16 July 2012
UKZN STUDENTS TO REPRESENT SOUTH AFRICA
The University of KwaZulu-Natal Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) team has been selected to represent South Africa in Washington DC at the annual International Competition which will be held from 30 September to 2 October this year. The UKZN SIFE team scooped honours at 2012 SIFE South Africa National Competition held at the Sandton Convention Centre.
The SIFE University of KwaZulu-Natal team returned to KwaZulu-Natal as 5 time winners – the announcement was made by SIFE SA this week. “We are ecstatic with the performance of our SIFE team”, said Ms Nomonde Mbadi, Executive Director Corporate Relations. Our SIFE students, have over the years, consistently excelled to reach great heights and participate at a global level. The students’ performance has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to make a difference to the future development of our country. We are indeed very proud of our team.”
UKZN SIFE were selected for their development and implementation of outstanding sustainable community outreach projects and will compete against winning teams from 38 countries when they will represent South Africa at the 2012 SIFE World Cup in Washington D.C. The projects are structured to ensure they are sustainable and are transferring skills, knowledge or resources to communities in a way that the people are empowered and take ownership of the ventures.
In 2011 SIFE-UKZN reached the semi-finals at the World Cup competition held in Malaysia last year and ranked in the top 16 out of more than 1 500 teams worldwide.
The champion team competed against 25 other higher education institutions to win the title of the 2012 SIFE SA National Champions. The University of Zululand SIFE team was awarded second place (for the third year), while the University of Pretoria SIFE team came third and the University of Forth Hare was placed fourth – for a second year.
Eight (8) SIFE teams advanced from the four (4) Opening Rounds to the two (2) Semi-Final rounds, of which the 4 mentioned above, advanced to the Final Round.
The following 4 teams were placed 5th in the overall competition:
· Durban University of Technology
· Rhodes University
· Tshwane University of Technology
· University of the Witwatersrand
SIFE SA hosted the 2012 SIFE SA National Competition over two days and 26 out of 27 higher education institutions that are enrolled in the SIFE Programme, participated this year. Sponsored by Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd and HSBC Africa, the event was hosted at Sandton Convention Centre.
Close to 1000 people attended this year’s competition.
SIFE is an international non-profit organization active on more than 1,600 university campuses in 39 countries.
The keynote address (attached) delivered by the Founder of Internet Solutions and Moviemaker Ronnie Apteker, kept the audience in awe.
End.
Issued by: Nomonde Mbadi
Executive Director: Corporate Communications
Enquiries:
Thembalethu Mkhize (Mr.)
SIFE-UKZN President
South Africa
Bachelor of Education [4th yr]
Mobile: +27(0)76 798 2118
Tel: +27(0)31260 3536
Alt Mobile:+27(0)73 293 1662
Fax: +27(0)86 563 3058
E-mail:
Alt E-mail: