City launches business competition
A competition for businesses in an effort to encourage the spirit of entrepreurship among the people of eThekwini. The municipality invites local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), as well as co-operatives, to apply for the 2024 Lions Den Business Plan Competition before the closing date of April 5.
ETHEKWINI Municipality has announced a competition for businesses in an effort to encourage the spirit of entrepreurship among the people of eThekwini. The municipality invites local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), as well as co-operatives, to apply for the 2024 Lions Den Business Plan Competition before the closing date of April 5.
The competition aims to stimulate good business ideas and encourage sustainable entrepreneurship, innovation and competitiveness amongst entrepreneurs. Participants stand the chance to benefit from exciting business development prizes.
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The competition will run in three categories as follows: emerging business with viable business ideas – will accept businesses with a turnover of less than R100 000 per annum established business in need of venture expansion – requires businesses with turnover of more R100 000 and below R500 000 per annum businesses that have demonstrated entrepreneurship excellence – this category is for businesses with a turnover of more than R500 000 per annum that have demonstrated exceptional business practice.
How to enter:
eThekwini mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda said the Lions Den Programme was established to drive the economic transformation agenda. “This programme is yielding great results. When we look back over the years, there are several successful companies that are products of the Lions Den who have gone on to create long-term sustainable jobs. We now invite more SMMEs to partake in this year’s programme. ”
Application forms are also available at the following sites:
Business Support, Tourism, Markets and Agri-Business Unit, 7th Floor Embassy Building, 199 Anton Lembede Street, or at the security desk on the ground floor entrance. All Sizakala Centres Small Enterprise Development Agency, eThekwini branch, 127 Johannes Nkosi Street.
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The form is accessible at www.durban.gov.za. Click on the Government tab, followed by Document and browse on Public Notices.
Previous winners of the competition alluded to the competition as helping grow their businesses. Lungani Nene, founder of Spot-on Fire Controls, won under the Entrepreneurship Excellence category last year.
He walked away with equipment worth R40 000 which he said was a gamechanger for his business. “Winning the award and the publicity we received through the municipality resulted in my company securing business worth R800 000 in a short space of time. The business is growing from strength to strength, and I would encourage other businesses to enter the competition,” said Nene.
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