World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on the 26th of April 2022. With the theme: International Property (IP) and Youth: Innovation for a Better Future, the eThekwini Municipality’s Business Support, Tourism, Markets and Agribusiness Unit (BSTMU), in partnership with the Durban University of Technology (DUT) TTI Department,
the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Durban Film Office (DFO), Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), hosted a World Intellectual Property Day Workshop at the Durban Botanic Gardens and online via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, 26 April 2022.
There were 120 people in attendance at the workshop and 43 virtual attendees via Microsoft teams. These included Elizabeth Nhliziyo, eThekwini Municipality, DUT’s Director of Technology, Transfer and Innovation, Professor Keolebogile Motaung, Mr S. Phungula from the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SEDA’s S. Gumede, staff from the eThekwini Municipality, High School learners from Nwabi Secondary School, Zwelinjani Secondary School and Mavimbela Secondary School, DUT staff, Programme Directors, Mr Zwakele Ngubane, Ms Linda Lindani, Guest speakers, Ms Suvina Singh: Director: Intellectual Property and Commercialisation, UKZN InQubate, Ms Amanda Lotheringen from the (CIPC), Senior Manager: Copyright and IP Enforcement, Chief Executive Officer of the Rajen Reddy Foundation, Mr Nadim Aziz, Ms Udi Pillay from Adams and Adams, Ms Tshimangadzo Modibela from Afriqinnov8, Mr Siphiwe Zuma- Another Solutions and Samkelo Dingi from the Durban Film Office (DFO).
The event brought together various speakers who gave more background on the significance of intellectual property rights, including patents, copyright, trademarks, and designs.
One of the speakers, Ms Lotheringen from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), gave insight to CIPC, the meaning of Intellectual Property (IP) rights, domains of IP, trademarks, patents, inventor assistance programmes, the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) and the Technology and Innovation Support Centres (TISCs).
Explaining about intellectual property and its impact on youth was Ms Pillay. She spoke on the fundamentals of patenting and what cannot be patented such as discoveries, scientific theories and mathematical methods; literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works and aesthetic creations; animals and plants, as well as medical methods of treating humans or animals. She also spoke on the meaning and examples of copyrights and trademarks.
Ms Modibela from Afriqinnov8 delved into the innovation and intellectual property-discussing what matters. She relayed that everything begins with an idea. She further discussed that IP can be protected through statutory protection such as patents, copyright, and trademarks.
An exciting element to the workshop was the Entrepreneur Presentation Competition which was based on a case study, presented by Ms Modibela from Afriqinnov8.
Various entrepreneurs took to the podium to present on their understanding of the case study scenario that was given. After much deliberation from the judges, the top three winners were announced who received several prizes from various sponsors.
DUT’s Director of Technology, Transfer and Innovation, Professor Keolebogile Motaung explained that the judges had a difficult task of deciding the top three winners. She made mention if whether educators are really teaching IP correctly at the university and having an event like this gives all educators an introspection of where the student should be in terms of understanding copyright and patency.
Prof Motaung then announced the winners and prizes.
The first Prize Winner: Thuthukani Dube is from ECO Family House.
A one-year membership with the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry.;
Marketing Material and Development Programmes from SEDA;
A gift bag from DFO;
A one- year Incubation Programme from DUT;
A Finance for Non Finance Managers Course for three days from UKZN;
Business Support valued at R10 000 from BSTMU.
2nd Prize Winner: Ntobeko Mafu is from Madame Clucks A lot.
A one- year membership with Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry;
A gift bag from DFO;
A one-year Incubation Programme from DUT;
Business Support valued at R5 000 from BSTMU.
3rd Prize Winner: Sabelo Dladla is from TD Solutions.
A one-year membership with Durban Chamber of Commerce;
A gift bag from DFO;
A one-year Incubation Programme from DUT;
Business Support valued at R3 000 from BSTMU.
Giving the vote of thanks was Prof Motaung who said that an event like this would not have happened without learners availing themselves for the event.
She further thanked the student entrepreneurs, speakers, DUT’s Audio Visual team, sponsor such as the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
“Thank you so much for sponsoring this event and we are looking forward for 2023 again, that they also going to keep on sponsoring us. The RR Foundation, I want to thank them so much again for sponsoring this event. The SEDAs, thank you so much for the sponsors, I can say that on behalf of those students that were pitching it really means a lot to them as well. The Durban Film office, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the eThekwini Municipality. This would not have happened without Ms Elizabeth Nhliziyo and her team who really worked tirelessly. So, I really want to thank you so much. I also want to thank the Durban University of Technology and innobiz.”
Pictured: The top three winners of the Entrepreneur Presentation Competition.
Waheeda Peters
