Historic milestone for business networking in Midrand
"Sleep is the biggest barrier to success."
A milestone in business networking for the Midrand “Jotoria” region recentlytook place in Ebony Park, Midrand.
For the first time, over 60 entrepreneurs and business owners from townships and established areas such as Centurion, Diepsloot, Ebony Park, Edenvale, Fourways, Ivory Park, Midrand and Tembisa came together in an interactive format to seek mutually beneficial business opportunities.
Services including distributorship opportunities, event management, publishing and especially media and advertising services to the 2 million consumers in Tembisa and Ivory Park were highlighted by township entrepreneurs, proof that “township economies” are willing and open for business.
Franchise owners, skills development companies, financial institutions, legal and accounting firms, transport companies and telecoms companies presented a wide spectrum of products, including energy systems, free public wifi systems, web building products and services, and even community/non profit organisations from other areas in Gauteng found township-based counterparts which responded with the next step of meetings and tours of the area.
Guest speaker, Ms Rita Zwane of Imbizo Shisanyama, presented her journey from a small container and one pot to a multi-million Rand business in the township.
“Sleep is the biggest barrier to success,” she said as she spoke about holding down three jobs at one time to save money to launch her dream.
Besides winning the 2013 National Small Business Championship Award, Ms Zwane also captured the top “Giver” award for Gauteng as her business, Imbizo Shisanyama, is a model business which employs and involves many Ebony Park community members who make and package the popular sauces to chefs and serving staff of the restaurant.
A car wash and a beauty salon accompany the restaurant, providing customers with a variety of value added services while they are having an award winning meal – the African Experience.
Ms Zwane was also the first runner up in this month’s AfricaGrowth Service Awards and as a result, dedicated the networking session as part of Youth Month.
The next Biz Mix Networking session intends to follow a similar theme and format, where the top entrepreneurs and business owners from the Diepsloot, Midrand and Fourways areas will meet on Wednesday, July 29, at the Riversands Incubation Centre.
A R300-million public and private partnership dedicated to black SME development in close proximity to the Diepsloot township will also be discussed.
BizMix focuses on the establishment and sustainability of township economies, which has caught the attention of the private sector and the government alike. The growth of township economies has become a recognised priority for South Africa in terms of job creation and skills development.
Dr Nicholas Eberl, an international expert on networking and social media, especially LinkedIn, will be the guest speaker. This will be followed by a tour of the Riversands Incubation Centre, including the numerous training facilities, the amphitheatre and the SME working spaces, by the Riversands CEO.
