Harmony Gold and Enactus champion the next generation of entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurial innovation has become a powerful vehicle for sustainable development, particularly given South Africa’s challenging economic environment and numerous social problems. This is exactly what Enactus, a global organisation that connects students, academics and businesses to use entrepreneurial action for building a better, more sustainable world, aims to achieve. The 2026 Enactus South Africa National Exposition, held on July 23 at the Focus Rooms in Sandton, Johannesburg, showcased how university students are using business-driven approaches to uplift local communities.

A total of 18 university teams presented their social enterprises to judging panels who evaluated each team on the tangible, real-world results of these enterprises. Rather than assessing theoretical business proposals, judges examined measurable outcomes, actual revenue generation, operational sustainability and evidence of long-term community impact. Nelson Mandela University’s Batho Pele BioLoop Africa — a low-carbon, circular economy smart farming model integrating hydroponics, black soldier fly larvae animal feed, organic fertiliser and biogas — was crowned the 2026 Enactus South Africa National Champion.

The enterprise generates income through produce sales, protein feed, compost, optional food waste collection fees and the franchising of its “Loop Smart Farm” model. The team will represent South Africa at the global Enactus World Cup in São Paulo, Brazil, in November, with travel support provided by anchor sponsorsHarmony Gold, MTN and the Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa. Harmony Goldhas partnered with Enactus South Africa as an anchor event sponsor for two decades.

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Dr Mashego Mashego, executive director of corporate affairs at Harmony Gold and deputy chairperson of theEnactus South Africaboard, says the company views youth development as a strategic investment in South Africa’s future. One of the greatest investments any organisation can make is an investment in people, particularly young people “One of the greatest investments any organisation can make is an investment in people, particularly young people,” said Mashego.

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