EDHE-Absa Innovation Challenge Launch 2025
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EDHE is heading to MUT on 25 June to launch the EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge that will see the participation of students and alumni from the 26 South African public universites.
Universities South Africa (USAf) a member organisation representing the 26 South African universities, through the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme, and Absa Bank is launching a strategic partnership with the aim of providing a pathway for youth into entrepreneurial action. This initiative aligns with Absa’s Corporate Citizenship strategy of promoting Financial Inclusion Through Entrepreneurship.
The national EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge is a dynamic, future-focused entrepreneurship competition designed to uncover and support bold, original solutions that address South Africa’s and the world’s most pressing societal challenges, aimed at the 26 university students and alumni who’ve graduated in the last three years in South Africa. At the heart of the Challenge is a commitment to innovation, not just in terms of advanced technology, but in any form that brings about meaningful transformation.
This Challenge embraces both tech-driven and non-tech innovations, understanding that the power of entrepreneurship lies in the creativity and problem-solving mindset of young people. Students are encouraged to think beyond conventional boundaries, offering solutions that are innovative, impactful, feasible, and scalable, regardless of the tools or platforms they use. This competition is not about launching the next ordinary business. It is about identifying and nurturing ideas that break the mould, challenge the status quo, and demonstrate transformative thinking.
The national launch will be hosted in collaboration with Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) at Umlazi township in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. As a township-based, historically disadvantaged institution (HDI), MUT exemplifies the transformative potential of entrepreneurship in higher education. Under the visionary leadership of Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, a recipient of the EDHE Rising Star DVC 2023 Award, the university has become a beacon of institutional support, advocacy, and investment in student entrepreneurship and staff capacity development. MUT integrates entrepreneurship through teaching, learning, and research and aims to establish a Centre for Entrepreneurship that will support early-stage ventures with workspace, mentorship, and resources. Professor Sibiya's role as Deputy Chairperson of USAf's World of Work Strategy Group further amplifies MUT's influence and strategic alignment with national priorities. Hosting this launch at MUT reflects the institution's deep commitment to inclusive innovation and affirms Absa's investment in meaningful, high-impact partnerships.
The initiative targets integrating entrepreneurial skills within universities, enabling students and graduates to contribute to sustainable economic growth actively. This project embodies Absa's commitment to youth empowerment and economic resilience by addressing graduate unemployment and fostering innovation. Along with the EDHE initiative, aiming to address systemic challenges such as high youth unemployment, limited entrepreneurial ecosystems, and inadequate alignment between education and industry demands.
The event will take place Wednesday 25 June 2025 at the Umlazi main campus in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 10:00 – 14:00. The event will feature addresses from:
• Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, Vice-Chancellor & Principal, Mangosuthu University of Technology
• Dr Phethiwe Matutu, Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Universities South Africa (USAf)
• Dr Edwell Gumbo, Director: Entrepreneurship, Universities South Africa (USAf)
• Dr Steven Zwane, Managing Executive: Corporate Citizenship, Absa Bank
• Dr Bhekabantu Ntshangase, Acting DVC: Resources and Planning or Prof Mathabeng Ramogale, DVC: Teaching and Learning, Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
Universities South Africa (USAf) a member organisation representing the 26 South African universities, through the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme, and Absa Bank is launching a strategic partnership with the aim of providing a pathway for youth into entrepreneurial action. This initiative aligns with Absa’s Corporate Citizenship strategy of promoting Financial Inclusion Through Entrepreneurship.
The national EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge is a dynamic, future-focused entrepreneurship competition designed to uncover and support bold, original solutions that address South Africa’s and the world’s most pressing societal challenges, aimed at the 26 university students and alumni who’ve graduated in the last three years in South Africa. At the heart of the Challenge is a commitment to innovation, not just in terms of advanced technology, but in any form that brings about meaningful transformation.
This Challenge embraces both tech-driven and non-tech innovations, understanding that the power of entrepreneurship lies in the creativity and problem-solving mindset of young people. Students are encouraged to think beyond conventional boundaries, offering solutions that are innovative, impactful, feasible, and scalable, regardless of the tools or platforms they use. This competition is not about launching the next ordinary business. It is about identifying and nurturing ideas that break the mould, challenge the status quo, and demonstrate transformative thinking.
The national launch will be hosted in collaboration with Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) at Umlazi township in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. As a township-based, historically disadvantaged institution (HDI), MUT exemplifies the transformative potential of entrepreneurship in higher education. Under the visionary leadership of Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, a recipient of the EDHE Rising Star DVC 2023 Award, the university has become a beacon of institutional support, advocacy, and investment in student entrepreneurship and staff capacity development. MUT integrates entrepreneurship through teaching, learning, and research and aims to establish a Centre for Entrepreneurship that will support early-stage ventures with workspace, mentorship, and resources. Professor Sibiya's role as Deputy Chairperson of USAf's World of Work Strategy Group further amplifies MUT's influence and strategic alignment with national priorities. Hosting this launch at MUT reflects the institution's deep commitment to inclusive innovation and affirms Absa's investment in meaningful, high-impact partnerships.
The initiative targets integrating entrepreneurial skills within universities, enabling students and graduates to contribute to sustainable economic growth actively. This project embodies Absa's commitment to youth empowerment and economic resilience by addressing graduate unemployment and fostering innovation. Along with the EDHE initiative, aiming to address systemic challenges such as high youth unemployment, limited entrepreneurial ecosystems, and inadequate alignment between education and industry demands.
The event will take place Wednesday 25 June 2025 at the Umlazi main campus in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 10:00 – 14:00. The event will feature addresses from:
• Professor Nokuthula Sibiya, Vice-Chancellor & Principal, Mangosuthu University of Technology
• Dr Phethiwe Matutu, Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Universities South Africa (USAf)
• Dr Edwell Gumbo, Director: Entrepreneurship, Universities South Africa (USAf)
• Dr Steven Zwane, Managing Executive: Corporate Citizenship, Absa Bank
• Dr Bhekabantu Ntshangase, Acting DVC: Resources and Planning or Prof Mathabeng Ramogale, DVC: Teaching and Learning, Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)