The Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA), in partnership with the Mpumalanga provincial government and supported by the Just Transition to a Decarbonised Economy for South Africa, Old Mutual, Standard Bank, Seriti Green, Sasol and Indalo Inclusive, have announced the winners of the 2024 Mpumalanga Green Innovation Challenge.

This initiative celebrates and supports local entrepreneurs whose innovative green solutions promise a more sustainable future for Mpumalanga.

The challenge attracted innovators from across the province who seek to address environmental challenges and advance sustainable practices.

Finalists benefited from a preparatory workshop facilitated by Indalo Inclusive, where they learned to refine their presentations and project confidence in pitching their ideas to an audience.

At the main event, 12 finalists pitched their green business ideas to a panel of judges.

Each finalist showcased their innovations, competing for funding to help advance their ventures from early-stage ideas to scalable enterprises.

The first prize, of R100 000, went to Nic & Nic, founded by Nick Nyalungu and Nichole Nyalungu, a venture focused on collecting tyre tubes and turning them into different products ranging from hand bags to wallets.

The second prize, of R50 000, went to TNK GreenHouse Technology by Given Ngwamba, which makes charcoal briquettes from agricultural waste material collected in the community.

The third prize, of R30 000, went to Untum Recycling by Nomuntu Ndhlovu, a business aimed at producing black soldier fly larvae, which is then sold as organic food waste in the community.

Seriti Green sponsored the first prize, Sasol the second and Standard Bank the third.

In addition to the prize money, all finalists will receive ongoing mentorship and support to advance their projects.

They will also be assisted in registering their projects on the new Just Energy Transition (JET) Funding Platform, launched by the JET Project Management Unit in the Presidency, which provides additional funding opportunities and resources for green projects.