Landile Mabele is the co-founder of NavWok, a digital walking stickdesigned to enhance mobility and independence for visually impairedindividuals.
NavWok integrates advanced sensors and real-time voice feedback,offering a groundbreaking solution that helps users navigate theirsurroundings with confidence. Built for fast-paced outdoorenvironments, it aims to transform the way visually impaired individualsexperience the world.
2nd Place: Sekelo Shude
Sekelo Shude is the visionary behind Greenpavers, an innovative solution designed to combat pollution.
Greenpavers repurposes recycled plastics to create durable, eco-friendly bricks for paving, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional materials while reducing environmental waste.
3rd Place: Siyabonga Msiza
Siyabonga Msiza is the founder of BuntuVentures, a privately owned, Bronkhorstspruit-based product development company.
Founded in 2023 to address the innovation gap in emerging markets, BuntuVentures focuses on assisting food-related businesses by ensuring food safety, authenticity, and compliance with industry standards.
Twin sisters Matlhogonolo and Masego Mphahlele are developing Digital X-Ray Glasses, a groundbreaking innovation set to transform healthcare. Designed for remote diagnostics, reduced radiation exposure, and cost-effectiveness, this technology aims to support hospitals and clinics in delivering more efficient and accessible medical imaging solutions.
The idea is aimed at solving a number of issues in the healthcare space, issues such as space and quicker x-ray results.
2nd Place: Safiyya Karim
Digital Wardrobe is an AI-powered wardrobe cataloging founded by Safiyya Karim. The app is designed to optimize the users style and shopping habits by tracking outfit usage and providing data-driven insights, the app helps users understand their wardrobe better, maximize outfit combinations, and make more conscious fashion choices.
3rd Place: Amogelang Nkonyane
Amogelang is the founder of Errand Connect , a trusted platform dedicated to simplifying everyday tasks through fast and reliable errand services.
Whether it’s grocery shopping, deliveries, or picking up dry cleaning, Errand Connect connects users with dependable errand runners, making daily chores effortless.
Mo n Fro is a fast-paced, two-player couch co-op puzzle game where players are tethered together to complete challenging levels.
Co-founded by Nhlanhla, the game is designed for teamwork and quick thinking, players must use their unique abilities and world mechanics to solve puzzles before time runs out. With a cozy, stylized look and an accessible learning curve, Mo n Fro is perfect for puzzle lovers of all ages—whether friends, siblings, or couples. Featuring multiple game modes, diverse environments, and Steam Remote Play, it delivers a fun and engaging experience for everyone.
2rd place: Warona Tsiane
Warona is the brain behind From Classroom to Boardroom. The book is more than just a story—it’s a practical guide for young entrepreneurs.
Based on real experiences, the book provides valuable insights on building a business at a young age while navigating challenges like limited funding, lack of mentorship, and balancing school with entrepreneurship.
3rd place: Keletso Lesetla
Bedevison is a community-driven platform designed to give emerging, indie, and student filmmakers the exposure they deserve.
With mainstream streaming platforms dominated by big-budget productions, smaller creators often struggle to showcase and monetize their work.
Juandre is the founder of EZ Airway, a groundbreaking modular video laryngoscope that transforms any standard laryngoscope into a video-assisted device, enhancing visualization and improving airway management.
Designed for affordability—90% cheaper than traditional video laryngoscopes—EZ Airway makes life-saving technology accessible to hospitals, clinics, and emergency services, especially in low-resource settings. Recognized by the South African Youth Awards and the United Nations Development Programme, it is set to revolutionize intubation and save countless lives worldwide.
2rd place: Zandi Nkonzo
5arm-tech harnesses earth observation technology and machine learning to provide emerging farmers with data-driven insights on crop health, soil conditions, and weather patterns.
Zandi’s idea is a user-friendly app called Rima. A platform wherefarmers receive customized advice tailored to their specific field conditions, helping them boost yields, manage risks, and optimize resources. Key features include financial tracking, GIS mapping, soil health monitoring, pest and disease detection, irrigation management, and weather forecasting—empowering farmers to make informed, profitable decisions.
3rd place: Thato Ndlovu
Thato is the brain behind Bantu Health, a revolutionary health app designed to save lives by ensuring timely access to medical care in South Africa.
With delayed healthcare contributing to preventable deaths, Bantu Health leverages technology to empower users with AI-driven symptom analysis, real-time clinic locators, emergency assistance with precise location sharing, and telemedicine access—putting life-saving care at their fingertips.
Taharah is the brain behind MyRariFile , A biometric medical system designed to streamline healthcare access and patient management in South Africa.
By using biometrics to securely open medical records and onboard patients, MyRariFile ensures accurate, fraud-resistant data storage. This innovation aims to reduce wait times in emergency units, prevent wrongful deaths, and centralize patient information—enhancing efficiency across the national healthcare system.
2rd place: Sicelo Sibeko
IP Vault is an AI-powered, blockchain-based intellectual property protection system designed for SMMEs, startups, and innovators.
By automating IP registration, ownership tracking, and enforcement, IP Vault safeguards businesses against idea theft and unauthorized use. Key features include AI-driven prior art detection, smart contract-based ownership transfers, and automated IP enforcement, making IP protection faster, more affordable, and accessible. This innovative solution empowers entrepreneurs to secure and monetize their intellectual property with confidence.
3rd place: Thabang Makgakwe
Thabang Makgakwe is the founder of Creativevault. CreativeVault is a mobile app designed to help South African creatives protect, store, and share their work securely.
With features like cloud storage, auto copyright timestamps, watermarks, secure sharing, and legal support, it ensures artists, writers, filmmakers, and musicians can safeguard their creations from theft and loss. Available in multiple local languages, CreativeVault makes copyright protection simple, affordable, and accessible to all creatives.
