Siyanda Mthethwa, founder of Kuloola, South Africa’s first rural online grocery store, took first prize at the SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards held on 30 November 2021 in Johannesburg – walking away with R1.3 million in funding.
These social innovation awards look at creating a sustainable business model while solving a social problem, with a particular emphasis on innovation that benefits women, youth, people with disability or those in rural areas.
This year, over R16 million was awarded to 28 finalists to provide the funding and support they need to see their businesses grow and thrive.
Kuloola is powered by a sophisticated navigation app which maps rural households and provides households and spaza shops with a delivery service in underserved rural areas.
“I am thrilled to have been awarded first place and am so excited to take my business to even greater heights,” says Mthethwa. “Through the roll out of my app, I aim to reduce transport costs and solve challenges associated with getting large food orders to households which will really benefit my community. As a social innovator, it is all about improving the lives of others.”
According to SAB, winners will also be placed in tailored business programmes and receive development support from a business mentor and coach.
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