How Empire Partner Foundation is pioneering new era of innovative altruism
- Dumisani Sigogo
- Oct 30
- 3 min read
The non-profit organisation hosted the 3rd EPF Tech Awards last weekend to highlight its impact in South Africa.
By Dumisani Sigogo, Senior Writer
As the Empire Partner Foundation (EPF) celebrated its third annual tech awards, the non-profit organisation highlighted the impact it has made in the last year.
The annual EPF Tech Awards recognise and celebrate technology's ability to drive social impact and inclusive innovation throughout Africa.
According to EPF, the awards came about out of a strong belief that young innovators and entrepreneurs deserve recognition, opportunities, and the resources they need to expand their solutions.
To this end, Joanna Govender, EPF CEO, welcomed attendees and discussed the EPF's impact thus far.
Declaring: “It is my honour — and responsibility — to champion the bold spirit that drives EPF and every innovator with whom we have had the privilege to work with."
Govender is motivated by impact, having just earned the Most Impactful Initiative title at the Women in Tech Africa Awards in Johannesburg, South Africa, and moving on to the global finals in Paris next month.
During the awards ceremony, she commented on the impact of the EPF.
"Tonight is a front-row seat to the future. Because right here, in this room, are the minds reimagining what’s possible. The coders, creators, disruptors, and doers, who are building what comes next.”
Govender went on to sum up the EPF's accomplishments and impact over the previous year, saying: “We have seen incredible innovation come from every corner of the country — from the townships, from the rural areas, from the smallest startups, to emerging leaders.”
She continued: “We launched new programmes, strengthened partnerships,and expanded our reach to so that those with ideas and talent have the platforms, networks, and resources to scale”
Over the last year, she emphasised that EPF has continued to leverage technology as a force for good.
Some of EPF's key milestones in the past year include a collaboration with ProBono.org, which resulted in the launch of a Digital Case Management Platform that is expanding access to justice for underserved communities by making it easier for those in need of legal assistance to find it quickly and efficiently.
Second, EPF collaborated with the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation to scale technology entrepreneurs around the country.
Third, the EPF collaborated with the Department of Women, adolescents, and Persons with Disabilities to create a platform that provides data-driven insights to enhance the lives of women, young people, and people with disabilities, ensuring that decision-making is informed by real evidence and stories.
Fourth, the organisation organised the KFC Hackathon, South Africa's largest hackathon, where innovators collaborated to address one of the country's most pressing challenges: child hunger.
Moreover, Govender stated: “Our collaboration with SARAO, the National Research Foundation, Leeds University, and the British Council led to the launch of the Africa Science Entrepreneurship Programme, a powerful initiative that empowers the next generation of science-driven entrepreneurs.”
She added: “Our partnership with Rand Water has seen the development of a Digital Knowledge Twin, a groundbreaking system that transforms how critical infrastructure is managed and maintained.
“Working with SALGA, we are helping local municipalities verify indigent households — improving service delivery, ensuring that social support reaches vulnerable communities”
In conclusion, Govender stated that EPF entities are having a genuine influence across the country.
She elaborated: “The EPF Tech Fund, The Empire Partner Foundation, and the AI Campus are pillars of a living, breathing ecosystem that supports innovation, and nurtures changemakers who will lead us into a more inclusive, digital future. “
