First session of Entrepreneur competition

The much anticipated Ilembe Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur competition kicked off on Saturday, May 23.

A fresh new batch of finalists from the Ilembe district attended the first of 12 sessions at the Ilembe chamber house at The Quarter in Ballito.

The competition will run from May to September and finalists were told by chamber CEO Cobus Oelofse that they should take the opportunity with both hands and make the most of it.

“Do not waste your spot, there are many people who would like to be part of the programme, but you are the select few who have been chosen,” said Oelofse.

Attendance rules are strict and finalists who are late more than twice will lose their place in the runnings. Competition will be fierce as the finalists compete for a share of the combined prize kitty of R60 000 for business development funding and advertising in the North Coast Courier to the value of more than R57 000.

But in this competition everyone is a winner because all 23 finalists benefit from the programme, co-designed by the KZN University and USA-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), exposing them to intensive business modelling, both through tuition and practical application.

During the first session Oelofse also emphasised the importance of doing business ethically, as he said that last year one finalist was found to be involved in illegal mining and was asked to leave the competition.

“The chamber is a business association that represents credible, ethically and progressive business and that is what the programme is about,” said Oelofse.

Last year’s winner Joyce Ncanana said finalists must respect themselves and their businesses and by doing that they will succeed.

“As an entrepreneur you must know yourself and understand what you want and like. Learn to separate your business from your personal life,” said Ncanana.

She said the competition would not be easy and was a serious commitment, but that it would be worth it. Mentor Jim Wilson also encouraged the entrepreneurs to remain focused and follow their vision to success.