Seda crowns stars of small business

The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) has announced the winners in the Seda Small Business Stars national business plan competition.

The winners were selected after 180 finalists – drawn from more than 5 500 entries – presented their business concepts to 18 provincial judging panels, who chose 11 national finalists.

The national winner is Adesh Naidoo from KwaZulu-Natal with his business called Clean Street. He won a laptop, software, R50 000 in cash and R600 000 in business support value from Seda.

Naidoo plans to take his concept – a green-friendly litter bin that provides advertising revenue for the city – to every municipality.

The national runners-up, who each won R10 000 in cash and a share of R240 000 in business support value from Seda, are:

lPalesa Moeketsi from the Western Cape for Chesa Communications.

The company has pioneered the concept of simultaneously syndicated programming to a network of small community radio stations, opening up a new marketing channel to advertisers.

lBokao Theka from North-West for Canvas Products.

He has created a range of high-quality canvas products – from laptop bags to lapas. The business, say the judges, has national potential and shows great entrepreneurship from someone who started as a cleaner.

lLizelle Beukes from Gauteng for Arrero Premium Car Fragrance.

The fragrances are based on designer aromas.

Special awards were made to:

lMost promising woman entrepreneur – Tabisa Nomnganga from the Western Cape with her Bravo Promotions. The business makes consumer brands come alive in communities through dance, theatre and performances. The company has created more than 20 jobs for dancers, performers and young promoters.

lMost promising youth entrepreneur – Thula Sindi from Gauteng, who has created an affordable, contemporary brand focused on career clothing. The 28-year-old entrepreneur not only employs six women directly but also 22 women and more through outsourcing to their co-op. The brand is available at some Edgars stores.

lMost promising job-creating entrepreneur – Martin Brown from Gauteng runs Radical Holdings, a manufacturer of custom-built, powered wheelchairs. A quadriplegic, Brown started the business due to his frustration in trying to find an electric wheelchair that catered for his needs. He has created more than 20 manufacturing jobs.

lMost promising entrepreneurs with a disability – Martin Brown of Radical Holdings, Tabisa Nomnganga of Bravo promotions and Obed Segooa of Cycle Check Trading. With eight local schools already on its books, Cycle Check Trading makes work wear and school uniforms and employs 20 people.