Kimberley
SPU’s Enactus Go-Green Enterprise, under the Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Research (CEDAR), won the 2025 Harmony Entrepreneurship for Employment & Food Security Enactus Challenge at the Enactus South Africa National Exposition, held recently at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Go-Green is a social enterprise that empowers unemployed youth to become microgreen entrepreneurs by providing affordable starter kits, expert-led training, and access to a digital marketplace, with a strong focus on sustainable urban farming. The project aims to tackle food insecurity and unemployment by equipping young people with the skills and resources to grow and sell high-value crops in urban spaces.
The team’s journey to success was led by student leaders Chief Executive Officer Liyema Swartbooi, Chief Technology Officer Chris Paul Kruger, and Chief Operational Officer David Makomane. They were guided by Economic Activation Officer Mr Chad Lucas and Co-Faculty Advisor Mr Ephraim Tshobeka, both from CEDAR. Go-Green competed against 32 other university teams to secure first place.
To further support their growth, mLab South Africa provided R10 000 in seed funding, while Harmony Gold awarded a R31 000 grant (inclusive of the 1st place winning price). The group also participated in an incubation programme led by Stellenbosch University, aimed at nurturing start-ups and small enterprises.
By June 2025, the Go Green had successfully onboarded over 250 users to their platform and developed a fully functional digital learning environment. They are now preparing to onboard an additional 80 students through SPU’s Talent Pipeline Programme, a move that will expand their reach and impact.
The Go-Green enterprise is one of the flagship projects from the Economic Activation Office and stood out among top student teams nationwide, showcasing how SPU equips students to lead with purpose and make lasting change.
This achievement is a testament to the team’s hard work, vision and dedication, and positions them to scale their project even further, for greater impact, by supporting more aspiring youth entrepreneurs. Source- SPU
