Driving Social Change Through Innovation: Highlights from the JA Social Equity Program Afrinnovate Competition
On Wednesday, 27 November, the JA Social Equity Program Afrinnovate Competition showcased the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of South Africa’s youth. Ten of the country’s top teams presented innovative solutions to challenges facing their communities, aiming to improve equity while fostering social change.
This hybrid event, featuring teams of up to ten members, marked the culmination of four-day boot camps held across South Africa. In just its second year, the program has reached over 6,500 young South Africans, inspiring them to solve pressing community issues while simultaneously exploring avenues for job creation.
Empowering Youth for a Better Tomorrow
The JA Social Equity Program, in partnership with the Z Zurich Foundation, is designed to equip young people with the tools to thrive as job creators and qualified job seekers. Recently reviewed by Harvard Business School, this impactful initiative integrates the JA Digital Entrepreneurship Education Program, providing participants with the skills and mindset to drive positive change as community leaders.
Participants engaged in hands-on learning experiences that not only prepared them to address local challenges but also encouraged them to see entrepreneurship as a powerful driver of social equity.
Celebrating Innovation: The Top Teams
The competition awarded $500 in seed funding to all ten finalist teams, with national winners Gen5Tech earning the opportunity to represent South Africa at the Pan-African finals in February 2025. Their project, designed to improve road safety, exemplifies the transformative power of youth-driven innovation.
The other top teams included:
- Siyathutha Fertilizers, whose project converts waste into biodegradable fertilizers, addressing environmental concerns and promoting sustainable practices.
- Intelligence Growth Solutions, which introduced vertical garden farming as a solution for eco-friendly agriculture in limited spaces.
A Vision for the Future
“I was truly inspired by all the teams and excited to witness their growth,” shared Akani Mkansi, Project Lead for the JA Social Equity Program. “Participants identified problems in their own communities and discovered how entrepreneurship can lead to meaningful social change. The partnership with the Z Zurich Foundation is transforming communities and shifting mindsets.”
This competition not only celebrates innovation but also underscores the potential of youth to shape brighter, more equitable futures. Junior Achievement South Africa extends its gratitude to the Z Zurich Foundation for their commitment to creating boundless opportunities for young South Africans.
Together, we are Creating Bright, Boundless Futures!
