Ten South Africans aged between 18 and 35 years have the opportunity to win bursaries if their inventions impress the judges appointed by Lidonga Technology for the Lidonga Foundation.
Announcing the awards, Executive Chairman Connie Nkosi, says the main criteria will be that the inventions have commercial worth.
"We are looking for technical innovation of interest to the corporate sector."
Elaborating on the rationale for the awards she adds: "It is common knowledge that information technology is a key driver of a country's economy.
"Notably, countries like China and India with their double digit economic growth have ensured that their youth learn technology at an early stage. India, in particular, has become an information technology hub. It is against this backdrop that we want to be a catalyst for young South African inventors."
Lidonga Technology, founded in 2006, is a South African based mobile and system technology company that develops solutions and supports a wide range of software products for mobile payment and switching systems.
It is, for example, the service provider for the National Lottery's PlaySA lottery system, which enables South Africans from all walks of life to participate in the four weekly draws, using internet and SMS as access channels.
The company owns more than 40 international patents in mobile commerce technology and has extensive experience in implementing its solutions on the international stage.
Mr Roan Murray, Chief Technology Officer of the company says: "As a relatively new player in a highly competitive arena, Lidonga Technology has emerged as a vibrant entity within the technology and telecoms industry.
"We have a specific focus on providing impetus to the mobile commerce revolution and our long term vision includes the grouping of highly competent technologists and specialists.
"It is against this backdrop that we have launched the awards and our main objectives are to facilitate the empowerment of South African youth through the extension of knowledge and to encourage technological competence."
Entries may be submitted from 1 July 2010 and the competition closes on 30 October 2010.
For more information and entry, forms see: http://www.lidongatechnology.co.za
Source: National Youth Development Agency (http://www.nyda.gov.za/)
