The Top 14 national finalists in the South African Breweries (SAB) youth entrepreneurship development programme, SAB KickStart, have created a total of 68 jobs during 2013. These constitute full time and part time employment created.
The finalists were announced earlier in the year and have since undertaken an intensive 12-month journey of personalised business mentorship and business development support during which there were a number of interventions to place each business on a growth path.
The SAB KickStart Class of 2013 is the first to complete the re-engineered model of the programme focused on developing and supporting sustainable businesses and high impact entrepreneurs who are able to make a contribution to South Africa’s job creation needs.
“Our top 14 finalists represent dedicated individuals whose connection to SAB KickStart yielded more empowered entrepreneurs capable of taking their businesses from start-ups to growing SMEs. The jobs they have managed to create, although a small contribution initially, is an indication of their potential to make a substantial impact moving into the future, ” says Boipelo Nkadimeng, SAB Manager Enterprise Development.
Some notable numbers of jobs created by the SAB KickStarters include young entrepreneur, Ricardo Hood from Vereeniging outside of Johannesburg, whose welding training business, SIH Training, created an additional 23 jobs during his participation in SAB KickStart. This is up 18 from only 5 before entering the competition.
Juandre Jephta’s Cape Town-based vegetation management and control business, Garden & Organics, today employs 46 full time and part time people, up 35 from just 11 before participating in SAB KickStart.
Anda Maqanda’ s business, AM Group in Port Elizabeth, which specialises in electrical design for the mining industry, created 10 additional jobs during SAB KickStart, up from only 5.
The Top 14 finalists were selected from a total of 60 candidates shortlisted across the country following an intense business training workshop. At the workshop, participants are schooled on how to develop a comprehensive and effective business plan. The best plans pitched at the end of the training were then chosen by an independent panel of adjudicators, resulting in the Top 14 finalists.
A thorough needs analysis conducted on the finalist businesses helped define a growth strategy for each. This strategy in turn informed the seed capital awarded to each business, as well as the programme and terms of individualised business mentorship.
The top three winners of the national finals will be awarded addition grant funding for their businesses of R600 000, R350 000 and R250 000, respectively, as well as an international business learning trip for each.
In selecting the winners, an independent panel of judges considers the overall business performance, business sustainability and its potential, as well as the effective implementation of growth strategies during the SAB KickStart mentorship and business development phase.
Winners will be announced during a gala awards dinner to be held during Global Entrepreneurship Week on Monday, 18th November 2013.
The Top 14 finalists in the running for the top 3 positions are:
GAUTENG:
Ricardo Hood, SIH Training (Vereeniging)
Siyazizwa Investment Holdings (SIH) Training was established in 2011 and is based in Sasolburg, northern Free State. The business offers accredited artisan training in welding, a manufacturing and fabrication service and professional artisan employment placements.
Lerato Motsepe, Tiers of Delight (Soweto)
Based in Soweto, the business was established in 2008 and provides custom made cakes and other confectionaries for special occasion such as every day fresh cakes, scones and biscuits.
Luyanda Ngwenya, ICU Eyecare (Tsakane)
A mobile eye clinic or Optometrist-in-a-Container established in 2009 providing affordable and accessible eye care solutions to needy communities primarily based in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan district, east of Johannesburg.
LIMPOPO:
Puledi Manamela, Selaki Sports and Leisure
Established in 2007, Selaki Sports and Leisure is a sports apparel and sports equipment supplier and manufacturer.
FREE STATE:
Phemelo Mpofu, AMAMP Tooling (Bloemfontein)
The business was started in 2011 and services the truck tipper trailer market and works with several local municipalities in the lime-making machinery market.
NORTH WEST:
Obed Montwedi, Reiketlile Catering & Confectionery Services (Brits)
Bakery started in 2011 produces breads and scones, amongst others for burial societies, churches and stokvels. It now employs 4 people.
WESTERN CAPE:
Juandre Jeptha, Garden & Organics (Cape Town)
The business was started in 2009 and provides bulk vegetation management and control services to municipalities, government departments and City Parks in the Western Cape.
Lyle Truter, Tru PVC Products (Cape Town)
A family-owned business based in Cape Town, established in 2009 that manufactures and supplies PVC pipe fittings for irrigation and civil engineering markets.
EASTERN CAPE:
Zanele Nongabe, Xhobani Beads (Mdantsane, East London)
The business was established in 2009 in Mdantsane, East London. Zanele, and her partner, Nomaci Qabaka, design and manufacture jewellery from recycled glass and beads, as well as train 100 people a year.
Anda Maqanda, AM Group (Port Elizabeth)
An engineering consultancy established in 2008 specialising in electrical design for the mining industry, construction of overhead power-lines and renewable energy substations. It has three offices based in Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Johannesburg.
KWAZULU NATAL:
Eric Sihle Zuma, Pork Masters
This is a farming business situated in the rural area of Empendle, established in 2005, that breeds pigs and supplies abattoirs surrounding Pietermaritzburg.
Namhla Ngubo, Harvest 4rm Heaven
Established in 2011, the business is an alternative foods brand based in Verulam, Kwa-Zulu Natal and specialises in the manufacturing and supply of packaged curried chilli recipes to food retailers.
Ndumiso Mncwabe, Barsequipped Mobile Bars
This Durban-based business was established in 2011 and provides mobile bar services including bar units, mobile fridges, barmen and speciality cocktail drinks.
MPUMALANGA:
Sipokazi Matshikiza, Lilitha Pharmacy (Secunda)
Established in 2011, Lilitha Pharmacy is situated Secunda, Mpumalanga, and provides accessible medical products and the services of a baby clinic to surrounding communities and industry.
