SWEEP EDHE

👏 Happening later TODAY!

The journey begins for 499 shortlisted students from across South Africa’s 26 public universities as they enter the first phase of the Waste Innovation Challenge ♻️

Led by the Mr Price Foundation in partnership with Universities South Africa (EDHE), this national initiative is empowering young innovators to turn plastic waste into viable business solutions, driving green entrepreneurship and reimagining the circular economy.

Over the coming weeks, participants will receive training in:
💡 Waste-to-value business models
🌍 Circular economy principles
📊 Product development & pitching

This is where ideas start becoming enterprises, and where the next generation of green entrepreneurs takes shape.

Stay tuned as the journey unfolds. 🔥

price foundation waste

📣 Join us for the EDHE Absa Entrepreneurship InnoVarsity 2026 Masterclasses! 💰

These sessions will provide a clear overview of the category criteria, terms and conditions, and will guide student entrepreneurs on submitting their entries.

🗓️Today, 28 April 2026 we will host 2 sessions.
- ✍️1st Session: Innovative Industries at 12:00 – 13:00
- ✍️ 2nd Session: Existing Business-Tech at 15:00 – 16:00

🎯Register on the link below to receive Zoom details: https://forms.office.com/r/zhwcGZxfTT

🚀 2 DAYS TO GO!

The EDHE Absa Entrepreneurship InnoVarsity 2026 launches this Thursday, 16 April from 10:00 🔥

You can be part of the excitement LIVE from wherever you are!

💡 Don’t miss it — register to watch online:
👉 Link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=yHlg92iFL0mQrugUqFZv3cYQSwEBAv5FgjpFi-LhojpUN09QRDhKS0ZVQ1lWWjVNVUFDMEgySTBXSC4u

Absa South Africa Foundation

🌸 International Women’s Day 2026 |
At the Student Women Economic Empowerment Programme (SWEEP), we believe that when women uplift one another, we all rise.

✨ Give time, gain sisterhood.
✨ Give advice, gain mentorship.
✨ Give courage, gain confidence.
✨ Give knowledge, gain leadership.
✨ Give opportunity, gain economic empowerment.

Through SWEEP, student women across South Africa are building networks, sharing wisdom, and creating pathways for each other to thrive, not only as entrepreneurs but as leaders shaping the future.

Because sometimes the most powerful investment a woman can make… is in another woman. 💜

EmpoweredWomenEmpowerWomen 🌍

As we celebrate Christmas and Family Day 🎄, we are reminded that community is built in the quiet moments, around shared meals, stories, laughter, and simply being present with those who matter most.

From all of us at EDHE, we wish you a day filled with warmth, rest, and meaningful connection 🤝. May this time with family and loved ones renew your spirit and remind you that you are part of a wider community that believes in people, purpose and possibility 💫

Wishing you a peaceful and love-filled Christmas ✨

As we shut down for the festive season, let us pause to celebrate the year behind us and reflect on the journey shared. ✨

We wish our community a joyful and restful holiday period, and we look forward to opening on 5 January.🎄

In solidarity with the Purple Protest organised by Women For Change this Friday, we have adapted the SWEEP logo to purple.

As EDHE, we stand for safer environments, empowered women, and communities where every voice matters.

If you would like to show your support, feel free to use the purple SWEEP logo on your platforms this week.

Together, we raise awareness. Together, we say enough.💜

🚨 Update on the EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge Timeline🚨

We know many of you have been eagerly waiting for the announcement of the Top 20 innovations, and we appreciate your patience. 🙏

To ensure that this process is conducted fairly, transparently, and in line with the established procedures, we have had to adjust the competition dates. The integrity of this Challenge is our top priority, and we want every submission to receive the careful consideration it deserves.

We are still in Phase 6 of the updated timeline:
✨ Public announcement of the Top 20 innovations: 26 September 2025
✨ Bootcamp: 26 – 27 September 2025

The team will be contacting the shortlisted 20 finalists via email by Friday, 19 September.

Here’s a look at the updated phases of the Challenge:
1️⃣ Awareness campaign (17 – 24 June)
2️⃣ Official Launch (25 June)
3️⃣ Entries (25 June – 8 August)
4️⃣ University shortlisting: Top 5 per university (11 – 15 August)
5️⃣ EDHE review: Top 130 → Top 50 (29 Aug – 5 Sept)
6️⃣ Top 50 evaluations → Top 20 (8 – 19 Sept)
7️⃣ Announcement of Top 20 & Bootcamp (26 – 27 Sept)
8️⃣ Mentorship Programme for the Top 20 (29 Sept – 14 Nov)
9️⃣ Finals & Awards Event – Dates to be confirmed – Gauteng
🔟 Incubation for the Top 5 winners (Dec 2025 – Mar/Apr 2026)

We remain inspired by the passion, creativity, and innovation of every student and alumnus who entered.

💡 The wait has been long, but it will be worth it. Together, we are building an ecosystem of innovation that is fair, transparent, and transformative.
Thank you for walking this journey with us.

👉 Stay tuned for the Top 20 announcement on 26 September.