DUT team’s victory to Youth Innovation Challenge
The winning team developed sanitary pads with non-toxic chemicals which have a strong renewable strong absorption capacity.
DURBAN University of Technology (DUT) recently announced its winners of this year’s Youth Innovation Challenge.
Students, Muzi Mhlongo and Phumla Mnguni scooped the first prize in the Innovate Durban’s Youth Innovation Challenge Awards held recently at the Durban Botanic Gardens Visitors Centre.
Mhlongo (25), a Master of Applied Sciences: Biotechnology student, and Mnguni (20), a third-year Child and Youth Care student said they are ecstatic after being announced as winners of this year’s challenge.
They were part of the team Ubuntu Fibre.
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The third member was Mhlongo’s older brother, Bhekabakubo Mhlongo. There were 23 teams in total consisting of 60 participants.
According to Muzi Mhlongo the teams were requested to choose at least two sustainable development goals and start working on their solution and on their pitch.
He said the solution they developed is an eco-friendly alternative to feminine sanitary wear and hygiene.
“We looked at sustainable development, industry innovation, and infrastructure. With regards to sustainability, we decided to look at sanitary pads, the material that they use which consist of toxic chemicals,” he said.
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Mhlongo said the chemicals used in the making of sanitary pads often pollute the environment. He said this is what encouraged them to develop sanitary pads with non-toxic chemicals which have a strong renewable strong absorption capacity. What’s more the sanitary pads are also biodegradable.
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