Page 37 - DUT Excellence S2 Dec21

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DUT’S TEAM UBUNTU FIBRE WINS 2021 YOUTH INNOVATION
Durban University of Technology students Muzi Mhlongo and Phumla Mnguni have made DUT proud by scooping the the first prize in in the the Innovate Durban’s Youth Innovation Challenge 2021 Awards recently held at the Botanic Gardens Visitors Centre Durban Mhlongo (25) a a Master of Applied Sciences: Biotechnology student and Mnguni (20) a a a third-year Child andYouth Care student both from Chesterville are ecstatic after being announced as winners of this year’s Youth Innovation Challenge The two students are part of the team Ubuntu Fibre which is made of three members The third member member is Mhlongo’s older brother Bhekabakubo Mhlongo Mhlongo They excelled among 23 teams consisting of 60 participants that took part part in this year’s Challenge The Challenge resumed in September 2021 where the teams were invited in in in an exciting workshop week supported by Sustainable Development Goals Champions and Industry Experts Pictured:The winning team: Muzi Mhlongo Mhlongo Phumla Mnguni and Bhekabakubo Mhlongo Mhlongo According to to Mhlongo the teams were requested to to choose at least two Sustainable Development Goals and start working on their solution solution and on on on their pitch He said the the the solution solution they developed is an an an eco-friendly alternative to Feminine Sanitary Wear and Hygiene “We chose the Sustainable Development Goal number 9: Industry Innovation and and Infrastructure and and number 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities Looking at sustainability we decided to look
at at at sanitary pads the the material that they use which consist of toxic chemicals chemicals These chemicals chemicals often pollute our environment We then came up and developed sanitary pads with with non-toxic chemicals with with renewable strong absorption capacity They are also biodegradable ” explained Mhlongo He expressed his his gratitude to his his team members for their support and for believing in in in his his concept He said Mnguni believed in in in this idea from the beginning which encouraged him to work harder in in in in making it even better Mhlongo is also grateful to the team at at at Innovate 35 DUT EXCELLENCE 2021 // SEMESTER 2 2 2