The SAB Foundation awarded a total of R16 million to South African entrepreneurs for their social innovations or disability empowerment
Launched in 2011, the SAB Foundation Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards returned this year to award a total of R16, 15 million to South African entrepreneurs who are empowering communities through their social innovations. There is a dedicated award to businesses and entrepreneurs who empower the disability community.
In the past, first prize was awarded to entrepreneurs with disabilities, projects that employ people with disabilities, as well as innovations that improve the lives of people with disabilities.
On November 30, the Foundation hosted an awards ceremony to announce the winners. Attendance was limited due to the COVID regulations and lockdown restrictions. Fortunately, the event was also streamed to Facebook. The following businesses and entrepreneurs were awarded prize money at the event.
Ruby Wheelchair
Entrepreneur Ernest Majenge was awarded first prize to the value of R1,3 million at the event for his Ruby Wheelchair – a manual wheelchair that allows people with mobility impairments to navigate stairs more easily.
Padperch
Jennifer Webster earned second place and R750 000 for her Padperch innovation – a low-tech solution that allows people with visual impairment to use smart devices as a hands-free magnifier.
Sign language teacher’s training programme
Pieter Smal came in third with R550 000 awarded for his training programme that enables deaf teaching assistance and persons who are deaf to become qualified sign language teachers.
An additional R300 000 was awarded to Tieho Tsiane, Shakila Maharaj and Edwina Makgamatha each for their innovations to assist with developing it further.
Tieho designed Ka-Dah Device – a device that assists visually impaired individuals to navigate their phones without the need to touch, hold or tap the screens.
Shakila is the innovator behind the Shazacin Mobile Application that enables visually impaired individuals access to visual content through the use of audio descriptions.
Edwina started the Thusanang Enabling Support Services, an out-patient clinic that offers a multidisciplinary approach to wound care management.
Congratulations to all the winners and good luck with further developing and expanding your businesses!
