Entrepreneur bags the prize

An aspiring Groutville carpenter and cupboard manufacturer, Siphesihle Gumede, was named the winner of The Entrepreneur competition at Umhlali Country Club on Wednesday, October 3.
Gumede learned his trade from his uncle Bheki and helped him run the business up until he passed away in 2008. Gumede has since grown his business and has another full time employee.
“I have a lot of customers as I target the middle income bracket and many people are building houses in the area,” said Gumede.
He intends to keep developing his business.
“Hopefully one day my business will be international,” he said.
The ten finalists exhibited their businesses and made final presentations before the top five winners were announced.
Thirty semi-finalists began their journey in May and went through an eight week course learning the ins and outs of running a business. Ten finalists were then selected and went through another four weeks of training as they prepared for their final exhibitions.
Each of the finalists presented their businesses to judges, local business owners, dignitaries and guests.
Ilembe Mayor, Welcome Mdabe, was full of praise for the successful competition.
“I am impressed with the Ilembe Chamber’s directors and board members for coming up with such a creative and innovative idea. We will invite the Premier of Natal to next year’s competition,” he said.
The mayor challenged the chamber and business people to engage with the services the budding entrepreneurs have to offer.
Gumede won R25 000 as well as an advertorial write up and adverts worth R40 000 over six months in the North Coast Courier.
In second place was Chantelle Sharples and her business Etiquette which received R20 000 and adverts for three months worth R13 500. In third place were partners Sandi Nzungane and  Mthethowakhe “Wise” Shangase who received R18 000 for their Shoot 4 Change business.
The judges chose Gumede’s business, Superior Kitchens, as the overall winner as he had a clear focus on a market niche and they identified his “absolute commitment to quality”.
Rounding off the evening, Ilembe Chamber CEO Trenley Tillbrook officially opened applications for next year’s competition.
Tillbrook and the top three winners set off to Johannesburg for the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry convention on Wednesday. They will pitch against other chamber winners for more funding.