the university’s dedicated incubation programme at the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Ms Kasanga of Temwiko will be presenting later today (Thursday, 30 October 2025) under the Concept Teams Presentations, where she will be competing against student entrepreneurs and innovators from across the world. The remaining four DUT student entrepreneurs will be presenting on Friday, 31 October 2025, under the Start-Up Teams Presentations category, competing for big prizes to help take their businesses to new heights and showcase their solutions to urban challenges.
Facilitating the Opening Ceremony and Networking Breakfast was Mr Zwakele Ngubane, Director of the Advancement and Alumni Relations at DUT. He thanked GISU for affording DUT this once in a lifetime opportunity to host the seventh annual GISU Urban Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.
In his welcome address, Mr Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT, acknowledged the DUT Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Thandwa Mthembu for his visionary leadership and unwavering support of all entrepreneurial activities across the institution, which has ensured that DUT embarks on this current upward trajectory towards becoming fully entrepreneurial. He also acknowledged the DUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement (RIE), Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, another visionary leader, who is at the forefront of leading and ensuring that critical aspects such as research and innovation thrive in the DUT entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“This year’s theme; “Further Promoting Sustainable Urban Development” is not only timely but necessary, as our cities, including Durban, are experiencing challenges related to climate change, inequality, migration, unemployment and technology disruptions and yet our cities are also hubs of hope, centres of innovation and engines of economic change. It is important that we remember that it is only through innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship that we can change our societies for the better because it is innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, that are the most powerful tools that can be used to drive a sustainable, inclusive and resilient urban future,” shared Mr Khan as he warmly welcomed all the distinguished guests.
Mr Steve Farr, the Alliance Secretariat Executive Director presenting the 2025 Chairman’s Award to Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, DVC: RIE at DUT.
Mr Steve Farr, the Alliance Secretariat Executive Director, provided insight on the GISU Industry, Business Network and Opportunities. He presented the 2025 Chairman’s Award to DUT, which is a proud member of this Alliance. The award was in recognition of DUT’s outstanding contributions in leadership and support of the Alliance.
Delivering the stakeholder remarks were Dr Simphiwe Buthelezi of the Moses Kotane Research Institute and Mr Yolan Nagoor, from the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry. They commended DUT for promoting a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation among young people.
Mr Bheki Zulu, the innobiz DUT Board member and Professor Thomas Dobbelstein, the Chairperson of the DUT Business School, both delivered messages of support, sharing their excitement in being part of DUT’s momentous occasion.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Nomcebo Mthombeni, the Interim Director of the Research and Postgraduate Support at DUT, emphasised the significance of entrepreneurs being innovative to bring about impactful societal change. “We know all of the challenges and we really need entrepreneurs. As universities, I don’t think that we can afford to create graduates that go out and look for work, this initiative is about us creating entrepreneurs,” Dr Mthombeni said.
She highlighted the importance of entrepreneurs innovating business that would create solutions for the regions that they were in, citing Nigerian born billionaire entrepreneur Aliko Dangote, who built an empire through focusing on the African continent’s fundamental needs such as cement, sugar, salt and energy. “His story is really about strategic mastery and scale. He understood Africa’s infrastructure, industrialisation gaps that could become his business advantage, he didn’t really chase the global markets but he focused on Africa, providing what can build vast wealth but solving our continental problems,” Dr Mthombeni said.
Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo, innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Manager, said that the University’s participation in the competition had been productive and brimming with lessons. “For that we are grateful as it has only served to benefit our student entrepreneurs. Our student entrepreneurs have been participating in GISU competition for the past six years. Notably, we have enjoyed great success in the competition through Mr. Luyanda Majozi and his urban streetwear venture, Enigmatic Cotton, that saw him securing the first runner-up prize in the Start-Up category at the Guangzhou International Sister-Cities Universities (GISU) 2024 Global Start-Up competition in China,” Ms Ngcobo said.
Furthermore, she said participation in such globally recognised platforms was incredibly important for local SMMEs as it provides a platform to showcase local innovations and solutions to a wider audience, opening doors to international collaborations, partnerships and investment opportunities. “We hope that through this year’s GISU Entrepreneurship and Innovation finals competition, we can all leverage new knowledge and solutions for societal impact, as encouraged by our University’s blueprint, ENVISION2030.” Ms. Ngcobo said.
Additionally, Ms Ngcobo said that beyond just being a contest, all innovators should view this wonderful platform provided by the Alliance as a launchpad for sustainable ideas, entrepreneurial growth and global collaboration. “I hope that this year’s finals competition will empower participants to shape the future of urban living through innovation, creativity and purpose-driven business,” Ms Ngcobo concluded.
Pictured: The DUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola with the distinguished guests at the opening ceremony.
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile.
Simangele Zuma/Samkelo Mtshali
