Students from the West Coast College’s Vredenburg campus delivered a strong performance at the Allan Gray Inspire Inter-Campus Entrepreneurship Competition held in Malmesbury on Friday 10 June, earning podium finishes across three categories.

The competition brought together student entrepreneurs from across West Coast College’s campuses, attracting 107 entries this year, more than double the number received in 2025. Following preliminary rounds, 26 students were selected to pitch their business ideas and existing enterprises at the inter-campus event.

Alfred America (Vredenburg Campus) finished second in the Innovative Business Idea category, behind overall winner Gift Stemela (Atlantis Campus), while Anothando Jubase (Malmesbury Campus) placed third.

America also secured second place in the General Business category, with Bianca Felix (Malmesbury Campus) claiming first place and Cheneal Vember (Atlantis Campus) finishing third.

Vredenburg Campus also featured in the Tech Business category, with Sanele Mingane placing third behind winner Karabelo Frans Borokelo (Vredendal Campus) and runner-up Khanyisa Mantshi (Malmesbury Campus). Simiso Biyela (Vredenburg Campus) was recognised in the Trade Business category.

The top two competitors in each category will advance to the regional competition at Northern Cape Rural TVET College in Upington on 7 August, where they will represent West Coast College against entrants from across the region.

Riaan Hoffman, deputy principal for Partnerships, Innovation and Development at West Coast College, said the institution aims to develop both employable skills and entrepreneurial thinking among students. He said the college remains committed to supporting entrepreneurship and helping students build sustainable businesses.