Durban University Of Technology 3rd year Accounting student and entrepreneur incubated under the DUT Midlands Entrepreneurship Centre and Student Desk (Centre) Nkanyiso Dlamini was ecstatic to receive the news of his achievement in the 2020 Moses Kotane Innovation Awards.
The awards are aimed at recognising and celebrating South African individuals, organisations in Kwazulu-Natal with highly innovative products and services that address specific social and or economic challenges.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement (RIE), Professor Sibusiso Moyo was excited to know that students are still being innovative regardless of the challenges that we are facing and also congratulated Dlamini. “It is encouraging to know that students are still being innovative despite everything that is happening worldwide. It is good news for the university to know that it produces students that can adapt to current situations, including COVID19” she said.
Ruth Concept Interior Design products are made of recycled materials which is an innovative way of dealing with global warming while creating employment and leaving our environment clean and healthy.
The awards were held virtually on the 8th of June 2020 on Facebook and YouTube. Dlamini’s company Ruth Concepts Interior Design was nominated under the Outstanding Innovation in manufacturing category along with ten others and came in third place.
Dlamini entered this Competition in November 2019 after seeing it on Facebook and hearing about it from the Centre. He highlighted that he saw these awards as an opportunity for him to showcase his innovative products. He went on to say it was a cheerful experience and he felt honoured and humbled to have been part of this exciting competition.
Dlamini explained that this award meant a lot for his company as it shows that his business is growing and improving, moreover this award will open great opportunities for the company. Dlamini encouraged young entrepreneurs to grab every opportunity with both hands. “Don’t wait until you have all the answers, whatever that you want to do, do it now. One of the things I preach a lot about is getting started early” he said.
Sindisiwe Ndlovu
