Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa's Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme celebrates 20 graduates and crowns the winner of its tech start-up pitchathon
The graduates received their certificates of completion at Liquid's head office in Johannesburg on 25 June. The event culminated in four technology start-ups pitching their businesses to a panel of industry judges. ProLink (https://apo-opa.co/44AgPrA), a digital platform for connecting users with verified contractors in Mthatha, emerged as the winning start-up, securing R100,000 in seed funding and a 12-month business support package.
'This programme proves the impact of investing intentionally in South Africa's youth. By equipping young people with future-fit skills and entrepreneurial capabilities, Cassava Technologies is proud to support grassroots innovation that addresses real-world challenges. For us, it's about empowering the country's youth, not only to participate in the digital future, but actively shape it. Well done to all the graduates and the pitching start-ups, and congratulations to ProLink,' said Ziaad Suleman, CEO of Cassava Technologies in South Africa and Botswana.
The programme has already begun delivering tangible results. ProLink has created two new employment opportunities, and Okuhle Badli, COO of Otomex Innovations and founder of Nhanha Technologies, has been appointed Co-Chair for AI, Digital Innovation, Education, and Future of Work for Y20 South Africa 2025, the official youth engagement group of the G20.
'This graduation and pitchathon represent the unlocking of potential and the enabling of a generation of digital entrepreneurs. These young innovators are building solutions that have the potential to scale nationally and across the continent. Along with our implementation partner Deviare, Liquid South Africa is proud to provide the resources to enable this,' said Valencia Risaba, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa.
The other start-ups pitching their businesses were Otomex Innovations, which leverages AI to support mental health and well-being; The Eye of Tech, which expands access to digital skills in rural areas; and HerdTrace, a female-led agritech solution transforming livestock management.
Participants received MICTSETA-accredited training in artificial intelligence and software development, along with comprehensive pre-incubation support designed to translate innovative ideas into commercially viable enterprises. All the start-ups secured Azure credits via the Microsoft Founders Hub.
Initiatives like the Youth Tech Entrepreneurship Programme underscore Liquid South Africa's unwavering commitment to equipping young people with the technical and business skills necessary to thrive in the digital future. As South Africa celebrates Youth Month, it also represents a firm commitment to ensure that the country's youth can contribute meaningfully to the empowerment of themselves and their communities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.
About Liquid Intelligent Technologies:
Liquid Intelligent Technologies is a business of Cassava Technologies (Cassava), a technology company of African heritage with operations in 40-plus markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, where the Cassava group companies operate. Liquid has firmly established itself as the leading provider of pan-African digital infrastructure with a 110,000 km-long fibre broadband network and satellite connectivity that provides high-speed access to the Internet anywhere in Africa. Liquid is also leveraging its digital network to provide Cloud and Cyber Security solutions through strategic partnerships with leading global players. Liquid is a comprehensive technology solutions group that provides customised digital solutions to public and private sector enterprises and SMEs across the continent.
For more information, visit https://www.Liquid.Tech/.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
7 hours ago
- Zawya
Royal HaskoningDHV's South Africa arm rebrands as Atana
The South African arm of Netherlands-based engineering consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV has rebranded as Atana. The rebrand is the result of a group of, mostly, South African engineering professionals who bought a controlling margin of the consultancy in SA. The group – management and employees of the company – now owns 74% of what was Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa, with the Dutch business retaining 26% ownership. The South African operation of Haskoning became an independent company, owned by employees and local management on 29 February 2024. 'This means that Atana is an independent, majority African-owned firm whose autonomy is a significant competitive advantage across the African continent, allowing it to be more responsive to local market demands,' says Atana CEO Anke Mastenbroek. Atana is a level one broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) company. 'Our rebrand as Atana highlights our strong focus on the pan-African market while building on 103 years of experience,' says Mastenbroek. The South African company remains Haskoning's (formerly Royal HaskoningDHV) strategic partner in Africa and some of its practice areas will continue to deliver on global projects, specifically Atana's data centre, light industry, climate resilience and aviation divisions. 'Atana is filled with talented people committed to doing challenging work that makes a difference to South Africa, Africa and the globe. We want a world that is better, fairer and greener, so that everyone enjoys a more resilient society,' she says. The company that later became Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa was founded in Johannesburg in 1922 as Stewart Scott International. It gained significant international expertise when DHV Group acquired a majority shareholding in 2006. In 2012, DHV and Royal Haskoning merged and became Royal HaskoningDHV South Africa. 'Now, as Atana, we are enthusiastically returning to our African roots,' says Mastenbroek. The name Atana is inspired by the Shona word zvakabatana, which means 'closely connected' . Atana's level 1 B-BBEE status demonstrates its commitment to fostering transformation throughout its operations, says Mastenbroek. 'Transformation at Atana is not a symbol; it's a shift that's meaningful, measurable and mission-led. Atana is built on empowerment, inclusion and impactful participation in South Africa's and Africa's economic future.'
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Zawya
AfDB awards South Africa $1mln grant to boost green jobs
South Africa is facing a growing youth unemployment crisis. But developing its green economy may be a way out. Recently, the African Development Bank (AfDB) awarded South Africa's National Business Initiative (NBI) a $1m grant to establish a skills ecosystem that will provide the country's young people with emerging job opportunities in the green economy. Sustainable job creation The funding will support the country's Just Energy Transition Skilling for Employment Programme (JET SEP), led by the National Business Initiative in partnership with the management consultancy Boston Consulting Group. The initiative coordinates private sector efforts to prepare the workforce for the energy transition, in tandem with the government's JET Skilling Implementation Plan, focused on inclusive workforce development and sustainable job creation. Specifically, the grant will finance the programme's first phase, including feasibility studies for the design of skills development zones and capacity building within the public technical and vocational education and training system. Skills development zones will anchor the delivery of inclusive skills and foster local economic growth during the country's just-energy transition. Launched in 2024 and endorsed by the JET Project Management Unit under the presidency of the Government of South Africa, JET SEP has garnered support from over 30 influential South African CEOs, public sector leaders, and civil society leaders in the past year. Investing in energy The grant builds on the African Development Bank's significant investment in South Africa's energy sector. Since 2007, the bank has invested $3.4bn to support energy infrastructure, including renewable energy. The current grant will support the government's efforts to identify the skills needed for the sector, with a particular focus on renewable energy. Shameela Soobramoney, CEO of the National Business Initiative, said: 'This grant from the African Development Bank is a critical step toward turning vision into action, strengthening the national skills system, and ensuring that all South Africans are equipped to seize new opportunities in the green economy. 'We are proud to continue working alongside our partners and stakeholders to build an inclusive future-ready workforce and to stimulate local economies in a way that leaves no one behind.'
Zawya
8 hours ago
- Zawya
Protecting the future of South African rail network requires private participation
South Africa's freight rail network is under strain, yet it remains one of the country's greatest opportunities for economic renewal and industrial growth. For investors, freight users, and logistics specialists, this is a chance to help rebuild a critical national asset while unlocking long-term value in a sector essential to the country's recovery. Source: jplenio1 via Freepik On the Northern Corridor alone, the coal artery to Richards Bay, Transnet estimates R13bn is needed for critical maintenance. That's 10% of its entire debt book. And in just the next fiscal year, R2bn is required to restore even basic functionality. Transnet cannot fund this rehabilitation. Its five-year capital requirement is estimated at around R65bn, money it doesn't have. To support this, the government in May approved a R51bn guarantee facility: R41 billion to meet Transnet's funding needs over the next two years, and R10bn for liquidity support. This comes barely 18 months after a previous R47bn guarantee, underscoring how desperate the situation is. With Transnet struggling and the government under pressure, it was clear that something needed to change. Transnet and the Department of Transport have finally acknowledged that they cannot fix the system alone, and are calling for co-investment and co-operation. This is a major shift. Opening the doors to private sector participation not only aims to revitalise the rail network, restoring export capacity, but also provides the opportunity to revive mining communities, attract investment, and enhance national competitiveness. Private sector participation In March 2025, Transnet issued a Request for Information (RFI) to gauge private sector interest in freight rail and port logistics. Three priority corridors are up for revival: • Coal to Richards Bay • Iron ore to Saldanha • Container traffic to Durban An accompanying Request for Proposal (RFP) is due later this year with additional RFIs, including for manganese and passenger rail corridors, on the horizon. For the mining sector and freight operators, the imperative to engage is both strategic and financial. Involvement in the rail network and operations isn't just about moving goods. It's about de-risking operations, ensuring cost efficiency, and unlocking long-term returns through access to mission-critical infrastructure. The government has made clear that while the state will retain ownership of the rail network, operational control and financial input can be shared. To do so, there are various participation models, from track upgrades and terminal development to end-to-end corridor management. While the private sector could participate piecemeal in select parts of the rail network, we believe infrastructure rehabilitation must be approached as a whole. Fragmented efforts won't deliver the operational continuity, safety, and efficiency required; only a corridor-wide view can. Some stakeholders may choose to invest; others may wish to operate. What matters is alignment. Alignment of participants who can bring capital, capability and/or execution strengths to the table. No single entity can take on this scale of work alone, but the potential is already clear. During the RFI portal's open period, between 24 March and 9 May, the site drew 11,000 visits and generated 163 official responses to the RFI, the transport ministry revealed. The most effective influence will come from consortiums, blending the resources of miners, funders, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and logistics experts. Each must contribute more than just money. Deep expertise and delivery capacity will be critical. This all has to be collaborative. This is echoed by the industry players, who have made it clear that if they are to participate, there needs to be a fundamental mindset change. They want a say in how the railway line is funded, managed, and maintained. Without this level of system-wide influence, private players lack the investment security they desire, making participation far less attractive. The mining industry is not primarily motivated by financial gain from logistics operations; it wants predictability, efficiency, and transparency, which are all qualities currently in short supply. For freight users, the prize is a network that works: one that moves product efficiently to port, reduces reliance on road freight, and supports long-term growth. This is not just about trains. It's about national recovery. Decisions made over the next year will determine whether South Africa can restore lost export volumes, revive its mining heartlands, and reassert its economic potential. The forthcoming RFP is more than a procurement exercise; it's an opportunity to shape the future. The mining industry, investors and operators need to prepare now: understand the policy environment, assess the corridors, and consider where their strategic interests align. For the private sector, the moment to step in is now. Not to take over, but to build together. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
