The Durban University of Technology’s (DUT’s) drive is to become an entrepreneurial university, preparing graduates to fill jobs, but to also create jobs, resulting in innovative entrepreneurs who are adaptive to the changes of the world.
One such student entrepreneur who has proved his entrepreneurial prowess is Marco Pretorius, who recently won an award in the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) SA Awards for 2020.
“I was shocked and honoured as this was a real proud moment for me being nominated for an award after starting my innovation journey, as my company and I worked through lockdown,” he said.
He further relayed that also through having to adapt to a ‘new normal’ they were able to develop static functional prosthetics for paediatric amputees using CAD/CAM and additive manufacturing. For him, it was humbling to receive the award as it gave him confirmation that everything would work out as it should and that it does not help to force something as doors open at the right time.
Sharing more on the award itself, Pretorius said its given to Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award formally recognising young people who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of the world’s young people. The programme is sponsored by Junior Chamber International and the award is given by JCI South Africa, to the young men and women who may be nominated in one of ten categories.
He received nominations for the Ten Outstanding Young Persons Award in category 8 and 10, which are for (Medical innovation/ Scientific and/or technological development)
Pretorius also indicated that he was nominated by JCI Durban earlier this year, 2020, before being shortlisted into the top 20 of the most outstanding young South Africans; before public voting when he then got into the Top Ten, and at the national conference of JCI TOYP SA Awards for 2020.
The charismatic Pretorius is presently also in his third year of studying Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics at DUT. His aim is to learn how to clinically be a medical practitioner as well as to manufacture medical devices such as orthotics, prosthetics and other aids of daily living people living with mobility impairments would need. “I am doing my degree to get knowledge and insight into how treatment and rehabilitation can improve people’s lives,” he said.
Speaking more on his journey of entrepreneurship, he said that he had started with his drive to establish something that has major potential to improve the field of orthotics and prosthetics; and to apply for first world medicine with the hopes of creating sustainable treatment protocols and products.
“The entrepreneurship journey started to secure capital and to get us from being a start-up to a fully functioning entity. I embarked on a business called Ocram O&P in March 2020 to provide sustainable medical products with the hope of distribution and rapid reskilling of limited practitioners in Africa,” he said.
Pretorius specified his objective is to also utilise the improvements of 4IR introducing new novel technology to provide affordable sustainable care and to reduce the workload reducing manufacturing times of practitioners by utilising 3D scanning, 3D printing, and 3D design, as well as providing solutions and services.
“I am embarking on the journey as I believe we should be the change and by having the ability to have insight into the field and a spirit of innovation I was convinced that it is worth pursuing,” he said.
For him, in terms of his future entrepreneurial achievement goals, Pretorius said that he plans to set up a design and manufacturing studio where he would be able to Prototype, Develop, and Test Products, providing 3D printing services to the public and industries alike. “I would like to travel across Africa supplying patients with sustainable solutions,” he said.
He further stressed that his journey would not have been possible without the help of DUT’s entrepreneurship office.
“The Entrepreneurship office and Ms Nons Khanyile have been very supportive from the start of guiding and assisting in various aspects to establishing a firm foundation to work from by having their support. I believe that Ocram O&P will be a successful sustainable company focused on improving mobility with Technology and innovation,” he said.
Also, Pretorius added that his future goals were inspired directly by COVID-19 having to learn to work remotely providing more possibilities in various forms. He said that digitalisation has played a role in enhancing his business. “Digitalisation is at the core of our business making way for new possibilities that will increase and improve access to care,” he said.
His advice to future students who wish to become entrepreneurs is
to ensure getting used to wearing multiple hats, and working towards making a difference in some way having the experience of learning from a different perspective, making it worthwhile.
“Being an entrepreneur gives you the freedom to do what you love in the ways you love it working with people meeting and learning from everyone,” he said.
The Centre for Social Entrepreneurship (CSE) Manager Nonhlanhla Khanyile said: “It is always exciting to work with committed and passionate upcoming entrepreneurs on Campus. Marco is one of the students who is persistent and we are learning a lot from the student enterprises as much as we have to be innovative and introduce new ways and infuse new systems in our business model, and this is due to the crazy and vibrant ideas they bring along. Their success is our success, it is an amazing experience to work with such upcoming billionaires.”
Pictured: Marco Pretorius, who recently won an award in the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) SA Awards for 2020.
Waheeda Peters
