The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has launched a
competition aimed at getting young people in the country to come up with
solutions to some of South Africa’s infrastructure challenges.
The DBSA Youth Challenge is open to anyone between the ages of 18 and
35. Interested persons must submit innovative development ideas that address
infrastructural needs across various sectors.
The winning submissions will attract a total of R1.5-million in prize
money.
Ideas must address one or more of the infrastructure development needs
within the DBSA’s core sectors which are energy, water, transport, information
and communication technology and/or social sectors; namely health, education and
human settlements (housing).
Entries should be original, relevant to society, scalable and feasible. Entries
will close on August 31.
I
nterested individuals are encouraged to submit their ideas via
https://dbsayouthchallange.org or by posting them to DBSA, PO Box 1234, Halfway
House, 1685, Midrand.
The top ten finalists will have an opportunity to promote their ideas
and network with potential sponsors before the three winners are announced at a
gala event later in the year.
The DBSA sees the competition as an opportunity for young people to have
a voice and participate in the economy, thereby bringing them from the margins
to the centre.
With technology making it possible to change the way services are
delivered, the development institution believes there is room for more young
people to get involved in finding innovative solutions to infrastructure
problems that will directly influence their future.
DBSA communications and marketing head Sebolelo Matsoso said: “Through initiatives such as the DBSA Youth Challenge, we look forward to working more closely with a segment of our society that is the foundation for our country’s future.” https://www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/dbsa-infrastructure-competition-gives-youth-chance-to-win-r15m-2019-07-18/rep_id:4136