For Alumni
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation (MRF) has announced the four finalists for the prestigious 2026 Äänit Prize, an annual award that offers up to US$100 000 in funding to support scalable ventures creating positive social impact across Africa.
Read more about the Äänit Prize · Read the 2026 announcement
Scholar: David Chapoloko (Zambia & University of Cape Town, 2024)
Impact area: Agriculture and food security
AgreeNect Technologies is an agritech venture supporting smallholder farmers to improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and access more profitable markets, which contributes to more resilient rural economies. It supports farmers through digital agricultural advice, climate information, market access and land restoration initiatives.
Scholar: Nyasha Mashanda (Zimbabwe & University of Cape Town, 2020)
Impact area: Education
VhenekAI is an offline AI learning platform designed to provide personalised education support to students, regardless of connectivity or location. Named after the Shona word meaning ‘to light up’, the platform aims to expand and bridge educational opportunities to ensure that learners, in underserved communities, are not left behind in the digital age.
Scholar: Odwour Midigo (Kenya & Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2018)
Impact area: Agriculture and food security
Based in western Kenya, this model is a community-driven initiative designed to improve nutrition, strengthen food security and increase farmer incomes. By promoting regenerative agriculture and climate-smart practices, the venture is helping rural communities – including women, caregivers and smallholder farmers - to build healthier communities, restore soil health and strengthen local food systems.
Scholar: Emmanuel Valentine (Nigeria & University of KwaZulu Natal, 2025)
Impact area: Agriculture and food security
FARM4US is helping address food insecurity in Nigeria. The initiative helps farmers improve and increase productivity, adopt modern agricultural practices and strengthen food security in rural communities. The technology-driven venture sources ways to unlock the potential of underutilised farmland, while creating economic opportunities and promoting sustainable farming practices through demonstration farms, support and market access.
Ready to vote for your favourite finalist? Vote using the floating poll; refresh the page if you closed it.
By participating in the Äänit Prize Audience Choice Awards, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
One vote per person
Each person may submit one vote only. Multiple votes from the same person will be disqualified.
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Votes must be submitted by human individuals. The use of bots, scripts, automated systems, or other methods intended to manipulate the voting process is not permitted.
Fair voting
Any attempt to unfairly influence, manipulate, or interfere with the voting process may result in votes being removed or disqualification from the Audience Choice Awards.
Voting period
Votes must be submitted between Monday 7 September at 10:00am SAST and Monday 14 September at 5:00pm SAST. Votes received after voting closes will not be counted.
Final results
The Audience Choice Awards results are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.
Vote verification
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation reserves the right to review and verify votes and to exclude any votes they reasonably believe to be invalid, fraudulent, duplicated, or submitted in breach of these terms.
Changes to the voting process
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation reserve the right to amend, suspend, or cancel the voting process without prior notice should circumstances arise deeming this necessary.
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Any personal information collected as part of the voting process will be handled in accordance with the applicable privacy and data protection requirements.
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By submitting a vote, you confirm that you have read and agree to these terms and conditions.
The organiser’s decision on the validity of votes and the final Audience Choice Awards result/s is final.