Finalists in the 2021 Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards announced

The awards, held annually, source and support innovation that solves social problems in a new and efficient way while adopting a sustainable business model. The winners stand a chance to walk away with awards and grants up to the value of R1.3m. A total of R12.9m will be awarded to social innovators and entrepreneurs on the day of the awards ceremony (30 November).

The finalists were selected from over 750 entries, and their innovations were assessed according to specific criteria by two independent panels of judges. This included evaluating whether they were scalable and could be commercialised as well as their potential to create job opportunities.

Their innovations range from mobile apps that support small-scale farmers and assistive mechanisms for people living with disabilities to biodegradable packaging that reduces the use of single-use plastics.

“Our awards are held each year to celebrate and support entrepreneurs that are thinking outside the box in terms of how you solve social problems efficiently and at scale. We look forward to seeing these businesses grow so that we can build the South Africa that we all want to see,” says Bridgit Evans, SAB Foundation director.

The winners will be announced at an official ceremony on Tuesday, 30 November. The public can watch the awards ceremony live on the SAB Foundation Facebook page from 4.30pm to see which of the finalists will walk away with awards.

2021 Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards finalists:

Disability Empowerment Awards finalists 2021

- Ka-dah Device by Tieho Tsiane – Hennenman, Free State
- Padperch by Jennifer Webster – Durbanville, Cape Town
- Ruby Wheelchair by Ernest Majenge – Soweto, Gauteng
- Shazacin mobile application and business model by Shakila Maharaj – Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
- Sign Language Teacher’s Training Programme by Dr Pieter Smal – Rustenburg, North West
- Thusanang Enabling Support Services by Edwina Makgamatha – Boksburg, Gauteng

Social Innovation Awards finalists 2021

- Agri Seed Capital by Dr Mpho Mathithibane – Kempton, Gauteng
- Bee Loved Honey by Lesego Holzapfel - Rustenburg, North West
- Desert Green Africa by Tumelo Chiloane – Pretoria, Gauteng
- Foi Science Healing Biopolymers by Nomahlubi Nazo – Milnerton, Cape Town
- Fruityxfusion by Humbulani Nekhudzhiga and Clarity Mapengo – Pretoria, Gauteng
- Gcwalisa by Miles Kubheka – Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Khula! Ecosystem by Karidas Tshintsholo – Fourways, Gauteng
- Kuloola by Siyanda Mthethwa – Eshowe, KwaZulu-Natal
- Lizwe Meat by Athenkosi Denga And Soyama Mtongana – King Williams, Eastern Cape
- Mapha Logistics by Loyiso Vatsha – Tembisa, Gauteng
- Natural Ingredients (Bulbine Frutescens) by Oxolo Mofokeng and Philani Ndwandwe – Ramsgate, KwaZulu-Natal
- Pneumonia Diagnosis Tool Suite by Storm Rhoda – Cape Town, Western Cape