Ms. Vhahangwele Belemu, a first-year doctoral candidate in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, University of Venda, has been recognised among South Africa’s leading young intellectuals after securing a third place nationally in the 2025/2026 African Organisation for Standardisation Essay Competition.
On 5 May 2026, the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) hosted the announcement of the national winners of the 2025/2026 ARSO Essay Competition in Pretoria. More than an awards ceremony, the event served as a platform for innovative ideas, ambition, and discussions on Africa’s economic future, led by young South Africans committed to shaping the continent’s development trajectory. The continental initiative encourages students to critically engage with issues relating to trade, standardisation, and economic transformation across Africa. Ms Belemu was selected among the five national finalists who will represent South Africa at the continental stage of the competition.
The competition attracted submissions from leading institutions, including AFDA , the University of South Africa, the University of Venda, Stellenbosch University and the University of the Witwatersrand. The competition invited university and college students under the age of 35 to present innovative perspectives on Africa’s trade and economic future under the theme: “The Role of Harmonised Standards in Reducing Technical Barriers to Trade and in Promoting Fair and Just Trade Within the Intra-African and Global Trade.”
Ms Belemu’s essay ranked among the top five entries nationally, earning her the opportunity to represent South Africa at the 13th ARSO Continental Essay Competition, where she will compete alongside peers from across the African continent. Her achievement was further recognised through the award of an official bursary, a trophy and a certificate of participation.
In her essay, Ms Belemu argued that harmonised standards constitute a strategic instrument for advancing economic justice and regional integration across Africa. She emphasised that aligning technical requirements can reduce production costs, minimise border delays, and improve market access for African producers within intra-African and global trade systems. Her essay also underscored the importance of increasing African representation in international standard-setting processes to ensure that global standards adequately reflect the continent’s developmental realities and priorities.
The University of Venda celebrates Ms Belemu’s accomplishment, noting that her success demonstrates the significant role postgraduate students can play in shaping policy and trade discourse on the continent. “This recognition reaffirms the importance of student voices in advancing conversations around African trade and economic integration, In Ms Belemu’s words. “I look forward to representing South Africa and contributing to discussions on how harmonised standards can make trade more equitable and accessible.”
The continental stage of the 13th ARSO Continental Essay Competition will bring together top national finalists from across Africa to deliberate on the role of standardisation in promoting economic integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA).
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