UKZN Student at eThekwini Innovation Summit

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Third year Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) student Mr Brian Masondo represented UKZN at the Innovation Trek and Innovations Conference held during the eThekwini Innovation Summit in Durban.

The Innovation Trek comprises a  day’s outing at which five groups of students from public and private schools, and university and tertiary institutions are tasked with finding innovative ways to solve different issues faced by communities in the eThekwini areas with the solutions later put into practice in the communities. 

The chosen regions in eThekwini are – PINK (Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu), Rural ABM, Cato Manor, ITrump (Inner City) and the South Durban Basin. Each group on the trek was accompanied by a business expert in their field who assisted and guided them through the task.

Masondo’s team was tasked with devising strategies to assist the municipality to deal with pollution in the South Durban Basin area. Strategies included innovative ways to get rid of illegal dumping of waste by companies in that area, turning illegal dumping sites into a trading market for street vendors and getting the community involved in keeping the area pollution free.

Masondo was nominated to represent the University by the Dean and Head of the School of Accounting, Professor Anesh Singh, who described him as a student who is creative, hardworking, well-spoken and active in financial markets.

In a team which is currently leading in the National JSE Investment challenge, he is also in the top five academic performers in his class and is the class representative for two third year modules.

Masondo said the experience would not only enhance his studies but it also created a sense of community involvement.

‘Through becoming part of the solution to the city’s problems and meeting UKZN alumni who are involved in helping the community through the municipality I have learnt a lot about  why it is important to help the less privileged. This will really help me with my studies and my future career.’

-          Thandiwe Jumo