A third-year Mechanical Engineering student at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Mr Lusanda Ndlovu is looking forward to being among the five DUT student entrepreneurs who will be competing in the finale of the global Alliance of Guangzhou International Sister-City Universities (GISU) Urban Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition from 30 October 2025 to 31 October 2025.
DUT through the Technology, Transfer and Innovation unit, in collaboration with the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is expected to make history by being the first university in Africa to host this prestigious competition which will feature student entrepreneurs from 28 universities that are based in 23 different countries.
Ndlovu, who is passionate about innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, is the founder of Innovative Mechanical Engineering Solutions (IMES), a student-driven initiative that promotes creativity and entrepreneurship within the engineering department. He is also the director of Lomeon Greenscapes Pty Ltd, a landscaping and property maintenance company. His vision is to use engineering to develop technologies that address real-world environmental challenges and improve communities’ quality of life.
“Being selected as a finalist is a truly humbling and inspiring experience. It feels rewarding to see our hard work and innovative thinking recognised on such a global platform. It motivates me to continue pushing boundaries and finding sustainable engineering solutions that can make a real impact in urban communities,” shared Ndlovu.
Giving insight on his business Ndlovu said Lomeon Greenscapes Pty Ltd was founded in 2024 with a focus on providing high-quality, affordable landscaping and property maintenance services. He indicated that they specialise in lawn care, tree pruning, roof cleaning, and pavement installation. Over time, he aims to expand his business to include environmentally friendly innovations such as automated litter-picking robots and smart irrigation systems. His vision is to see his business become a leading green-tech company that creates jobs for young people while promoting sustainable urban living.
“The GISU competition challenged participants to propose innovative engineering solutions addressing urban challenges such as housing, waste management, and infrastructure. My team developed a robotic litter picker designed to improve waste collection efficiency in informal and urban areas. The experience has been enriching, it allowed me to collaborate with like-minded innovators, learn from international mentors, and refine my entrepreneurial and technical skills,” shared Ndlovu.
If he wins, he hopes to gain access to funding, mentorship, and partnerships that will help commercialise their robotic litter picker project. More importantly, Ndlovu wants to use the competition to inspire other young engineers to use their skills to solve real community challenges and contribute to South Africa’s sustainable future.
“This competition perfectly aligns with my studies in Mechanical Engineering and my passion for entrepreneurship. It allows me to apply my engineering knowledge to solve practical environmental problems while developing essential business and leadership skills. It embodies DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy of producing adaptive graduates who are not just job seekers but innovative problem solvers,” added Ndlovu.
Going forward, Ndlovu aspires to develop the robotic litter picker into a fully functional prototype and scale Lomeon Greenscapes across South Africa, and continue empowering other young innovators through IMES. He also aims to pursue research in sustainable engineering and robotics to contribute to cleaner, smarter urban environments.
He expressed his gratitude to DUT, the Mechanical Engineering Department, and the GISU organisers for believing in young innovators like him.
“This journey has shown me that with dedication and teamwork, we can create impactful solutions that shape a sustainable future for our communities,” concluded Ndlovu.
Sharing her thoughts was Dr Pinkie Ntola, Interim Director of Technology, Transfer and Innovation at DUT who indicated that this competition will offer a platform to enhance the brilliance of student innovators and entrepreneurs who are aiming to solve some of the world’s most urgent urban challenges.
“This competition is more than just a showcase, it is a platform for our student innovators and entrepreneurs to apply their creativity, research, and passion to real-world urban challenges. It connects them with global peers, fosters cross-cultural collaboration, and exposes them to international best practices. Through this experience, they are not only representing our institution but also proving that our young innovators have the ideas and drive to shape sustainable cities of the future. We wish them every success as they enter the finals,” she said.
Pictured: Lusanda Ndlovu.
Simangele Zuma
