Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is celebrating a major innovation milestone after HepaSure Diagnostics, a student-led healthcare enterprise founded by Nondumiso Nkosi, was crowned the Enactus South Africa Early-Stage Competition Champion. The victory secures South Africa’s representation at the Enactus World Cup 2026 in São Paulo, Brazil, where the innovation will be showcased before a global audience of students, investors and business leaders.
Founded by Nkosi, a medical scientist and student in the Department of Virology at SMU, HepaSure Diagnostics is developing an affordable, rapid and inclusive diagnostic solution for hepatitis B, with a particular focus on detecting occult hepatitis B infections—cases that often remain undetected by conventional screening methods. The innovation aims to improve early diagnosis, particularly in resource-constrained healthcare settings, while supporting global efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis.
The achievement reflects SMU’s commitment to transforming healthcare through research, innovation and entrepreneurship while empowering students to develop practical solutions to pressing public health challenges. “This achievement demonstrates what is possible when scientific research is combined with entrepreneurial thinking,” said Nondumiso Nkosi, founder of HepaSure Diagnostics. “Our goal has always been to ensure that people, particularly those in underserved communities, have access to accurate and affordable hepatitis B diagnostics. Representing South Africa at the Enactus World Cup is an incredible opportunity to showcase an innovation that has the potential to improve health outcomes both locally and globally.”
The victory marks the culmination of a journey that began when HepaSure Diagnostics joined the Enactus SMU programme as one of its student enterprises. Under the guidance of Enactus SMU Coordinator Naledi Mathole and the leadership of Enactus SMU President Nomsa Phoswa, the enterprise received structured entrepreneurial development, mentorship and coaching to strengthen its business model, sharpen its value proposition and enhance its investment readiness.
Following months of preparation, HepaSure Diagnostics earned a place among the Top Seven Early-Stage enterprises selected to compete at the Enactus South Africa National Exposition, held on 22 July 2026 at the Focus Rooms in Sandton. Sponsored by Harmony and other partners, the exposition brought together student entrepreneurs from more than 23 universities across South Africa, each presenting innovative business solutions designed to address critical social, economic and environmental challenges.
On 23 July 2026, HepaSure Diagnostics was announced as the National Early-Stage Champion, securing the opportunity to represent South Africa at the Enactus World Cup 2026 in Brazil.
“This success is a testament to the dedication, resilience and excellence demonstrated by our students,” said Mathole, Enactus SMU Coordinator. “At SMU, we are committed to creating an environment where innovation thrives and where students are equipped with the entrepreneurial skills needed to translate research into sustainable solutions that improve lives.”
Nomsa Phoswa, President of Enactus SMU, said the achievement reflects the strength of collaborative leadership and student innovation. “We are immensely proud of Nondumiso and the HepaSure Diagnostics team,” said Phoswa. “Their success highlights the impact of student entrepreneurship at SMU and reinforces our belief that young innovators can develop scalable solutions to some of society’s most complex healthcare challenges.”
Enactus South Africa forms part of the global Enactus network, an international non-profit organisation that empowers university students to create sustainable enterprises that address social, economic and environmental challenges through entrepreneurial action. By connecting students with business mentors and industry leaders, the organisation equips young entrepreneurs to transform innovative ideas into impactful businesses.
As HepaSure Diagnostics prepares to compete on the world stage in São Paulo, the achievement reinforces Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University’s vision of transforming health services through excellence and innovation. It also demonstrates the University’s growing contribution to scientific research, entrepreneurship and the development of future healthcare leaders whose innovations have the potential to improve lives in South Africa and beyond.
By Tumelo Moila
