In an event held in Johannesburg on Tuesday night (11 October), the South African Breweries (SAB) in partnership with its Foundation and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), hosted its 12th annual Social Innovation and 7th annual Disability Empowerment Awards in which R18 million in grant funding and business development support was awarded to 29 deserving social innovators.
Themed renewal, revival and resilience, the awards honoured the tenacity and sheer will of South African entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs have gone through a period of hardship and struggle following the pandemic, civil unrest and global conflict, but still thrived against all odds. Echoing this sentiment, Minister for the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), Stella Ndabeni – Abrahams said, “What SAB is doing resonates with the work the Department and its agencies are seized with in supporting SMMEs and Co-operatives. There are clear areas around which SAB and the Small Business Development Portfolio can collaborate. I have no doubt that we have sufficiently common objectives to establish a meaningful and enduring partnership. This includes building a pipeline of SMME suppliers that can feed into your extended supply chain”.
Similarity, the DSBD has to date been able to provide interest free loans to 5229 small businesses. Minister Ndabeni – Abrahams applauded SAB for partnering with government in easing the unemployment rate through ensuring that entrepreneurs are capacitated and granted sufficient funding to enable their businesses to succeed.
The awards took inspiration from the South African Fire Lily, a tough plant that defies the elements by producing its beautiful salmon to scarlet blooms just nine days after the destructive effects of a fire. It is a symbol of renewal and of hope. SAB’s Corporate Affairs Vice President, Zoleka Lisa adds that SAB is committed to growing the beer category responsibly and aid our government in our collective mission towards economic recovery and growth. “Our vision is to make our business more inclusive and sustainable for our consumers, customers, colleagues and communities”.
To date SAB has invested over R73 million in funding and business development support, to help 143 social innovators. Each innovator focuses on solving a social problem in the sectors such as housing, healthcare, education, social services, disability, energy, water and sanitation, community safety and security, agriculture, recycling, and financial inclusion.
The awards winners include, Liz Moynihan, founder of Kotonki and Sibongile Mongadi, from Uku'hamba Prosthetics and Orthotics who were the overall winners of the Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards with Kotonki getting top prize in the Social Innovation category and Uku’hamba Prosthetics and Orthotics winning first prize in the Disability Empowerment Awards Category. Both innovations received R1.3 million each in grant funding and business development support.
Joint second place in the Disability Empowerment Awards Category went to Louine Griessel from Breede Valley APD Business Units and Chelsea Williamson from iSchool Africa. Both innovations were awarded R750 000 in prize money.
Breede Valley APD Business Units provides a platform for vulnerable persons with disabilities to develop their full vocational potential and iSchool Africa empowers deaf youth with digital skills.
In the Social Innovation Awards Category, iKhaya Lekhaya was awarded second place with grant funding of R800 000 and From Waste to Value walked away with third place and R700 000 in grant funding.
From Waste to Value collects disposed cooking oil from local food establishments and transforms it into sustainably packaged and affordable soap bars.
This year the awards included a new category, The SAB SHARP Awards, were established to specifically target innovators, institutions, students, researchers and social enterprises with innovative ideas or prototypes that empower women in at-risk communities.
Izipho Zokuphila Tracking, founded by Simphiwe Ntuli and Siyabonga Mgadi, walked away as the overall winners, taking home the top prize of R500 000 in funding.
To learn more about the Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards visit https://sabfoundation.co.za/social-innovation-awards
