DocumentNot applicable1 of 3 opportunities in this document openNews

Student entrepreneurs focus on SDGs Witsies and founders of Drip Tailors finish strong in Kenya and advance to the SDG Olympiad finals in Switzerland. 7 September 2026

University of the WitwatersrandRef: https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/general-news/2026/2026-09/student-entrepreneurs-focus-on-sdgs-.html

Official source

Source domain: wits.ac.za

Collected on 8 September 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

This is a news article from the University of the Witwatersrand announcing that two of its students, Brain Makofane and Refilwe Monyela, founders of Drip Tailors, have advanced to the global finals of the 2026 SDG Olympiad in Switzerland after winning the regional championship in Kenya. The article highlights their journey from a campus-based upcycling idea to a sustainable business addressing textile waste and youth unemployment. It also mentions other student ventures like BioWatt Innovations that won national competitions. The article promotes the culture of student entrepreneurship at Wits and showcases support structures such as the Wits E-Hub.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

entrepreneurial support programmeOngoing

Support from the Wits E-Hub for student startups

Students at the University of the Witwatersrand can access mentorship, resources, and incubation services through the Wits E-Hub to develop and grow their entrepreneurial ventures.

Who it is for: students and emerging entrepreneurs at Wits University
How to act on it: Register or apply to join the Wits E-Hub initiatives

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Drip Tailors is one of several student-led businesses supported by the Wits E-Hub, which helps students and emerging entrepreneurs develop and grow their ventures.

competition opportunityNot applicable

Participation in the SDG Olympiad Regional Championships

Student entrepreneurs from South Africa can compete in the regional phase of the SDG Olympiad, which brings together innovators across Africa focused on solving global challenges through sustainable business models.

Who it is for: student entrepreneurs from South Africa
How to act on it: Apply through the Hult Prize South Africa 2026 SDG Olympiad selection process

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Drip Tailors earned its place at the Regional Championships after being selected as one of the Top 3 startups in the Hult Prize South Africa 2026 SDG Olympiad.

global competition finalNot applicable

Advancement to the SDG Olympiad Global Finals in Switzerland

Winning teams from the regional championships qualify to represent their country in the global finals, where they compete for a prize of $1 million and gain international exposure.

Who it is for: winning student entrepreneurs from the regional championship
How to act on it: Successfully compete in the regional event in Kenya and be selected as a finalist

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The founders of Drip Tailors returned home triumphant and will now proceed to the global finals in Switzerland in November, where they will compete for $1 million.

Facts

Reference

https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/general-news/2026/2026-09/student-entrepreneurs-focus-on-sdgs-.html

Key Takeaways

2026
SDG Olympiad
Kenya
Switzerland
Drip Tailors
Hult Prize South Africa 2026 SDG Olympiad
$1 million
November 2026
Wits E-Hub
Barnato Residence
Brain Makofane
Refilwe Monyela
Success Mlangeni
University of the Witwatersrand
Hult Prize South Africa 2026 SDG Olympiad
Schneider Electric Battery Innovation Enactus Challenge
Wits E-Hub
BioWatt Innovations
Drip Tailors
Barnato Residence