Ducere Holdings was crowned the winner of the City of Johannesburg’s Green City Start-Up Awards.
The Johannesburg-based company has developed an innovative system that can achieve fuel savings of up to 70 per cent in vehicles. The company walked away with the R1-million first prize at a gala dinner on 9 November. Miser, as the fully automated transmission system is called, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and is ideal for new vehicle designs but it can also be fitted into existing vehicles, ranging from minibus taxis to large earthmoving trucks. The system improves electric hybrids and allows the vehicle to store and reuse kinetic energy which is usually lost as vehicles stop and start. It also allows for engine optimisation and fuel efficiency.
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The second prize, worth R400 000, was won by Solid Insight for its one-stop solution to resource use in buildings. It connects energy and water meters and other sensors in buildings and reliably brings that data to the web where it can be used to powerful effect. By making energy and water management as easy as internet banking, stakeholders are able to easily understand and reduce resource use.
Rydawi Fish Farms was named the winner of the R300 000 third prize for its Farminabox, an easy-to-use farming concept ideal for small-scale farmers. All that is needed is to add water and tilapia fish. The systems are easy to install, operate and understand, making it ideal for small scale farmers. Water is recycled and is energy efficient. Waste is 100 per cent recoverable.
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The Green City Start-Up Awards seek to unearth creative green entrepreneurs whose ideas could help boost Johannesburg’s green economy. Now in its second year, the competition was developed by the City in partnership with the University of Johannesburg and Resolution Circle. Resolution Circle is the University of Johannesburg’s technology commercialisation company.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Economic Development Cllr Sharon Peetz said all the eight finalists were inspirational. “I look up to you. Every idea impacts the world. I would love to be able to conceptualise ideas but it is far easier in politics. This programme has been our key achievement since we have been in government,” said Peetz.
An elated Andre Reynecke of Ducere Holdings said being in the competition had been a journey that had helped him to revisit the company’s business processes. “Thank you, the City of Joburg. This award is encouraging. I share a passion for Johannesburg. It’s unbelievable what this means to us. The main thing for us is collaboration with the University of Johannesburg and independent parties. By the middle of next year our company will be making money rather than spending money,” said an overjoyed Reynecke.
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