Boost for small businesses

In a surprising turn of events the team of four entrepreneurs who recently won the Deloitte Business Challenge, stole all top four positions at the Ilembe Chamber Entrepreneur Programme grand finale last week.

Duduzile Joyce Ncanana of Just Meats in Mandeni took home R25 000 to invest in her business as well as an advertorial write up and adverts worth R40 000 over six months in the North Coast Courier.

An overjoyed Ncanana said she would use the money to open a new branch of her business, which she personally will run for three months to get it on its feet.

The modest businesswoman was most surprised at her victory, but chief judge Jane Wiltshire said “there is only one word to describe Joyce Ncanana and that is “The Boss!” She is a true ‘hands on’ entrepreneur and a worthy winner!”

“The mentorship this programme offered was wonderful. I did not have a clear idea of where I was going, but today I can say I have a clear direction,” said Ncanana.

In second place was Jami-Lee Klumper and her business Jami-Lee Designs, which received R20 000 and adverts for three months worth RXXX.

“At only 20 years old, we cannot help wondering if she is not the next Richard Branson! She is going to use her prize money to set up local women with sewing machines to make her clothes, as her business has expanded to the point where she needs extra hands,” said Wiltshire.

In third place was Errol Dhaniram from Farley Farm who received R10,000, with which he will buy another tunnel for Farley Farm, where he grows vegetables.

Fourth with a prize of R7,500 was Bongani Ncgobo of Umona Omuhle Co-op, a furniture making business, in Isithebe.

“We have looked for winners that have got the stamina, enthusiasm, track record and vision to contribute to increasing the local economic development and we found many of them,” said Wiltshire.

“Our biggest challenge was paring our list down.”

Sixteen semi-finalists, whittled down from 130 entrants, began their journey in March and went through an 16 week intensive course on the ins and outs of running a business.

The Chamber’s business support center manager and programme coordinator Nobuhle Funda echoed Wiltshire’s sentiments.

“They were very committed and as a result they blossomed, making it challenging to choose only four winners,” said Funda.

Chamber CEO Cobus Oelofse said the Entrepreneur programme was initiated by the Chamber with the aim of identifying and providing entrepreneurs and owners of micro-businesses with a grounding to develop their businesses to a sustainable level.

“Participants are exposed to intensive business modeling, both through tuition and practical application, co-designed by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and USA-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

The entrepreneurs are supported through mentorship by Chamber accredited mentors with invaluable business experience,” said Oelofse.

This year the KZN Business Chamber’s Council (KBCC) adopted the programme and launched the competition at four other Chambers across KZN. This is jointly supported by the KZN Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Department of and the private sector.

The winners of each participating Chamber will compete on a provincial level at the KBCC Entrepreneur event on 19 November.