A student entrepreneur from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) will represent the institution at the eighth Alliance of Guangzhou International Sister-City Universities (GISU) Urban Entrepreneurship and Innovation Finals Competition 2026, hoping to build on DUT’s success in last year’s competition.
DUT hosted the seventh edition of the competition in October 2025, marking the first time the event was held in Africa. Two DUT student entrepreneurs earned accolades in the Start-Up Teams category. Tiffany Mokoteli, founder of Tiffany Mokoteli Enterprise, won a Silver Award, while Hlengiwe Ngubane, founder of Project X, received a Bronze Award.
This year, DUT will be represented by Mr Thokozani Buthelezi, founder of Myco-Feeds. He is incubated under the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
The competition will take place on Thursday, 22 October, and Friday, 23 October 2026, hosted by Guangzhou University in China. The event will be held in person and online via Zoom, from 09:00 to 16:50 Beijing time.
Buthelezi’s enterprise, Myco-Feeds, focuses on converting agricultural waste into oyster and button mushrooms. He will compete in the Start-Up Teams category against representatives from institutions including Stellenbosch University, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou Medical University, UWE Bristol and Al Akhawayn University.
Ms Nontokozo Ngcobo, Manager of the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, highlighted the importance of participation in global platforms such as the GISU competition, saying they help strengthen the university’s international profile and showcase its entrepreneurial capabilities.
“It validates what DUT stands for, which is being recognised as one of the leading universities when it comes to entrepreneurship and innovation, especially the universities of technology,” said Ms Ngcobo.
She added that participation also supports DUT’s ambition to strengthen its entrepreneurial culture, while exposing students to international best practices in entrepreneurship. This aligns with the University’s ENVISION2030 strategy and its commitment to producing adaptive graduates.
“The unique opportunity this competition offers to our students is collaboration with students from other countries,” Ms Ngcobo said.
Pictured: Student entrepreneur, Mr Thokozani Buthelezi, founder of Myco-Feeds.
Samkelo Mtshali
