South Africa, like many other developing countries in the world, is grappling with a range of complex socio-economic challenges. From resolving the unemployment crisis and addressing the impact of climate change through to improving public health, providing enough food for the nation and creating sustainable power sources. These are just some of many issues we need to solve for as a nation.
The good news is that young South Africans are stepping up to offer innovative solutions to the challenges we face as well as creating ways to catalyse new opportunities. At Sasol TechnoX 2023, talks will be presented from young visionaries and entrepreneurial trailblazers who are taking the lead in addressing some of our country’s most pressing issues.
The event emphasises how young people can become agents of positive change in their communities and beyond. Each of our speakers is doing remarkable work to resolve some of the biggest challenges society faces, from climate change and corruption to public healthcare and food security.
Here are just three examples of innovators in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Innovation (STEAMI) fields who will be presenting at our TechnoX 2023 career exhibition. They offer inspiring examples of how innovation can play a pivotal role in addressing the challenges facing our country.
Sasol TechnoX: Inspiring the next generation of innovators to shape the future
Environmental impact of food wastage
According to the WWF, 10 million tonnes of food go to waste in South Africa every year. This accounts for a third of annual production. Aside from the tragedy of wasting food in a country where so many go hungry, wasted food also has a devastating impact on the environment via landfills and unnecessary carbon emissions.
Rich Sibusiso Hlatswayo is the founder of Me2You, a social entrepreneurship venture that combines a meal kit delivery service with a virtual food bank that provides food to those in need for free. The platform helps to address food poverty and mitigate the effect of food wastage on the environment.
Blockchain technology to fight corruption
Corruption is a major threat to growth and stability in South Africa. Consequences include loss of business confidence, misappropriation of funds meant to uplift the poor or build infrastructure, and erosion of international investor confidence—all decreasing quality of life and economic growth. STEAMI innovators are looking at ways to address endemic corruption.
Zime Nosipho Nxumalo is founder and owner of Zime Wezwe Creatives, a software development company under the guidance of Innobiz Durban University of Technology (DUT). Zime Wezwe Creatives has created a solution that aims to combat corruption and facilitate transparency within the real estate transaction process.
Revolutionising medical care with digital X-ray glasses
Medical technology is improving all the time, but high costs mean that it’s not accessible to everyone. Limited resources mean that many people still face long waiting times and crowded hospitals and clinics when they seek even basic services like X-rays. Twin sisters Matlhogonolo and Masego Mphahlele, have invented digital X-ray glasses as a portable X-ray solution to help patients have quicker hospital visits.
With TechnoX, we aim to create a space where future innovators can be inspired by how they can help solve society’s problems and change the world for the better. What better way to do this than to spin a spotlight on remarkable young South Africans who are leaders in their respective fields and have made significant strides in the world of STEAMI?
Sasol TechnoX offers free participation, underscoring Sasol’s commitment to fostering a smarter, more knowledgeable, entrepreneurial, and productive generation of learners By eliminating financial barriers, Sasol TechnoX ensures that every aspiring future shaper has equal access to the transformative opportunities provided by the exhibition.
*Sasol TechnoX, South Africa’s premier STEAMI career exhibition, takes place from 14 –18 August 2023. Organised by the Sasol Foundation, TechnoX provides an immersive, hands-on experience, showcasing the diverse disciplines and exciting career opportunities offered by STEAMI. The theme this year is “future shapers – discover your passion, shape your future.”
Check out https://sasoltechnox.co.za to register and learn more.
By Noxolo Kahlana, Head of the Sasol Foundation
Image Courtesy: Supplied