‘Nutty’ KZN learners lead the way for youngsters this Earth Day

Nutty KZN Learners Lead the Way for Youngsters This Earth Day

This Earth Day, a group of KwaZulu-Natal schoolgirls are proving that commitment and perseverance are key ingredients to saving the planet. Despite the challenges of running a business while completing matric, three Grade 12 learners at Sibusisiwe Comp-Tech High School are determined to make their eco-friendly business a success. Their innovative eco-coal concept won them first place in Primestars’ 2022 STEP UP 2A GREEN STARTUP competition, and they hope to inspire other learners to follow in their footsteps.

The Winning Concept

Tiffany Ogbonnaya, Zanele Khwela, and Thulile Zikali’s eco-coal concept uses Marula nuts as a fuel source. The trio has been working hard to turn their idea into a viable business. During the 2022 STEP UP 2A GREEN START UP Bootcamp, the finalists were coached on the challenges they would face as business owners. Despite the challenges, the three learners are committed to their entrepreneurial journey.

“We are committed to being entrepreneurs and are prepared to give up the little time and energy we have and put it into the business,” says Tiffany Ogbonnaya.

Entrepreneurship Requires Sacrifice

The matric workload has slowed progress, but the trio is determined to make their business a success, even if it means sacrificing their time and energy. Winning first place in the competition earned them R20,000 in start-up capital, enabling them to start production and think about marketing the business. Their first step was finding eco-friendly, easily recyclable packaging, in line with the Step Up competition’s goal of solving environmental issues.

Challenges Along the Way

Like any business, there are unexpected hiccups. “Processing the nuts had been a very slow process as there are so many of them. We also had to do it perfectly at a given time, even making sure that we do not produce a lot of carbon emissions in the process of processing the nuts,” says Ogbonnaya.

Transforming the Landscape for Young People in South Africa

STEP UP 2A GREEN START UP is a programme that empowers young people to identify and seize opportunities in the green economy, cultivating a culture and mindset of entrepreneurship. This programme equips young people with the necessary skills and knowledge to create innovative solutions for environmental challenges in their communities. The 2023 programme will start in August with a new cohort of participating schools.

“At Primestars, we are focused on providing youth-development programmes that make a real difference in young lives, be it in the form of Maths and Science revision lessons, initiatives that address the scourge of gender-based violence – or in this case, the provision of skills that can provide learners with the tools to create their businesses that can both provide an income and help the environment,” says Primestars MD Martin Sweet.

A Chance to Represent South Africa

The three girls are also looking forward to representing South Africa at the Students for Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) Global World Cup later this year, as part of their first-place prize in the STEP UP 2A GREEN START UP competition. Despite the demands of their matric year, these learners prove that anyone can make a difference with the right attitude, hard work, and determination.

Conclusion

The three KZN schoolgirls have proven that it takes a lot of effort and determination to commit to saving the planet, even while juggling the demands of school and entrepreneurship. Their eco-coal concept is a testament to their passion for sustainability and their dedication to building a better future for all. As we celebrate Earth Day, let us take inspiration from these young entrepreneurs and do our part in protecting our planet.