Top honours were awarded to Klerksdorp-based multidisciplinary environmental, social and ecological services company Baoberry founder and MD Yolandi Schoeman at the 2016 awards ceremony of the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in South Africa (GCIP-SA) for her innovation in grey water treatment.

Her solution – a Wetbox (a wetland in a box) – is a cost-effective, nature-based grey water treatment system that eliminates 99% of disease-causing microorganisms and improves water quality for household use by up to 80%.

Runners-up at the awards ceremony included water treatment solutions company SanAqua MD Pamela Alborough, with a wastewater treatment enhancement solution, and start-up company Thevia FD Martin Ackermann, with roof tiles made of 99% waste materials.

Schoeman received a cash prize of R120 000, while Alborough and Ackermann each received R60 000. In addition to the cash prizes, all three contestants received an all-expenses-paid trip to Silicon Valley, in the US, where they will compete against top performers of other GCIP programmes from across the world in February 2017. Ackermann

also received the award for the most promising woman-led business, while the award for the most promising youth-led business went to industrial manufacturer and supplier Amahlathi Eco-Tech head Sandiswa Qayi, who developed an innovation that supplies 50 ℓ of hot water to a geyser within 30 minutes, called the Hot Spot.

The innovation for social impact award went to Louise Williamson for the safe and fuel-efficient Mashesha synthetic gas stoves specifically designed for use in schools and community feeding schemes. The three special category winners each received R20 000 in prize money.

Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor, who delivered the keynote address at the awards ceremony, said the GCIP-SA had been contributing to the development, promotion and deployment of clean technology innovations through its various activities and continuous engagement with stakeholders.