JOHANNESBURG, October 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

16 semi-final round teams now advance to the final round of four at the Enactus World Cup held at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg with one team to be awarded the title of Enactus World Champion Friday 16 October.

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36 teams were given the opportunity to journey to South Africa to a show of excellence. An intense competition of business innovation that creates social impact takes place this week.  The final four round of the competition can be watched live at: Enactus.org/WorldCup/ .

The electrified opening ceremony of the EWC featured a commanding performance of the popular African Footprint. The inspiring opening address was delivered by the new Chairman of Enactus Worldwide Board of Directors, Kees Kruthoff, President of Unilever, NA. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma gave a riveting talk focusing upon Women's Economic Empowerment and encouraged all countries of the world to become part of Enactus.

The sold out event included a global Parade of Nations and a presentation of the 2030 United Nations Development Sustainable Development goals (SDGs).

In his opening address, new Enactus Board Chairman Kees Kruthoff said: "Enactus is playing a vital role in giving university students an amazing launch pad fueled by entrepreneurial action to create a better world for us all. It's working-we've impacted nearly 2 million lives this year alone."

African Union, Chairperson, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma encouraged participating students to be inspired by Mandela's quote of "Sometimes if falls upon a generation to be great, you can be that generation". This was further conveyed by Global Head of Citizenship, KPMG International, Lord Dr. Michael Hastings. The presence of 90 staff from global presenting sponsor, KPMG at the Enactus World Cup further reiterates KPMG's love, support and commitment to Enactus.

On the morning of Friday 16 October, 16 Semi-finalist teams will advance to the Final Round of four teams to present their team social impact projects.

The advancing teams are in the following leagues:

League One: 

South Africa, Kyrgyzstan, Morocco and Egypt

League Two: 

Brazil, Korea, Canada and Zimbabwe

League Three: 

India, Nigeria, United States of America and Germany

League Four:  

Tunisia, Puerto Rico, Malaysia and United Kingdom

During the Enactus World Cup the Action Leader Forum will focus on the global (SDG's) issue of Women's Economic Empowerment & Entrepreneurship. The panelists are: Pavlo Phitidis, CEO of Aurik Business Incubator, Parminder Vir, OBE, CEO, The Tony Elumelu Foundation, Kees Kruythoff, President Unilever NA, Chrysula Winegar, special advisor, The United Nations Foundation.

The final completion, action panel forum, surprise entertainment and closing ceremonies can all be viewed just a click away: Enactus.org/WorldCup/

ABOUT ENACTUS: Enactus, an international non-profit organization brings together students, academic and business leaders through the belief that investing in students who take entrepreneurial action for others creates a better world for us all. Guided by business experts and academic advisors at more than 1,700 universities in 36 countries, the 70,500 student leaders of Enactus create and implement community outreach projects each year to empower people to improve their livelihoods, impacting more than 1,950,000 people.

DIGITAL SCHEDULE & WORLD CUP LIVE BROADCAST: http://enactus.org/worldcup        

Further interviews available with Terry Torok, Chief Innovation Officer, Enactus Worldwide.

Linda Thompson
Enactus World Cup media liaison
Email: lthompson@enactus.org / Tel: +27-72-054-1179

Terry Torok
Enactus Worldwide Chief Innovation Officer
Email: ttorok@enactus.org

SOURCE Enactus