Johannesburg, South Africa,
May 30, 2017 – As the Youth Month dawns, The South African Breweries (SAB) has
announced the top 10 finalists for the 2016 class of youth entrepreneurship
programme, SAB KickStart Boost.
May 30, 2017 – As the Youth Month dawns, The South African Breweries (SAB) has
announced the top 10 finalists for the 2016 class of youth entrepreneurship
programme, SAB KickStart Boost.
Up to R3.1-million in
business support and funding has been awarded between the top 10
finalists.
business support and funding has been awarded between the top 10
finalists.
SAB
KickStart Boost provides established businesses assistance with expansion and
support during an 18-month programme geared towards the development of youth
entrepreneurship. The class of 2016
began their Kickstart journey in June 2016 when the #StartupTruck toured South
Africa in search of attractive businesses needing growth opportunities.
KickStart Boost provides established businesses assistance with expansion and
support during an 18-month programme geared towards the development of youth
entrepreneurship. The class of 2016
began their Kickstart journey in June 2016 when the #StartupTruck toured South
Africa in search of attractive businesses needing growth opportunities.
The 25 selected
candidates, drawn from a broad range of industries including health and
wellness, marketing, agriculture, cleaning and manufacturing, embarked on an
intensive business skills training journey tailored to develop business growth.
candidates, drawn from a broad range of industries including health and
wellness, marketing, agriculture, cleaning and manufacturing, embarked on an
intensive business skills training journey tailored to develop business growth.
The top 10 finalists
are:
are:
1. Bahle Nteleki, MB.co Podiatrist,
Soweto,
Soweto,
2. Cleopatra Simelane, The Recess
Youth Movement, Soweto
Youth Movement, Soweto
3. Lebogang Lekalakala, B-Ma
Services, Pretoria
Services, Pretoria
4. Litha Ndabula, The Venclean Group,
East London
East London
5. Jafta Skosana, Renabo Plastic
Moulders and Furniture, KwaMhlanga
Moulders and Furniture, KwaMhlanga
6. Mbali Bhengu, Mind Switch, Westville
7. Nthabiseng Lemena, Lemena TN Solutions,
Welkom
Welkom
8. Tshepo Mdake Shangilia Boutique
Spa, Hammanskraal
Spa, Hammanskraal
9. Tumelo Pholwane, Botshelo Wellness and
Fitness Club, Thaba Nchu
Fitness Club, Thaba Nchu
10. Zama Buthelezi, The She Creative
House, Baynesfield
House, Baynesfield
The finalists, aged
between 22 and 35, “are now focussed on working through their businesses with
their assigned mentor to unlock opportunities in their businesses that will
take them to the next level,” said Nirishi Trikamjee, SAB Corporate Affairs
Director.
between 22 and 35, “are now focussed on working through their businesses with
their assigned mentor to unlock opportunities in their businesses that will
take them to the next level,” said Nirishi Trikamjee, SAB Corporate Affairs
Director.
“Eleven months into
the programme, these entrepreneurs are entrenched in their training and we are
waiting in anticipation to see who will come out tops come November 2017.”
the programme, these entrepreneurs are entrenched in their training and we are
waiting in anticipation to see who will come out tops come November 2017.”
The top 10 finalists
currently employ 48 staff between them, with 26 part-time workers, and are
projected to grow this to more than 100, with 20 part-time workers.
currently employ 48 staff between them, with 26 part-time workers, and are
projected to grow this to more than 100, with 20 part-time workers.
“The next six months
will see the group receiving business mentoring through our partner The Awethu
Project, in which the mentor will work through at least eight, one-on-one
mentoring sessions to work through a growth strategy tailored for their
individual business, receive a portion of funding which includes either grant
capital or an interest-free loan and overall personal development tools,”
Trikamjee said.
will see the group receiving business mentoring through our partner The Awethu
Project, in which the mentor will work through at least eight, one-on-one
mentoring sessions to work through a growth strategy tailored for their
individual business, receive a portion of funding which includes either grant
capital or an interest-free loan and overall personal development tools,”
Trikamjee said.
Furthermore winners of
the programme will be provided additional market access opportunities to expand
their customer base, including exposure to big business.
the programme will be provided additional market access opportunities to expand
their customer base, including exposure to big business.
“SAB’s involvement
with helping entrepreneurs develop successful businesses aligns with government’s
goals to transform the small business sector.
with helping entrepreneurs develop successful businesses aligns with government’s
goals to transform the small business sector.
The top three winners
will be announced in November 2017.
will be announced in November 2017.
