The tragic loss of the mother of one of her friends to cervical cancer led a young scientist, Ms Qetello Baloyi, on her current path.
Her invention – a smart pantyliner – so impressed the judges at the first EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge finals that they voted her into third place. The EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge is the largest student entrepreneurship initiative ever launched across South Africa’s 26 public universities, offering prize money of over R1 million.
Baloyi (left), a Master’s student in the Department of Geography at the University of Limpopo, explains: “I got the idea after my friend lost her mother to cervical cancer. For many years, her symptoms had been misdiagnosed as haemorrhoids. By the time she was correctly diagnosed, it was too late. It was from this reality that I knew I wanted to create something that would act as a bridge for patients and health care workers, enabling early detection and giving women a fighting chance. In 2024, I started working on this project, bringing together technology, health and hygiene.”
The result is Zus Nana, a smart pantyliner that can detect abdominal and vaginal infections.
Vaginal secretions create lines of varying colours on the panty liner, indicating whether the wearer’s health is normal or if they should seek medical advice.
Baloyi described being named among the Top 3 in the highly contested competition as a prayer answered. “I felt incredibly honoured because the standard of entries from the 20 shortlisted participants was impressive. It was hugely validating and a true blessing,” she says of the experience.
Her R150,000 prize money will enable her to advance to the next stages of her Technology and Market Readiness Levels, while seeking strategic partnerships. “There will be many late nights in the laboratory, persistent efforts to secure sponsors, and a determined push to bring products to market while driving further innovation,” she says.
Baloyi was delighted that female innovators were the big winners at the EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge, taking the top five spots and seven positions in the Top 10.
“I believe that the future of innovation in our society is in the hands of the young. This also proves that young women are taking up their seats at the table and that society has made room for them. My message to women is that the time for holding back is over; it is our responsibility to show up with solutions for society’s problems. We can make a difference.”
She paid tribute to the University of Limpopo’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO), which bridges the gap between innovation and impact, and facilitates the transfer of research and intellectual property from the laboratory to the marketplace, fostering collaborations that drive economic growth and societal advancement.
“I must also acknowledge my grandmother, Maria Malesela; my father; siblings and friends for always having my back. The road to innovation can really get lonely.
EDHE, the programme seeking to develop the entrepreneurial capacity of university students, academics and university leaders, is a collaboration between Universities South Africa (USAf) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It helps students become more economically active by providing support, running competitions such as the EDHE Absa Innovation Challenge and EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity while offering programmes and initiatives to foster entrepreneurial skills.
Janine Greenleaf Walker is a contract writer for Universities South Africa.