The Capricorn Foundation Food Waste Challenge has shortlisted five Namibian social entrepreneurs to vie for the best project on 22 June.
Many entries were received, with 152 were from Namibia and Botswana. All five shortlisted participants are from Namibia.
They will present their business ideas to the challenge’s judges in an attempt to walk away with the N$100 000 cash prize and a brand package valued at N$50 000 from Synergi.
The five shortlisted entrants are Impact Tank Analysis Foundation, SuperFly Bio Converters, Ndinandali Farm, Nova Research Consultancy, and Eagle Foodhub App.
The challenge was for members of the public to submit self-sufficient social enterprise solutions to food insecurity and unemployment in Namibia.
The submitted proposals showed a lot of innovation and focused on the sustainability of food resources, ensuring longer shelf life, the preservation of nutritional value, and additional protein sources.
The final round of the challenge will take place as a live event, called ‘The Eagles’ Den’, and participants will in the meantime receive mentoring from Business Box to prepare for the final round at The Eagles’ Den.
The winner of the challenge will be announced by 13 July, three weeks after evaluation.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for social entrepreneurs to get help to establish and grow their businesses.
The exposure at Business Box and The Eagles’ Den will help them flex their entrepreneurial muscles to promote and sell their business ideas to potential investors and showcase their businesses to potential employees, clients, and investors.
“By sharing their stories, they will inspire fellow Namibians to also take action. This already makes all of them winners, irrespective of whether they win the grand prize or not,” says Rikus Grobler, Capricorn’s challenge coordinator.
These finalists include The Impact Tank Analysis Foundation from Windhoek, which submitted an idea of making compost from food waste from households, retail establishments, and the food service industry, using iCompost technology that breaks down organic waste in six hours.
Johanna Shihepo is the team leader.
SuperFly Bio Converters CC, also from Windhoek, focuses on food waste recycling, sustainable insect protein products, and natural fertiliser.
Team leader Oliver Bause says insect protein is gaining acceptance worldwide as a food source.
“It is a good natural source of natural protein for other common animal proteins consumed by people such as fish, poultry, and pork.”
Ndinandali Farm of Opuwo is a pioneer in preserving the nutritional value of fresh produce, while extending its shelf life.
“We developed a unique way to revolutionise marketing and distributing our crops, resulting in preserved products retaining their original taste, nutritional value and quality,” says Ndasilohenda Katangolo-Nakashwa from the farm.
Nova Research Consultancy of Walvis Bay aims to eradicate hunger and poverty with seafood.
According to Victoria Erasmus, the entity wants to set up a workstation that will eventually become a factory, and use seafood heads and livers to produce food products for human consumption.
Eddy Ngonga of Eagle Foodhub App from Rundu proposes enabling restaurants, shops, and individuals to donate surplus food through an app and web platform, connecting them with food shelters, orphanages, and those in need.
Food waste has become a global issue that affects not only the economy, but also the environment.
According to the United Nations, one third of all food produced globally is wasted, while over 800 million people worldwide suffer from hunger.
This wastage has significant social and economic implications, including a loss of resources, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and reduced food security.
The Capricorn Foundation is running the competition for the second consecutive year.
Last year, Sara Ekondo of Awana Foods won first place.
– email: bottomline@namibian.com.na
