Captions:
Photo1: Leon Uys of North-West University won the 2024 Greenovate Property Award presented by Lisa Reynolds, CEO of the Green Building Council of South Africa, and Engelbert Binedell, COO of Growthpoint Properties.
Photo 2(L-R): Lisa Reynolds, CEO of the Green Building Council of South Africa, with Nosipho Hadebe and Masego Mngomezulu of the University of Pretoria, who won the 2024 Greenovate IFC Award, pictured with Yayeri Kisaame National Program Officer of Private Sector Development within the Swiss Economic Cooperation Development (SECO) and Engelbert Binedell, COO of Growthpoint Properties.
The 2024 Greenovate Awards have once again highlighted the remarkable ingenuity of South African university students in developing sustainable solutions for the built environment. This annual competition, a partnership between Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT) and the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA), challenges students to address real-world obstacles in property and engineering with cutting-edge green thinking.
This year's awards saw 23 students from eight universities participate, submitting projects that ranged from finding new uses for manganese mining by-products in construction materials to keeping buildings cool inside with biomimicry, the circular economy potential in the construction industry and even making 3D printing more environmentally sustainable. The winners were announced at a gala dinner held at The Galleria in Sandton.
In the engineering category, North-West University received top honours for a project on compact filament production for 3D printing. University of Cape Town (UCT) claimed second place with a project on termite-mound-inspired energy-saving building design, and Stellenbosch University took third with a solution that reduces traffic in the town.
The Property category saw Nelson Mandela University win the top spot with the project on carbon management implementation for quantity surveying professional practice and University of Pretoria took second for exploring the role manganese mining by-products can play in sustainable property development. Two UCT teams took joint took third place with their focus on the impacts of green building certification on different aspects of real estate.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiency (EDGE) Award was presented to Nosipho Hadebe and Masego Mngomezulu from University of Pretoria for their work on how timber construction in extreme conditions and remote locations impacts indoor air quality.
“In an industry with tremendous power for positive environmental impact that is seeking sustainability solutions, the creativity and passion of these students shines through,” says Engelbert Binedell, Chief Operating Officer of Growthpoint Properties. “Greenovate isn't just an awards programme - it's a catalyst, introducing top young talent to cutting-edge sustainability concepts and connecting them with industry visionaries. This is more than career development; Greenovate expands South Africa’ green talent pool for Growthpoint, the property sector, the green building movement and country as a whole. The future of sustainable development starts here.”
“The Green Building Council South Africa is consistently proud to partner with Growthpoint in the Greenovate competition and awards. But more than that, we enjoy our participation as mentors and judges and being part of the celebration during the awards event. The students inspire us with their vision, enthusiasm and innovation. Greenovate is indeed a catalyst towards the actualisation of green jobs in an innovative green economy within the built environment,” says Lisa Reynolds CEO, GBCSA.
Prizes to advance planet purpose
The top three winners of both categories received a share ofR142,000 in total prize money, and the Greenovate. Additional prizes included EDGE training and certification and tickets to the GBCSA Convention, which includes opportunities to present and showcase winning solutions.
Advantageously, participants get access to valuable mentorship, networking opportunities and expert-led workshops. They gain access to knowledge and resources needed to turn their research into practical products or services for the property industry. This experience fosters lasting networks and partnerships among participants.
Mentorship from market leaders
This year’s mentors for the property stream included Marlene Senne and Abigail Godsell of GBCSA, Iphendule Ndzipho and Hlologelo Manthose of WSP, Wardah Peters of Solid Green Consulting, Mapula Matlakala of African Bank, and Siphesihle Mankahla of EPMO. Engineering stream mentors included Alex Varughese of GBCSA, Mary Anne Fetcher of Zutari, Makhosazana Mthethwa and Thato Molapo of Solid Green Consulting, Tumanga Qholosha of Blackstone Design Consulting, and Kutlwano Dikgwatlhe of Joburg Water.
A panel of change-making judges
The 2024 judges for the property category included Tsholofelo Makgwa of the City of Tshwane, Jennifer Lombard of GBCSA, Kushinga Kambarami of IFC, Adrie Fourie of Solid Green and Brian Unsted of Liberty2Degrees. Judges for the engineering category included Mike Aldous of MPAMOT, Dash Coville of GBCSA, Werner van Antwerpen of Growthpoint Properties, Mischa Tessendorf of Attacq Limited.
The innovating, planet-shaping 2024 Greenovate Student Awards winners:
ENGINEERING WINNERS:
1st – Leon Uys, North-West University: Compact filament production plant for sustainable 3D printing.
2nd – Jacqui Hully, University of Cape Town: Thermal design and analysis of termite-mound-inspired energy saving buildings.
3rd – Sebastiaan Whitward, Stellenbosch University: An optimist's solution to Stellenbosch's high influx of commuters.
PROPERTY WINNERS:
1st – Dylan Minaar, Nelson Mandela University: Exploring carbon management implementation for quantity surveying professional practice in South Africa.
2nd – Liam Galloti and Neil Johnston, University of Pretoria: Exploring sustainable housing solutions in Hotazel using mining by-products.
3rd – Oratile Masia and Mihlali Solombela, University of Cape Town: An examination of the impact of green certification on valuation variables and office real estate valuation determination.
3rd – Paige Waberski and Kiah Wallace, University of Cape Town: The investigation into the impact of the Green Star Existing Building Performance (EBP) tool on the office real estate sector in South Africa.
IFC EDGE PRIZE – Nosipho Hadebe Masego Mngomezulu, University of Pretoria: Indoor environmental quality improvement through timber construction in extreme environments and remote locations.
Students from all South African universities are invited to participate in the Greenovate Awards and can register at https://www.greenovatecompetition.co.za/register/
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ABOUT GROWTHPOINT PROPERTIES:
Growthpoint Properties (JSE: GRT) creates space to thrive with innovative and sustainable property solutions in environmentally friendly buildings while improving the social and material well-being of individuals and communities. Growthpoint is South Africa’s leading primary JSE-listed REIT. It is an international property company invested in real estate and communities in South Africa and across the African continent, Australia, the UK and Eastern Europe. Growthpoint is at the forefront of environmental innovation in the property sector in South Africa. Visit growthpoint.co.za for more information. Connect with Growthpoint on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.
ABOUT GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL SOUTH AFRICA:
The Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) is a member-based organisation focused on transforming the built environment into a place where people and planet thrive. We advocate for all buildings and precincts to be designed, built, and operated in an environmentally sustainable manner. GBCSA provides green building certification and sustainability training for the built environment and all stakeholders within the built environment. GBCSA certifies buildings through the Green Star Africa rating system, which is a localised version of Green Star, as well as Net Zero and EDGE rating systems.
ABOUT GREENOVATE:
A Growthpoint initiative in partnership with the GBCSA, these awards are designed to develop and encourage young talent. They expose university students and proptech start-ups to key sustainability concerns within the industry while introducing the industry to up-and-coming talent. The aim of the awards is for students and entrepreneurial innovators to learn about green building and sustainability early in their careers and enter the market as advocates for green building with a passion for creating better, more sustainable cities, towns and neighbourhoods. Visit https://www.greenovatecompetition.co.za/ to learn more.
RELEASED BY CATCHWORDS FOR:
Growthpoint Properties Limited
Cindi-Leigh Breed
Head, Marketing & Communication
Tel: +27 (0) 11 944 6288
For more information or to book an interview, kindly contact Bronwen Noble at 083 453 6668 or bronwen@catchwords.co.za.
