During the last moments of the National Youth Entrepreneurship Awards also referred to as the Step Up to a Green Start programme, all high school learners who participated in the competition eagerly waited for the results on the main stage.
The awards which were held at the Sandton Nedbank Boardman auditorium saw a room filled with both guests and participants of the competition gearing up to hear the final verdict of their proposals. According to the master of ceremonies, Nkosinathi Moshoana, all the participants took a six-month period to prepare for the big moment on October 7.
Nedbank executive head of finance and strategy Priya Naidoo made the official opening of the event and shared her views on the campaign.
“We have proudly partnered with Step up 2 A Green Start-up, as we are passionate about youth development and harnessing the potential of young people to contribute to the future sustainability of our environment. Nedbank believes that more radical innovations are possible from micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. These enterprises play a key role in the transition to green economies and sustainable development,” said Naidoo.
Prior to the day of the awards, learners were taken to a bootcamp for a week where they had time to polish their work before presenting their proposals to a panel of judges.
Results of the 2022 National Youth Entrepreneurship Awards:
- Trailblazer award: Alan Fainman (Bidvest Services International)
- Innovation award: Mandla Mpofu (Omnia Holdings)
- Third place: Brainiacs from Buhlebezile Secondary School (Thokoza)
- Second place: Earth Protectors from Leap Science and Maths (Alexandra)
- First place: Eco-Friendly Coal from Sibusiswe Comp-Tech High School (Umbumbulu)
All the top ten participants including their teachers were gifted with tablets by Sizwe Africa IT Group. The session of prize giving was not over as Richfield College awarded the participants with a full bursary to the institution.
To top it off, Proudly SA announced that they will be giving one of the participants with a bursary to their university of choice, textbook and personal allowance, and the provision of accommodation.
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