Durban University of Technology (DUT) is bursting with pride as one of its students, Mr Luyanda Majozi, emerged victorious in the Start-up category at the prestigious GISU Global Start-up Competition in China on Wednesday, 30 October 2024. This remarkable accomplishment stands as a testament to Majozi’s entrepreneurial prowess, creativity and relentless drive, all of which DUT wholeheartedly supports through its commitment to student empowerment, entrepreneurship and innovation.
The Alliance of Guangzhou International Sister-City Universities (GISU), which connects universities globally through collaborative initiatives, hosts an annual Urban Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition. Open to full-time students and graduates from GISU’s member and affiliate universities, the competition provides a global platform for young innovators to present their own solutions to real-world challenges. Majozi’s success in the competition highlighted DUT’s role in promoting and supporting innovation and entrepreneurship.
Majozi’s achievement aligns seamlessly with DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, which places a strong emphasis on advancing innovative curricula and research, a distinctive education at an engaged university, where creativity and innovation shapes adaptive graduates who transform society. This accomplishment is not only a personal victory for Majozi but also a significant milestone in DUT’s journey to cultivate game-changers equipped to make meaningful contributions on both local and global stages.
DUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola expressed heartfelt pride in Majozi’s accomplishment, saying: “We are absolutely thrilled to celebrate Mr Luyanda Majozi’s remarkable success. This achievement speaks volumes about his determination, creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit we proudly cultivate at DUT. It’s truly inspiring to see our students excel on the world stage. Congratulations to Mr Majozi on this outstanding accomplishment. His journey is just beginning and DUT, along with the global community, eagerly awaits the next chapter in his inspirational story.”
Majozi, founder and owner of streetwear apparel label Enigmatic Cotton, said that reaching the finals of the 2024 Alliance Urban Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition was an exhilarating milestone for him and the brand Enigmatic Cotton.
“It validates our vision of creating a sustainable fashion hub and showcases the impact of our innovative approach to the fashion industry. This achievement means that our efforts to blend sustainability, style and community empowerment are being recognised on a global platform, giving us the momentum to push further towards our goals,” shared Majozi.
He also did not hold back on his praise for the work and support from DUT and the innobiz DUT Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in shaping his business, stating that the University and the Centre had been instrumental in Enigmatic Cotton’s success.
The university extended gratitude to everyone involved in supporting Majozi, acknowledging the dedication of faculty, mentors and peers who have played an instrumental role in helping him achieve success. As DUT continues to focus on ENVISION2030, game-changers like Majozi are paving the way for a generation of adaptive graduates who will make transformative contributions to society, uplifting lives and livelihoods in impactful ways.
Pictured: Luyanda Majozi.
Alan Khan
