Student innovation and entrepreneurship were celebrated by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) at its 2026 Battle of Campuses and Entrepreneurial Awards event.
The awards recognised students whose business ideas demonstrate innovation, resilience and the potential to create economic and social impact, reaffirming UKZN’s commitment to developing entrepreneurial graduates.
Welcoming guests, UKZN Executive Director of Corporate Relations, Dr Normah Zondo, highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship in preparing graduates for a changing economic landscape. She encouraged students to turn ideas into practical solutions and build sustainable businesses.
The awards recognised achievement across several categories, including Early Starters, Start-Up Cultivator, Innovation Challenge, Start-Up Booster, Postgraduate Entrepreneurship Elevation and Emerging Entrepreneurs.
Entries were assessed by a panel of 10 experts, supported by two external auditing professionals.
First-year BCom Accounting Extended Curriculum student Ms Anele Mbokazi of the Westville campus, won the Early Starters category. She credited the Emerging Entrepreneurs programme and the guidance of Mr Chris Black with helping her develop a practical plan for her business.
“When I first joined Emerging Entrepreneurs, I had no sense of direction about how I could bring my business to life. Mr Chris Black has helped me countless times to restructure and use the right tools to start,” said Mbokazi.
“Winning Early Starters has to be the biggest step into moving my business from the idea phase to the implementation phase. It has shown me that a simple idea is only successful once action has been put into it, and that is what I’m going to do. Thank you to everyone who believed in me.”
Other category winners included Mr Ntokozo Maseko, Start-Up Cultivator; Mr Ruveshan Naik, Innovation Challenge; Mr Cebolenkosi Gcabashe, Start-Up Booster; Mr Warren Mkhize, Postgraduate Entrepreneurship Elevation; and Mr Anele Bulose, Emerging Entrepreneurs category.
Mr Tswelopele Hermanus was named first runner-up in Early Starters, while Ms Iyanda Mtungwa was the second runner-up. Mr Luyanda Hlamaphi scooped the Achiever’s Choice Award, and Mr Tsepo Tsotetsi was named Entrepreneurial Ambassador of the Year, with the Westville campus receiving the Entrepreneurial Campus of the Year award.
Delivering the keynote address, entrepreneur Ms Wendy Dlomo shared how a personal challenge finding suitable short-term accommodation while relocating to Hilton inspired the development of The Living Collective.
“Stop asking, ‘What business should I start?’ and start asking, ‘What problem do I understand deeply enough to solve?’” she said, encouraging students to recognise everyday challenges as potential business opportunities.
Dlomo said the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation’s Durban Chapter would mentor the award winners, connecting them with experienced business leaders.
“A prize can open a door, but a mentor will help you walk through it,” she said.
Closing the event, UKZN Student Entrepreneurship Manager Mr Khutšo Ramontja said: “We celebrate something far greater than trophies, awards and prizes. We celebrate the enduring spirit of entrepreneurship at UKZN and the extraordinary entrepreneurial and innovative potential of our students.”
Ramontja highlighted the University’s growing investment in student entrepreneurship, noting that funding for the Battle of Campuses had increased from R28 000 in 2024 to R310 000 in 2025, with R920 000 allocated in 2026.
He thanked the initiative’s partners, including Momentum Group Foundation, Adams & Adams, Premier Hotel, Entrepreneurs’ Organisation and Asante Solutions, for supporting student entrepreneurship.
The awards highlighted the importance of mentorship, institutional investment and collaboration in nurturing entrepreneurial talent. Through initiatives such as the Battle of Campuses and the Entrepreneurial Awards, UKZN continues to support students in turning ideas into viable ventures and contributing to South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Words: Lungile Ngubelanga
Photograph: Tisetso Nhlapho