About the Unisa Innovation Festival
The University of South Africa (Unisa), as one of the world’s premier distance learning institutions, has long stood as a pillar of academic access and inclusion. Through its excellent, world-class research and innovation programmes, Unisa continues to claim its apex position as a producer of knowledge that addresses some of the intractable challenges in our society.
Guided by this vision, and through the leadership of the Directorate of Innovation, Technology Transfer and Commercialisation (DITTC), Unisa launched the Unisa Innovation Festival. This initiative has rapidly evolved into a cornerstone of the university’s modern identity and a powerful catalyst for partnerships within the national and continental innovation systems.
The Beginning: 2022
The inaugural Unisa Innovation Festival was held from 1–2 December 2022 at Unisa’s main campus in Pretoria. The event aimed to showcase the university’s innovation initiatives, foster conversations on innovation, commercialisation, and entrepreneurship, and highlight innovations developed by staff, students, and Unisa-linked start-ups.
What began as an internal exhibition quickly expanded into a dynamic platform attracting industry partners, investors, policymakers, and aspiring entrepreneurs from across South Africa. The Festival’s success demonstrated Unisa’s growing role as a driver of applied research, technology development, and social innovation.
Growing into a Cross-Institutional Platform
Building on its early success, the Festival evolved from a project showcase into a comprehensive innovation ecosystem platform. The introduction of pitching competitions under The Forge banner — a student innovation challenge — and expert-led workshops positioned the event as a hub for learning, collaboration, and investment.
The Festival’s reach expanded to include academics, students, alumni, and industry partners, mirroring South Africa’s own emerging tech and start-up ecosystem. Its alignment with Unisa’s corporate strategy and Catalytic Niche Areas ensured that cutting-edge research and technologies gained visibility and support. As a result, the Festival became an integral mechanism for advancing Unisa’s innovation mandate and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship.
Showcasing Growth – Innovation Festival 2024
The 2024 edition marked a defining moment in the Festival’s journey. Under the theme “Innovations for Societal Impact,” it became the largest and most successful to date. The event featured high-profile speakers and thought leaders, including:
- Dr Nasiphi Moya, Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane
- Rapelang Rabana, CEO and Founder of Rekindle Learning
- Lincoln Mali, CEO of Lesaka Technologies
- Daniel Ndima, Founder and CEO of CapeBio
- Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa, then Unisa Vice-Principal for Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation (now Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mpumalanga)
The Festival’s calibre of speakers, depth of dialogue, and diversity of showcased innovations elevated it to a nationally recognised event — firmly positioning Unisa as a leader in innovation for development.
The Future: A Nexus for African Innovation
Looking ahead, the Unisa Innovation Festival aspires to become the premier nexus for African technology, entrepreneurship, and knowledge exchange. The goal is to evolve beyond an annual celebration into a year-round innovation ecosystem driver.
Future editions aim to:
- Deepen industry partnerships to co-create and commercialise impactful technologies;
- Scale successful start-ups from Unisa’s incubators into sustainable enterprises; and
- Leverage Unisa’s pan-African network to position the Festival as a continental innovation showcase.
Ayanda Noma
Innovation Festival Project Manager
From its humble beginnings in 2022 to its current status as a beacon of entrepreneurial and technological promise, the Unisa Innovation Festival embodies the university’s mission to transform knowledge into action. It is a living testament to Unisa’s commitment to not only adapt to the future but to shape it — proving that innovation truly knows no distance.