Chamber names Zululand’s top three entrepreneurs

A FORMER truck driver with a passion for road safety scooped the top spot in the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (ZCCI) The Entrepreneur Competition.

Rodney Chetty of Pro Driver academy plans on changing the face of truck driving with proper training and development of young drivers within the trucking industry.

Raymond Mthembu of Phiwani Personnel and Business Solutions, who provide upholstery cleaning services, took the coveted second place, and Rheka Kanaye of Thembekile Engineering and Welding School took the third place.

The Zululand leg of the competition ended with an exhibition and prize giving ceremony, held last week at the Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre.

Addressing the business owners, ZCCI President Judith Nzimande congratulated the entrepreneurs on their inspiring achievements.

‘Whether you win the prize or not, the fact is you have learnt skills that will help you empower your business and I cannot wait to see your businesses bloom and grow.’

She added the training program the fledgling business owners completed during the course of the competition will assist them to further develop their businesses, make bigger profits and contribute to local economic development, growth and job creation.

She also warned them not to spend their business profits on material items such as fancy cars, but to rather re-invest it in their businesses to ensure further growth.

‘We thank all the sponsors of this competition – Boardwalk Inkwazi Shopping Centre, the Bayede Foundation, KBCC (KZN Business Chambers’ Council) and EDTEA (Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs) as well as judges and the mentors.

On winning third prize, Rekha Kanye said the competition has opened many new doors for business growth.

‘It has put our businesses on a different platform and we thank the ZCCI for acknowledging the impact entrepreneurs have on the region’s economy and community.’

Raymond Mthembu said he feels truly honoured by winning second place.

‘The knowledge and skills we have acquired throughout the competition are invaluable.’

The Zululand winners will now compete against the winners of seven other KZN Chambers in a provincial final in Durban on 16 and 17 February.

‘We are very excited about the next leg of the competition,’ said Kanaye.

‘Even if we don’t win, we still gained the opportunity to market our businesses in a different locality.’