Today’s students, Tomorrow’s VISIONARIES

Originally conceived to bridge the gap between academia and industry, these annual awards – a partnership between Growthpoint Properties and Green Building Council South Africa (GBCSA) since 2015 – are now a well-established fixture in the sector, and Greenovate has grown into the country’s leading platform for student sustainability solutions. The Greenovate Award winners were announced at a gala dinner held in Sandton – an iconic South African built environment, the centre of Sandton has the highest concentration of certified green buildings in Africa.

In the 2025 edition, 29 students from eight universities participated, submitting projects on topics ranging from pee-cycling to the affordability of 3D-printed recycled concrete walls, how greenwashing influences building contractors, and how capital providers for affordable housing view green developments.

The top three winners in both categories received a share of nearly R150 000 in prize money. Additional prizes included GBCSA Accredited Professional (AP) Candidate courses and tickets to the annual GBCSA Convention, which includes opportunities to present and showcase winning solutions. The two new awards introduced this year – the Sustainability in Action Award and the Transformative Impact Award – focus on implementation potential and alignment with global ESG goals, are each worth R10 000 and are sponsored by Growthpoint.

Participants in the Greenovate Awards benefit from valuable mentorship, networking opportunities and expert-led workshops. They gain access to the knowledge and support needed to translate their research into practical products or services for the property industry. The programme also helps build lasting networks and partnerships among participants.

GREENOVATE 2025

ENGINEERING CATEGORY AWARDS

First prize: Aqeelah Sharief, UCT
Project: Exploring on-site nutrient recovery and water reuse at the Cape Town Stadium

AS: “Winning the Greenovate Award means so much to me, especially because my undergrad journey had its fair share of obstacles. Ending this journey on such a high note feels incredibly rewarding. I feel honoured and truly grateful. This recognition has boosted my confidence, opened doors to new academic and career opportunities, and has connected me with people in industry who are helping me grow. It’s given me real momentum as I move into the next stage of my career as a civil engineer.”

Second prize: Georgia Shear, UP
Project: Water sanitation system through compost heating

GS: “Winning this award encourages me by showing that my ideas for clean and green innovation are not only seen, but also valued. It proves that these concepts can grow into something greater than just ideas. This recognition motivates me to keep pushing forward, knowing there are many others who share my passion for caring for the Earth. It also excites me to explore the industries and communities built by like-minded and like-hearted people who are committed to sustainability. The award inspires me to continue contributing to a greener future and to stay engaged with those who are creating meaningful environmental change.”

Third prize: Sai’an Dhayaram, UP
Project: Performance of concrete incorporating high percentages of fly ash and slag

SD: “Achieving third place in the Engineering stream of the Greenovate Awards meant far more than receiving a prize. It affirmed that my research on sustainable construction, specifically low-carbon Portland cement concrete, holds real value for South Africa’s environmental future. It showed me that there is a strong and growing community committed to modernising our construction industry and reducing its environmental footprint. This recognition has strengthened my confidence as a young civil engineer, motivating me to deepen my academic focus on sustainable materials and pursue a career that drives meaningful, environmentally responsible change in the built environment.”

PROPERTY CATEGORY AWARDS

First prize: Justine Braaf and Benjamin van Rhyn, UCT
Project: An investigation into the financial benefits of water efficiency for EDGE residential units in the Western Cape

Justine and Benjamin also received IFC EDGE Award for this project.

JB: “Winning the Greenovate Award is something I could only have dreamed of at the start of 2025. To me, it affirms that emerging industry professionals can make a meaningful difference and that I, personally, have the ability to contribute through the work I put in. The experience has also connected me with both passionate peers and experienced leaders in the sustainability space. This award has opened the door to real-world opportunities, and I am deeply grateful and excited for what it will enable in my career.”

BvR: “Winning this Award is profoundly meaningful, reflecting the goal my research partner Justine Braaf and I set from the outset. The challenges we navigated strengthened our project and deepened our belief in its value. Our research shows how sustainability can unlock household savings that grow into real financial opportunities, revealing its wider social potential and the powerful overlap between sustainability and finance. Receiving both first at the Greenovate Awards and the IFC Prize has opened exciting opportunities to further our studies, expand our expertise and hopefully publish our dissertation. I’m energised to continue this journey as I step into a sustainability analyst role.”

Second prize: Anastacia Phalatse and Michael Walker, UP
Project: Using atmospheric water harvesting as an alternative to traditional water supply methods

AP: “Winning the Greenovate Award confirms my belief that quantity surveying must evolve to encompass the full lifecycle cost of sustainability. It affirms my dedication to promoting environmentally and socially responsible practices. This recognition proves the professional relevance and problem-solving success of our research in developing a practical solution for green building challenges. It eases important industry networking and solidifies my understanding of real-world commercial challenges, motivating further certifications and postgraduate studies.”

MW: “Winning this award means that the hard work done over the past year has paid off in the most impactful way. Being chosen to represent the University of Pretoria was already a significant achievement for my partner and myself, and winning an award means that we share something that very few will ever get to experience. In the industry, there is already a large push towards green building practices, so being able to be a part of this wave is exciting and humbling – being one of the thousands trying to improve the way we do business as construction professionals.”

Third prize: Samuel de Witt and Aiden Pringle, UCT
Project: Living walls in the Western Cape: the optimal model – a quantity surveyor’s perspective

SdW: “How would you quantify what it takes to win an award; what unit is there for sacrifice? I could talk about the many sleepless nights or countless hours of research, but I won’t, as I do not count them as a sacrifice – it was my passion, a labour of love. I am most grateful to my research partner Aiden, my supervisor Dr Rolien Terblanche and Growthpoint Properties. I hope to continue my award-winning research, both academically at a higher NQF level, in my career as an immovable asset manager for the Department of Infrastructure, and personally, to advance my passion: sustainable infrastructure as an asset class.”

AP: “Winning third place at the 2025 Greenovate Awards is an incredible honour that validates the commitment, creativity and perseverance behind my project. It has strengthened my belief that sustainability-focused innovation can drive real change, and it has opened doors to new academic and professional opportunities. The recognition has motivated me to pursue deeper research in environmentally responsible technologies while connecting with leaders who share the same vision. This award is not only shaping my career trajectory but also inspiring me to contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable future.”

TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT AWARD

Winner: Viwe Duma, UJ
Project: Perceptions of investors or funders of affordable housing on green developments and green certification

VD: “Winning a Greenovate Award means a great deal to me as a civil engineering graduate who is passionate about environmentally responsible infrastructure. This recognition has strengthened my commitment to advancing sustainable practices in the built environment. It has provided both the motivation and the platform to further explore how green development and certification impact SMMEs in property development – a topic I am eager to expand on. The award also supports my academic ambitions, as I will be pursuing my master’s degree in Sustainable Energy in 2026, where I hope to deepen my contribution to creating innovative, green and inclusive infrastructure solutions.”

SUSTAINABILITY IN ACTION AWARD

Winner: Hannah Counihan, SU
Project: Assessing non-stationary extreme rainfall and hydrological design implications in the Western Cape

HC: “Winning a Greenovate Award has affirmed my place in engineering and strengthened my confidence after five demanding years of studying. It shows me that my work has real value and that I can contribute meaningfully to the profession. The recognition has broadened my academic opportunities, including the possibility of pursuing a master’s degree. Having been involved in environmental initiatives since junior school, integrating my project into a green context feels natural and motivating. This award encourages me to explore untouched areas in sustainable engineering and to build a career that creates measurable impact. Most importantly, I made myself proud and honoured my parents who have always believed in me.”