Johannesburg - The Gauteng Department of Economic Development on Thursday night announced the finalists of the Township Entrepreneurship Awards at the Germiston Lapa.
There were 214 entrants to the awards, which have various categories: food and beverages; creative industries; tourism; retail and finance; services; manufacturing; agri-business; transport; automotive and components; construction; building and real estate; social and community, and new/start-up enterprises.
Entrepreneur with a disability, youth entrepreneur of the year, woman entrepreneur of the year, entrepreneur of the year and lifetime achievement awards are handed out.
Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile said the awards could help address some of the country’s socio-economic challenges, such as high unemployment.
The awards also helped township entrepreneurs through support, recognition and the rewarding of talent, the MEC said.
“The quality of work taking place in townships is amazing and the results from the shortlisting process are confirmation of inventive and innovative thinking among our township entrepreneurs.
“It’s important that both government and the private sector businesses begin to truly recognise the value that township entrepreneurs can add in the broader business space and to tap into these resources and skills to support and grow township entrepreneurs,” said Maile.
Within the first year of the government implementing its township economy renewal strategy, it spent R1.8 billion on goods and services from township entrepreneurs, with an additional R1.6bn being spent by municipalities.
Maile added that 90 percent of the 11 million jobs to be created by 2030, in line with the Gauteng Township Economy Revitalisation strategy, would come from small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs).
“It is important that robust efforts are made to revitalise the township economy and develop new, innovation-driven industries to ensure inclusive participation in the economy and grow the SMME sector, recognising their fundamental role as a key driver of employment creation and socio-economic development.”
He highlighted that 70 percent to 80 percent of all small businesses failed in their first year and only about half of those that survived remained in business for the next five years. Small businesses had only a 37 percent chance of surviving for four years and 9 percent chance of surviving for 10.
The department aimed to help change this picture by providing support and structures that would enable the progress and sustainability of small businesses.
Maile said they were pleased with the quality of the entries.
All the finalists will take part in a 14-part reality TV show that will see them going through a series of real, practical experiences, intended to sharpen and enhance their business skills.
The winners will be announced at an awards gala dinner in March.
The finalists include:
Agriculture
* Bright Future Agricultural
* Krout Sprout
* Hlubuko Farm Primary Co-Operative
Manufacturing
* Katlego Movement KMC
* Nambitha Nutritional Products
* Hydrangea Trading and Farming
Construction, building and real estate
* TM Group/Teboho Mofamadi Trading and Constructions
* Shirinda Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd
* Linky Building and Civil Contractors
Creative industry
* Bala Books Creations
* Malesela Samuel Mogale Business Enterprise
* Rare Zolution Design and Craft
Food and beverage
* Glopale Trading Enterprise
* Mawele Empire
* Goapele Bakery
Retail and finance
* Fountain of Beauty (F.O.B)
* Cool Apple Dude Buddy (PTY) Ltd
* X-Haulted Trading and Projects CC
Services
* Ama X-Rays (Pty) Ltd
* Makhabisi Recycling and Trading CC
* Cosmo Assure Services T/A Cosmo Funeral
Start-up
* DV Nhlapo Productions
* Kwa Jerry Fast Food
* Vanwamati Business Investments
Tourism
* SN Emthunzini Management CC
* Zaza’s guesthouse and Spa
* Suzy's Nice Palace and Tours
Transport, automotive and componenets
* Kgabo Cars Training Centre
* Nyembe Waste Management (Pty) Ltd
* Yellow Taxi Primary Co-operative
Social and community
* Itireleng Development Projects
* Ditshiamiso business Enterprise