Six visionary student entrepreneurs from MUT are gearing up for the regional stage of the annual EDHE Absa Entrepreneurship Innorvarsity Competition following a fierce institutional showdown. The students claimed victory in their respective categories on 24 July 2026 at the University’s North Campus. According to MUT Entrepreneurship Coordinator Ntombifuthi Mthembu, the winners emerged victorious following a “rigorous adjudication process by an experienced panel of judges.”
The EDHE Absa Entrepreneurship Innorvarsity Competition is a flagship initiative of Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE), supported by ABSA Bank. It is designed to unlock the entrepreneurial potential embedded within South Africa’s higher education landscape, offering students a structured platform to pitch business ideas, gain exposure, and secure support to accelerate their ventures.
The six successful students who will fly the MUT flag high span three distinct categories. Winners of the Social Impact category were Andile Mkhize, a Final-year Agriculture Plant Production student, and owner of Agricvalue; and Xoliswa Mtshali, owner of New Mercies Holdings. The Existing Business General category was won by Esihle Mphalulo, the owner of Yarn to Heart Creation, and Sanele Mallane, the Founder of Abalusi Aquaflies. Asanda Sonqishe , owner of PrideRide, and Thandazani Mbutho owner of Glaresmart, won the Innovative Industries Category. The victorious student entrepreneurs will now move on to the regional round, scheduled for 11 to 12 August 2026 at the Coastlands Hotel, Musgrave, Durban.
MUT has the honour of hosting this year’s regional leg, where its students will go head-to-head with top entrepreneurial minds from regional counterparts – the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), Durban University of Technology (DUT), and the University of Zululand (UNIZULU).
Highlighting the significance of the upcoming event, Mthembu noted that hosting the prestigious regional gathering places MUT firmly in the spotlight. “This provides an excellent opportunity to showcase our growing entrepreneurship ecosystem, institutional capabilities, and commitment to developing entrepreneurial graduates,” Mthembu said.
The triumphant students are already hard at work refining their pitches, fuelled by high spirits and a strong drive to succeed. A focused and ambitious Andile Mkhize shared his game plan, stating, “I am garnering for the win. I will try my best.” Meanwhile, fellow Social Impact winner Xoliswa Mtshali revealed she is using constructive feedback from the judging panel to elevate her venture for the next round. “I am bringing something new,” Mtshali added.