Finalists of the Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards 2023 announced

The anticipation is building as the SAB Foundation proudly announces the selection of 18 exceptional finalists for the highly anticipated Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards 2023. The winners will be formally announced at an awards ceremony in Johannesburg on 12 October 2023.

The Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards are held annually and continue to shine a spotlight on pioneering innovators who not only seek to resolve social issues but also adhere to sustainable business practices.

SAB Foundation Head of Programmes, Itumeleng Dhlamini, says that the finalists this year are solution-driven change makers who are committed to uplifting their communities.

“This year, we have selected a broad mix of innovations that are solving societal challenges,” she explains.  “From ingenious environmental waste management solutions to agricultural incubators empowering women and youth, to initiatives furthering gainful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and innovative credit facilities supporting informal business entities—these finalists embody the promise of disruptive technology and income-generating innovation."

“Our aim is to grow these businesses to the point where they become an attractive option for traditional and impact investors,” she continues.

The 2023 finalists were selected from over 1000 applications and were subjected to four rigorous rounds of judging and due diligence by esteemed experts from government, civil society,  and the private sector.

“The high calibre of entries never ceases to amaze us, and this year is no exception,” concludes Dhlamini. “We look forward to celebrating their hard work and adding value to their innovations with our seasoned mentors who will work with them to build sustainable and successful businesses.”

DISABILITY EMPOWERMENT AWARDS:

People with disabilities in South Africa face a number of social and economic barriers, and currently, unemployment in the sector stands at over 70%. The SAB Foundation Disability Empowerment Awards aim to find, support and scale social innovations that are either run by people with disabilities or provide disability solutions to enhance disability access and promote equality and inclusion.

Eastern Cape

Silicone Prosthetic Liner For Amputees

A durable and cost effective product that enables people with disabilities to be mobile. This high quality silicone liner is specifically designed for amputees to act as a shock absorber whilst walking.

Gauteng

DeafTouch Accessible Communications Solution

A video-based digital call centre platform that promotes digital inclusion for people with disabilities. This inclusive platform enables effective communication between the deaf and people with visual disabilities, and businesses, governments and regular citizens.

Western Cape

Able2Travel AI Assisted Travel App  

An innovative hospitality industry solution that is aimed at travellers with disabilities. This television series and mobile app provides information about hotels, restaurants, transportation and activities that are suitable, and increases awareness around access for people with disabilities and employment opportunities in the tourism sector.

 Job-Abled Recruitment Platform

A simplified digital solution for people with disabilities seeking employment. This online solution creates a simple way for job seekers with disabilities to create a CV, apply for jobs and conduct interviews without travelling.

 Loop Paratransit E Hailing Service

An affordable and safe e-hailing platform that makes commuting accessible for people with disabilities. Through partnerships with the minibus taxi industry, government, educational and financial institutions, this innovative solution introduces e-hailing benefits for people with disabilities.

SOCIAL INNOVATION AWARDS

The SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards find support and scale social innovations that address socio-economic and environmental challenges. By providing challenge funding and tailored mentorship to promising local innovators, it contributes to the alleviation of social problems and helps to improve the quality of life for many South Africans, with an emphasis on women, youth, people with disabilities or those in rural areas.

Gauteng

BallTalent

A web application for professional community sports clubs to recruit youth across all sporting codes. This advanced software is designed for sports clubs, scouts and players, connecting professional institutions to young sporting talent.

Sonke Automated Refill Stations

A model that designs, manufactures, and manages smart, automated refill stations in low-income areas. This innovation provides a convenient solution for low-income earners to buy their products in quantities that suit their budget.

Xhuma Neo Banking App

An educational digital banking application that promotes financial literacy and provides everyday banking solutions. This easy to use online banking solution encourages responsible spending, whilst providing educational content to promote financial literacy for its users.

KwaZulu-Natal

Green Arch Aquaponics Micro-Franchise

A sustainable solution that assists with subsidised aquaponics franchising in low-income communities. This unique two-pronged model approach acts as an integral stance for the adoption of sustainable agriculture.

LiquidGold Africa

This innovative waterless sanitation solution reduces infections by converting urine into a dry bio-fertiliser, preventing water pollution and enabling easier circular, smart management of wastewater and nutrients.

Re-purpose

This innovation assists businesses, schools, residents, buy-back centres and communities to separate recyclable waste that can be converted to market-ready products.

Mpumalanga

Nick and Nichol’s Vegan Leather Designs

A creative solution that upcycles inner tyre tubes to help combat pollution. This innovation is focused on creating earth-friendly products from inner tubes of car and truck tyres to reduce pollution and divert waste from landfills.

 Aqua Green Agricultural Incubation Model

A fish farming incubator that empowers youth and women to start their own agri businesses. The incubation model provides practical and theoretical training for youth and women in Tilapia fish farming.

Western Cape  

Anisoptera Waste Analytics Using AI

An effective and advanced waste technology system aimed at increasing the recovery rate at recycling facilities. This cutting edge technology, which can be activated on a smart phone, couples cloud services with a custom designed artificial intelligence algorithm to enable users to interact and interrogate data at any level at their recycling facility.

Easy Squeezy

A novel and reusable asthma pump sleeve attachment for children and the elderly. This device improves the overall treatment of asthma in people who have limited strength in their arms to generate the force needed to activate a standard inhaler.

Koola Capital SMME Financing

A digital lender offering financing for businesses operating in the township economy. This digital financing solution aims to contribute towards building an inclusive, self-sufficient and

sustainable African ecosystem that improves access to capital (financial and non-financial) for township-based entrepreneurs.

Wafunda Income Share Agreements

An impactful student funding platform that is focused on enabling access to higher education learning opportunities. This innovation provides sustainable education opportunities for young people through Income Share Agreements.

To learn more about the Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards visit https://sabfoundation.co.za/social-innovation-awards