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Key Takeaways
- Nelson Mandela University (NMU) student entrepreneurs Ayabulela Binase and Jazmyn Du Preez have been named among the Top 20 finalists in the EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge 2025.
- Binase created NanoLAMP, a low-cost diagnostic tool that helps farmers detect crop diseases early.
- Du Preez built Fin Align, a financial planning app designed for South Africans dealing with Black Tax and irregular income.
Rising Innovators at NMU
Two bright postgraduates from Nelson Mandela University (NMU) are gaining national recognition for their practical innovations. Their ideas respond to real issues facing South Africans today.
Ayabulela Binase, a master’s student in molecular biology, created the NanoLAMP Diagnostic Field Kit. She tested it in crop fields across the Free State and Mpumalanga. These tests revealed viral infections in common bean crops, which threaten farmer incomes and food supply.
Her affordable, easy-to-use kit works like a home pregnancy test. It lets farmers detect diseases early long before symptoms appear. This empowers them to act quickly, protecting their crops and boosting sustainable farming.
Tech for Financial Wellness
Meanwhile, Jazmyn Du Preez, a second-year MCom Business Management student, founded JTD Holdings and developed Fin Align.
This mobile-first app helps users plan their finances using AI-driven coaching and gamification. It’s especially helpful for South Africans facing irregular income, language barriers, or family financial obligations like Black Tax.
Unlike many banking apps, Fin Align isn’t just about numbers. It focuses on long-term habit-building. Du Preez also designed the app to support institutions like universities and NGOs aiming to promote financial literacy.
All Eyes on the National Finals
The EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge is a national event that recognizes student entrepreneurs solving real-world problems. Out of many entries, only 20 student entrepreneurs were chosen as finalists including Binase and Du Preez.
The finals take place on 25 November 2025 in Gauteng. There, each student will pitch their solution to a panel of experts and potential investors.
Their inclusion signifies a proud moment for NMU and signals the growing role of universities in shaping South Africa’s future economy.
NMU Celebrates a Proud Moment
Karen Snyman, Specialist in Student Entrepreneurship at NMU, expressed her excitement:
“Having not just one, but two of our students among the top 20 nationally is an incredibly proud moment. Ayabulela and Jazmyn embody the spirit of resilience, creativity, and problem-solving that we cultivate at Mandela University.”
She added that both students are role models for their peers. Their work shows how entrepreneurship can lead to real impact, not just personal success.
Innovation with Impact
This challenge is more than a competition it’s a platform for social and economic change. Through their bold ideas, Binase and Du Preez show how student-driven innovation can tackle South Africa’s biggest challenges head-on.
