In the face of mounting challenges to food security Stellenbosch Network has taken a bold step to spark change at the grassroots level.
With a resounding response to the #IdeasForChange Food Secure Challenge the community is proving that even small initiatives can make a significant impact.
South Africa, like many African nations, grapples with the critical issue of food security. The developing climate crisis, marked by increased droughts, floods, and extreme temperatures, adds urgency to the need for innovative solutions. Access to nutritious and affordable food remains a challenge for a significant portion of the population, underscoring the importance of addressing this issue at the local level.
The #IdeasForChange Food Secure Challenge draws inspiration from the understanding that while the challenges facing Africa may seem overwhelming, meaningful change can start small, within the confines of the towns and communities where individuals live. The initiative therefore aimed to empower local innovators to create impactful solutions that resonate with the unique context of Stellenbosch.
The call to action resonated strongly with the community, resulting in more than 20 entries received for the challenge. Visionaries from various backgrounds and expertise pooled their creative ideas, showcasing a diverse range of solutions aimed at improving food security in the local community.
The top three finalists, Hein Duvenhage of Arable Grow, Mikhail Accom of Eduponics, and Ayesha Abrahams of Food Trade, gathered last Monday evening (23 November) to present their innovative solutions. The evening was a culmination of months of hard work, dedication and a shared commitment to making a difference.
Duvenhage and Accom both hold degrees in civil engineering from Stellenbosch University (SU), while Abrahams is currently pursuing a PhD in Plant Pathology also at SU.
The event drew a supportive crowd, including fellow innovators, entrepreneurs, students, friends and stakeholders crucial to the development of Stellenbosch.
Gugu Moloi, founder of Bethel Farm and Estate in KwaZulu-Natal and an esteemed business leader, set hearts ablaze with her inspiring talk, emphasising the importance of a founder’s identity in building a successful business. She shared parts of her own journey and underlined the significance of clarity in one’s beliefs and values when building a business.
After a gripping pitch session and intense deliberation, Duvenhage emerged as the winner of the #IdeasForChange Food Secure Challenge, securing the coveted R20 000 prize. Abrahams claimed the second spot, earning R6 000, while Accom secured third place and R4 000.
“Securing first place in the challenge is truly a remarkable achievement,” Duvenhage declared, “providing not only external validation for myself, but also for my amazing team. The financial reward will play a crucial role in expanding our operations, particularly within local primary schools. Drawing inspiration from Gugu’s insightful talk, we understand the significance of not just growing produce ourselves but also empowering others to contribute, amplifying the impact on a larger scale.
Speaking of the calibre of the participants, Hanli Brink of Stellenbosch Network said: “This marks our fifth #IdeasForChange Challenge, and it has truly been a remarkable success! Witnessing the growth of the finalists throughout the process has been incredibly rewarding. We take immense pride in each of them and eagerly anticipate connecting them further within the Stellenbosch Network ecosystem to see their ideas come to life.”
The challenge not only celebrated the winners, but also served as a powerful catalyst for ongoing inspiration within the Stellenbosch community. Attendees remarked on the value of these events, emphasizing their role in fostering entrepreneurial connections and keeping the community engaged and connected.
In echoing this sentiment, Marli Goussard, social impact advisor at Ranyaka Community Transformation and one of the competition’s judges shared: “It is exciting to see the rise in socially innovative thinking among students and the younger generation. We hope this is a platform to launch larger scale social innovation ideation for Stellenbosch communities and Ranyaka is a proud partner in working towards this shared vision. As we celebrate the success of the #IdeasForChange Food Secure Challenge, we look forward to witnessing the continued impact of these innovative solutions on the future of Stellenbosch and beyond.”
