CapeTalk and 702 Announce Winners of the 2025 Nedbank Business Ignite Awards
CapeTalk and 702 are proud to announce the winners of the 2025 Nedbank Business Ignite
Awards, celebrated at prestigious gala events attended by finalists, industry leaders, and
representatives from Nedbank. This year’s winners, Bio-Pak and Ukuhamba, exemplify the
spirit of innovation and disruption that the initiative seeks to promote within South
Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Alan Shannon, Executive: Sales Strategy and Enablement at Nedbank, remarked, “Business
Ignite continues to spotlight the bold visionaries who are shaping the future of
entrepreneurship in South Africa. This year’s winners have demonstrated not only grit and
innovation, but a fearless commitment to disrupting industries for the better. In a country
that urgently needs fresh thinking and bold action, disruption is not just a trend, it’s a
necessity. It is how we solve real problems, unlock economic opportunities, and build
solutions that work for both businesses and society at large. We are incredibly proud to
walk this journey with Bio-Pak and Ukuhamba and remain steadfast in our support of
entrepreneurs who are rewriting the rules and redefining success. Their stories are a
powerful reminder that when passion meets purpose, business becomes a force for
meaningful change.”
Bio-Pak, the winner from CapeTalk, is a pioneering manufacturer of home compostable
food packaging, including coffee cups, lids, and cartons. Their commitment to
sustainability is evident in their core offering of plastic-free packaging made from
renewable plant-based materials that naturally break down in home compost
environments. By challenging the dominance of traditional plastic and PLA-lined
packaging, Bio-Pak provides consumers with genuinely compostable solutions while
educating clients on responsible disposal practices.
Ukuhamba, the winner from 702, is revolutionizing the prosthetics industry by utilizing
cutting-edge technologies to produce high-quality, affordable, and custom-made
prosthetics and orthotics for amputees and individuals with disabilities. By using recycled
plastic bottles and advanced 3D printing techniques, Ukuhamba addresses the
inaccessibility of traditional prosthetics in South Africa, making them lighter, more
flexible, and significantly more affordable. Their innovative approach not only enhances
the quality of life for users but also promotes sustainability by repurposing waste
materials.
Mzo Jojwana, Chief Content Officer at Primedia Broadcasting, emphasized the significance
of the winners, stating, “The remarkable achievements of Bio-Pak and Ukuhamba highlight
the extraordinary potential of South African entrepreneurs to drive real change. Their
innovative solutions not only tackle critical societal challenges but also serve as a powerful
call to action for others to harness creativity and resilience in their own journeys. We
celebrate their success and eagerly anticipate the profound impact they will continue to
make on our economy.”
The Nedbank Business Ignite initiative remains committed to empowering entrepreneurs
who are not only participating in the market but are actively transforming it. In honouring
the accomplishments of Bio-Pak and Ukuhamba, we encourage South African businesses
to champion innovation and contribute to transformative change in our economy.
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