Award for local entrepreneur
Brenthurst resident scoops award at inaugural Township Entrepreneur Awards.
A Brakpan businessman has been recognised and rewarded for his entrepreneurial talent.
Brenthurst resident Jonathan Ngwenya (44) scooped an award at the inaugural Township Entrepreneur Awards, which were held at the Nasrec Centre, near Soweto, on Saturday, last week.
Ngwenya owns Chocs Auto Salvage Centre, which has branches in Vosloorus, Spruitview and Brakpan.
He walked away with an impressive cash prize after surpassing four other finalists and being declared the winner in the Transport, Automotive and Components category.
The awards, which are an initiative of the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, are a first for the province and the country as a whole.
The main objective is to celebrate entrepreneurial talent in township settlements, while building and cementing confidence in township-based businesses.
Equally important is the impact that the awards have in changing negative perceptions about township-based businesses, as well as encouraging and inspiring township entrepreneurs.
Township entrepreneurs were also recognised in the following categories: Construction, Building and Real Estate, Food and Beverages, Manufacturing, Services, Retail and Finance, Tourism and Creative Industries, Entrepreneur with a disability, Social and Community, Woman Entrepreneur and Youth Entrepreneur.
Ngwenya established Chocs Auto Salvage in 2009 and has created employment for 30 individuals from the local community.
The company also has a sustainable CSI initiative, where it supplies food parcels during the festive season, sponsors the annual Diski Games, and also assists the elderly with home repairs.
Also read:
‘Mega’ train project will create thousands of jobs
Take a sneak peek at the new Makro Carnival store
