AFTER an extensive seven-week business modelling training programme, the winners of the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (ZCCI) entrepreneur competition were announced in Richards Bay on Friday.
Claiming the honours were Sibusiso Mthembu (1st place) for Ethnik Pieces, Kerry-Anne Moffett (2nd place) for Just 4U Designs, Thulile Nzimande (3rd place) for SennaThulza Occupational Health & Safety Services and Vaughn Fouché (4th place) for CupBoom.
Prizes included branding packages from Practical Computing, office equipment from Canon, bursaries from Bayethe Trust, procurement portals from ABSA, delegate bundles from Foskor and BBBEE certificates for one year from SAB&T BEE Services.
According to ZCCI committee member Mike Patterson the winners are all promising entrepreneurs.
‘They grasped the principles of running a profitable business and adapted their business models accordingly,’ said Patterson.
‘The training and mentorship definitely equipped them with the knowledge to get their businesses off the ground.’
One of the top 20 finalists and owner of Zazise Holistic Consultancy, Nomusa Jila, said although she did not win, the exposure and networking opportunity was ‘an experience second to none’.
‘The knowledge I have obtained and the mentors I have had the privilege to meet over the past few weeks made me feel like I can go out there and conquer.’
Twenty founders of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) were offered various training courses endorsed by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and USA-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
‘The four Zululand regional winners will now go on to compete at provincial level against the winners from other KZN chambers,’ said ZCCI Business Development Coordinator Antonette Harypursat.
The competition was sponsored by the KwaZulu-Natal Business Chambers Council and the KZN Department of Provincial Economic Development and Tourism.
