Tech in Africa
Johannesburg-based waste tech startup Kudoti emerged as the winner of the Annual Investment Meeting which took the form of a Virtual Pitch Competition. Kudoti will represent the country in the finals in Dubai. The event was co-hosted by Startup Mzansi Foundation and hosted by Sandile Shabangu. Among the notable industry figures that attended the event are; Prof. Dr. Ambassador Tal Edgars, Vusi Thembekwayo, Dr. Audrey Verhaeghe, Dr. Sumarie Roodt, Dr. Audrey Verhaeghe, and Allon Raiz.
Kudoti creates and implements technological solutions in waste management and recycling industries. The digital solutions comprise of hardware, software, internet of things (IoT), other applications. An automated waste management operation that relies on waste management operations from start to finish through a SAAS solution.
Founded in 2019 by Gift Lubele, the company works with clients to improve efficiency, optimize waste processing, and the logistics involved.
Waste management is a critical sector affecting many parts of society and the economy at large. It correlates with poverty eradication, health, climate change, consumption, food security, and sustainable production. The South African waste market is valued at R24.3 billion and Kudoti belives its target share is at R250 million.
“Kudoti” is the Zulu word for trash. In a mention by French South African Tech Labs, Gift derived his waste transformation inspiration from his experiences living in the Tembisa township (Outside Gauteng). With that drive, he aspires to magnify the important role played by informal waste workers in the waste management value chain. In South Africa, many waste companies rely on outdated operations. Kudoti targets companies of any size.
Among the accolades received by Kudoti are 100 Beautiful things by VA & Waterfront, Fast Company SA – 25 Most Innovative Company awards, Grand Final of the ClimateLaunchpad, and 2020 Africa-France Summit FSAT Labs startup.
Other startups that made it to the final round were Viero, Yellow Beast (Pty) Ltd, and TSELA TSWEU MEDIA. You can get more information on Kudoti on Linkedin, Facebook, and Twitter.
