The movement towards ending the prevalence of youth unemployment in South Africa is currently underway and another organisation which has been aiding the country is The South African Breweries. The need to place the youth's entrepreneurial spirit and creativity on display has been at an all-time high and SAB's Kickstart Ignite programme is here to do just that.
Where did it all start
SAB Kickstart is a programme which was developed in May 1995 as a poverty alleviation programme and subsequently evolved into 2 umbrella entities geared towards the development of youth entrepreneurship; these were KickStart Ignite and KickStart Boost. KickStart Ignite provides up-and-coming entrepreneurs, aged between 18 and 35 years, a foundation to begin their business through funding and the objective of KickStart Boost is to provide already established businesses assistance with expansion and support.
How it works
Kickstart Ignite holds a competition where budding entrepreneurs and innovators are invited to enter for a chance to win their share of the R1.2 million grant fund. 18 finalists have been chosen for the 2016 run of the competition and on the 23rd of March winners will be announced.
Who are the finalists?
The finalists for the 2016 run of the competition are:
Ddi
Mohapi
MHPLabs
Didi, 27, established MHPLabs in 2017 and provides mobile diagnostic laboratory services to state hospitals, clinics and healthcare practitioners as well as their patients.
Thanyani
Ramuhashi
Sceltofin
Thanyani, 27, conceptualised her financial advisory platform in 2015 and her company, Sceltofin, was registered early in 2017.
Tshepo
Ntokoane
Lenaka Multimedia
Tshepo, 34, owns Lenaka Multimedia and is interested in the development of 3D animated African folktale stories to be told and shared.
Katleho
Monareng
Umgabulo Security Solutions
Katleho, 22, owns Umgabulo Security Solutions, a private security company that provides armed and unarmed services to private and public residents in-and-around Bloemfontein.
Phuti
Lamola
Phuti Food Manufacturing
Phuti, 34, established Phuti Food Manufacturing in 2015. They produce nutritious soya mince soup in a variety of flavours.
Maputle
Tsoka
Evolutionary Innovations
Maputle, 28, founded Evolutionary Innovations in 2016. They specialise in the construction of quality and affordable oral prostheses, including cleft palate obstructers, dentures and dental crowns.
Mahlatse
Ncha
Lily Southern Suppliers
Mahlatse, 22, established Lily Southern Suppliers in 2016. It is a culinary herb farm and supply business.
Nkgafeng
Matibidi
Moletsaodutse Projects
Nkgafeng, 29, founder of Moletsaodutse Projects. Their primary focus is manufacturing of furniture from plastic.
Thando
Somacele
One Learn
Thando, 26, conceptualised One Learn in 2015, with his partner Sifiso Pesane. Their aim is to improve National Senior Certificate results overall, but with a primary focus on Math and the siences.
Tshiamo
Shomang
Yeeperk
Tshiamo, 24, is the founder of Yeeperk, an online small-to-medium enterprise discount platform that assists entrepreneurs with business-to-business tools as well as products and services.
Sizwe
Mavuso
water harvesting system
Sizwe, 34, conceptualised a water harvesting system in 2015, as a means of helping to eradicate water shortage in communities.
Simphiwe
Mantini
Chefchenko
Simphiwe, 29, is the owner of a hotelier software company called Chefchenko.
Tshepo
Nkopane
EnviroCentral
Tshepo, 23, founded EnviroCentral, an environmental technical business that detects water leaks and monitors water consumption in homes.
Khulekani
Mncube
Connect Me
Khulekani, 27, created Connect Me, a web app designed to help locals and tourists make use of public transport efficiently.
Ncibane
Stuurman
Mr. Pop Up Carwash
Ncibane, 30, founded Mr. Pop Up Carwash in 2016. This is an eco-friendly car wash system using a high pressure steam system.
David
Mpyatona
Flow
David, 25, conceptualised Flow in 2015, an accounting software system that provides tailor-made solutions to small-to-medium enterprises.
Thembisile
Sizwe
Mngadi
MegaDose
Thembisile, 23, is the founder of MegaDose, an online marketing and m-commerce platform.
Mabuse
Sekogothe
Makeishine Technologies
Mabuse, 32, started his gym fitting and technical service company Makeishine Technologies in 2015.
If you want to keep up with the movements of SAB Kickstart and want
to catch live updates follow the twitter account on @SAB_KickStart or
head to Facebook and type in SABKickStart.
For all the latest news you can use #SABKickStartIgnite to find out more.
