The Durban University of Technology (DUT), through its entrepreneurship nerve centre, the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, successfully launched the inaugural Mr Price Foundation x EDHE Waste Innovation Challenge at the Indumiso Campus in Pietermaritzburg on Monday, 16 February 2026.
The groundbreaking competition will see students, researchers and innovators from across South Africa’s 26 public universities compete to develop the most innovative and socially impactful solutions using waste materials.
Participation is open to students and recent graduates aged 16 to 34 from South Africa’s public universities. Up to 400 qualifying participants will receive training in waste-to-value business models, circular economy principles, product development and pitching. From this cohort, 20 teams will be selected for an intensive bootcamp, culminating in presentations at the EDHE National Finals later in the year.
Brought about through the collaborative efforts of the Mr Price Foundation, Universities South Africa and the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education, the competition will see the country’s best innovative minds compete for a total prize pool of R245,000. Five winning teams will share the prize money, with R100,000 awarded to first place, R75,000 to second, R40,000 to third, R20,000 to fourth and R10,000 to fifth.
The victory will not only be financial, but will also provide mentorship, business development support, technical and sustainability training, and national exposure to partners and potential investors.
Mr Octavious Phukubye, Executive Director of the Mr Price Foundation, emphasised the importance of providing such platforms to young people, stating that it is the youth who will shape South Africa’s future. He added that universities, colleges and technical institutions are custodians of the human capital required to fully develop the waste innovation sector. Mr Phukubye noted that the challenge aims to promote a circular economy, create opportunities to reuse materials across value chains and build sustainable businesses.
In her message of support, Dr Phethiwe Matutu, Chief Executive Officer of Universities South Africa, said: “This waste innovation challenge encourages young people to develop solutions for real-life problems in South Africa and globally. With the challenges of waste, particularly plastic pollution in our seas, rivers and communities, initiatives such as this are long overdue.”
Dr Pinkie Ntola, Technology Transfer and Innovation Director at DUT, described hosting the launch as an honour, highlighting the significance of tackling waste, one of the world’s major environmental challenges.
“As DUT, we are proud to host this national launch because innovation, sustainability and engagement are central to our research agenda. Through our researchers, technology stations, innovation hubs and entrepreneurial support structures, we are committed to advancing solutions that contribute to the circular economy and environmental resilience,” said Dr Ntola.
Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo, Manager of the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said that hosting the launch recognised DUT’s ongoing work in green innovation, applied research and sustainable waste practices in KwaZulu-Natal.
“One of the innobiz Centre’s objectives, as outlined in DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, is the continuous prioritisation of environmental sustainability, with a focus on green ecosystems and sustainable energy practices, achieved through our university’s distinctive education which fosters ecological consciousness,” added Ms Ngcobo.
A student entrepreneur currently pursuing her Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration at DUT, Ms Yenziwe Shabalala, shared her excitement at attending the launch and her interest in participating in the challenge. She is the founder of Sweet Green Holdings, which combines a coffee shop and a farm.
“Sweet Green Holdings links our farm to our coffee shop. The launch was informative and exactly what we needed. We are passionate about green sustainability and preserving our planet. I am excited about the competition, not only for the possibility of winning but also for learning how to grow our business through innovation and social impact,” said Ms Shabalala.
She added that her coffee shop uses a lot of plastic packaging, and through this competition she hopes to explore ideas to improve environmental impact. She is aiming to be among the Top 20 to present her idea and believes her experience in agriculture and hospitality gives her a strong chance to succeed.
Pictured: Distinguished guests at the launch of the Mr Price Foundation x EDHE Waste Innovation Challenge
Photographer: Khulasande Tshayile
Samkelo Mtshali/Simangele Zuma
