Catalysts for a BRIGHTER FUTURE

The annual Greenovate competition – a partnership between Growthpoint Properties and Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) since 2015 – challenges students to address real-world obstacles in property and engineering with cutting-edge green thinking.

The Greenovate Award winners for 2024 were announced at a gala dinner held at The Galleria in Sandton. An iconic South African built environment, the centre of Sandton has the highest concentration of certified green buildings in Africa.

In this edition, 23 students from eight universities participated, submitting projects that ranged from finding new uses for manganese mining by-products in construction materials and keeping buildings cool inside with biomimicry, to the construction industry’s circular economy potential and making 3D printing more environmentally sustainable.

The top three winners of both categories each received a share of R142 000 in total prize money. Additional prizes included EDGE training and certification, and tickets to the GBCSA annual green convention, which includes opportunities to present and showcase winning solutions.

Participants in the Greenovate Awards receive 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. The Greenovate experience fosters lasting networks and partnerships among participants.

Meet the 2024 Greenovate winners

+Impact chatted to the forward-thinking young students behind the winning Greenovate concepts.

North-West University (NWU) received top honours in the Engineering category 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 (SU) took third prize with a solution that reduces traffic in the town.

Nelson Mandela University (NMU) won the top spot in the Property category with a project on carbon management implementation for quantity surveying professional practice, and University of Pretoria (UP) won second place for exploring the role manganese mining by-products can play in sustainable property development. Two UCT teams took joint 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 of UP for their work on how timber construction in extreme conditions and remote locations impacts indoor air quality.

We asked these change-makers what winning a Greenovate Award means to them, and how it impacts their careers and academic pursuits.

ENGINEERING CATEGORY AWARDS

First prize: Leon Uys – NWU
Project: Compact filament production plant for sustainable 3D printing

“Winning the 2024 Greenovate Award has been an incredible honour and a pivotal moment in my academic and professional journey. This recognition reinforces my belief that innovative engineering can drive sustainability, inspiring me to advance my project from a concept to a full-scale production solution.
“The award has motivated me to deepen my research into sustainable manufacturing and improve my designs for recycling and 3D printing technologies. In addition, the opportunity to participate in a GBCSA-accredited course will expand my understanding of renewable practices in the construction industry, empowering me to make a greater impact in sustainable development and engineering.”

Second prize: Jacqui Hulley – UCT
Project: Thermal design and analysis of termite-mound-inspired energy-saving buildings

“Biomimicry has long been a passion of mine, and conducting research in this field and presenting it to the Greenovate judges was an incredible experience. Being a finalist and placing second was an honour, boosting my confidence, especially among such talented peers. This competition is hugely significant for my career in sustainable building, enhancing my presentation skills and connecting me with like-minded individuals. As part of my prize, I received a free course with GBCSA and plan to take the Net-Zero Accredited Professional course to deepen my knowledge and boost my employability.”

Third prize: Sebastiaan Whitward – SU
Project: An optimist’s solution to Stellenbosch’s high influx of commuters

“Participating in the Greenovate competition and winning this award were truly inspiring, opening my eyes to the dedicated individuals working towards creating a more sustainable future.
“As a person who grew up with a passion for sustainability, seeing the community grow and expand in the engineering industry is phenomenal. This experience has encouraged me to continue my research in the transport engineering field, working towards transport systems that are human-centric and put the planet first.”

PROPERTY CATEGORY AWARDS

First prize: Dylan Minnaar – NMU
Project: Exploring carbon management implementation for quantity surveying professional practice in South Africa

“What an honour and privilege it was to win the Greenovate Award – an incredibly proud moment for me and Nelson Mandela University. This recognition highlights the growing demand for carbon management in the quantity surveying profession. It has inspired me to further explore sustainable practices in my academic studies and career, shaping my future work in the field.”

Second prize: Liam Galloti and Neil Johnston – UP
Project: Exploring sustainable housing solutions in Hotazel using mining by-products

LG: “Winning a Greenovate Award is a milestone in my academic journey, symbolising the completion of passion, innovation and dedication to sustainability. It affirms my commitment to driving positive change in the built environment and inspires me to push boundaries in creating impactful solutions.

“This recognition has opened doors to invaluable networks and opportunities, driving my ambition to excel as a leader in sustainable development. The award motivates me to pursue deeper research, embrace bold ideas and contribute meaningfully to a greener future. It’s a testament to hard work and a powerful catalyst for my continued growth.”

NJ: “Winning this prize was an unexpected yet deeply rewarding experience. It fills me with pride and motivates me to prioritise sustainable practices throughout my career. I hope to influence my organisation’s future operations, advocating for more environmentally responsible approaches.
“Contractors play a pivotal role in shaping sustainability within the built environment, and I aspire to be a driving force behind meaningful environmental decisions in the industry.”

Joint third prize: Oratile Masia and Mihlali Solombela – UCT
Project: An examination of the impact of green certification on valuation variables and office real estate valuation determination

OM: “The Greenovate award affirmed the dedication
and hard work I put into my thesis throughout the year.
This achievement reflects my passion for driving meaningful change regarding sustainability in the built environment. As a recent graduate, it not only motivates me to keep innovating but also serves as a platform to open doors to opportunities with organisations that share my values.”

MS: “Winning a Greenovate Award is like fitting the final piece in a complex puzzle. It feels like a tangible reward for all the countless hours spent brainstorming, reading, writing and refining our research project. In addition, it is a testament to our endurance throughout the year and validates our hard work and dedication, as well as the support we received. In a professional sense, winning Greenovate has solidified my passion for integrating sustainability in the built environment.”

Joint third prize: Paige Waberski and Kiah Wallace – UCT
Project: An investigation into the impact of the Green Star Existing Building Performance (EBP) tool on the office real estate sector in South Africa

PW: “Being selected as one of the top 10 finalists in the Greenovate competition was a huge privilege, and winning the Greenovate award the ‘cherry on top’. My passion for our topic was shown in our work and this made winning the award so much more rewarding. This has not only given me confidence in my ability to go out and make a difference in the industry but also helps differentiate me from other fresh graduates. Achieving this award has helped me narrow my path towards my passion of sustainability within the property industry.”

KW: “Winning a Greenovate Award was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It pushed me far out of my comfort zone. I was so nervous about the event, but I told myself to face my fears and just go for it. Looking back, I’m so glad I did because we came third. Not only did it affirm my passion for sustainability in property, but it also introduced me to incredible people and connections who inspire me to aim higher.
The experience has shaped my career goals and made me even more determined to make impactful change in the industry through innovative and sustainable practices. Thank you to GBCSA and Growthpoint for the incredible event; it was an amazing experience.”

IFC EDGE PRIZE

Winners: Nosipho Hadebe and Masego Mngomezulu – UP
Project: Indoor environmental quality improvement through timber construction in extreme environments and remote locations

NH: “This is such an exciting achievement, which shows my passion for sustainability and innovation in the built environment. It’s amazing to see our ideas making a difference by solving environmental challenges and adding value to projects. This award has really boosted my confidence and inspired me to bring more sustainable practices into quantity surveying and focus on green construction methods in my studies.”

MM: “It was an honour to win the Greenovate EDGE IFC Prize. This achievement validated my interest and commitment to sustainable building practices, which are often seen as inferior. As a young, black woman, I am thrilled to become an EDGE expert, as this certification will further open my eyes to what it means to design and build green, and make practical green recommendations on future construction projects very soon. EDGE Experts are rare in the industry which will only set me apart in my career. Formalities aside, I must say winning this award was simply fabulous. Chef’s kiss.”

https://greenovatecompetition.co.za/