Twenty-one finalists in the iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism’s The Entrepreneur competition will exhibit their businesses in Ballito this Friday.

Open to the public, the exhibition offers potential investors and business partners an opportunity to meet the entrepreneurs and explore their products and services.

Through the competition, the 21 small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) have received mentorship, practical business guidance and support from established local business leaders.

The programme is supported by Enterprise iLembe, Airports Company South Africa (King Shaka International Airport), The North Coast Courier, Siza Water and ENGIE Peakers Operations.

The exhibition takes place at the CMH Ballito showroom on Friday, October 23, from noon. RSVP on 087 354 6343 or email sakhile@ilembechamber.co.za.

1) Cebolenkosi Sikhenjane – Cebos Zonke Projects

Based in Groutville, Cebos Zonke Projects transforms agricultural produce into affordable, convenient food products. Its range includes tomato sauce, processed tomatoes, chilli sauce, mayonnaise, yoghurt and prepared foods. By using local and, where possible, organically produced ingredients, the business aims to combine quality and affordability while supporting local agricultural production. Sikhenjane aims to expand production and market reach while supporting local farmers and creating jobs.

2) Sandile Masinga and Sifundo Dube – Natalia’s Farm

Masinga and Dube are developing an 11-hectare farming enterprise focused on fresh fruit and vegetable production. Natalia’s Farm aims to increase production, establish a stronger market presence and contribute to local food security through sustainable agricultural practices.

3) Nomkhosi Mwandla – Mandubs Fashion Designs

Self-taught KwaDukuza designer Mwandla uses her passion for creativity to create customised clothing for weddings, matric dances, traditional celebrations and other occasions.

Her designs incorporate distinctive beadwork and aim to reflect each client’s individual style. She hopes to expand her customer base, create jobs and improve access to quality fabrics and fashion resources in KwaDukuza.

4) Francois & Mayvis Hattingh – Impressive Signs

With more than 18 years of industry experience, the Umhlali-based couple run a signage and branding business completing more than 120 projects monthly.

Services include shopfront signage, vehicle branding, laser engraving and cutting. They aim to expand their operations across KwaZulu-Natal. Their approach is captured in the company’s slogan: ‘Growing Brands Visually’.

5) Mbali Ngcobo – Royal Honey

Ngcobo combines agricultural expertise with beekeeping to produce high quality honey for retail markets in bulk. Her business also provides training, mentorship and technical support to emerging farmers. Royal Honey has helped 40 women in KwaZulu-Natal develop beekeeping skills and explore agricultural business opportunities.

6) Desmond Ngwenya – Ngwenya Poultry

Based in Thembeni, Groutville, Ngwenya Poultry supplies fresh eggs to households, shops, restaurants and caterers. Ngwenya hopes to expand production and build a larger customer base while meeting the everyday demand for fresh table eggs.

7) Gugu Nzimande – Ultimate Growers

Nzimande is the driving force behind Ultimate Growers, a Ballito agribusiness that sources fresh produce from farms across South Africa. Established in 2013, its products include whole and packaged produce, fresh-cut vegetables and frozen smoothie packs for corporate, hospitality and retail customers. Nzimande also focuses on improving market access for local farmers.

Her ambition is to grow Ultimate Growers into an increasingly competitive and impactful agribusiness.

8) Candice Shar – Loca Gym Towels

Graphic designer Shar turned more than 20 years of design experience and her love of fitness into a distinctive gym accessory brand. Loca Gym Towels combines practical functionality with bold designs, allowing gym-goers to express their personalities through an everyday essential.

9) Siphiwe Mthembu – SS Mthembu Enterprise

This Thembeni, Groutville, fashion business creates elegant clothing and offers alterations, resizing, repairs, restyling and patchwork. Mthembu combines affordable pricing with personalised service and aims to grow her customer base through quality craftsmanship.

10) Nosipho Ngcobo – Fuze the Branding Co.

With more than a decade of experience, Ngcobo helps businesses develop professional brand identities. She understands the importance of aligning branding with a business’ goals, audience and growth ambitions. Her company provides logo design, business cards, uniforms, embroidery, vehicle branding, banners and promotional displays, with in-house production supporting consistent quality and turnaround times.

11) Bandile Ngidi – Sikhona Ngenkosi Trading

Ngidi runs a KwaDukuza pest management business serving commercial clients, municipal facilities and healthcare institutions. The company provides pest control, eradication and preventative maintenance services, with an emphasis on safety, environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance.

12) Samkelisiwe Simamane – Olwe Broilers

Starting with just 100 chicks, Simamane has grown her KwaDukuza poultry business to produce between 200 and 300 broilers per cycle. Olwe Broilers employs two full-time and five part-time workers. She hopes to expand production and inspire more young women to enter agriculture.

13) Thobisile Masuku – Do Your Best Fitness

This Ballito business offers strength and conditioning, weight management, functional fitness and personalised training. Masuku combines qualifications in personal training and psychology to promote physical fitness and mental wellbeing. Masuku founded Do Your Best Fitness in 2020 as an online community, but she now offers in-person training too, as well as virtual consultations.

14) Sayinile Mpanza – Sandanezwe Security

Mpanza identified a need for security services tailored to holiday-home owners. Her business offers regular property inspections, patrols, monitoring and communication with owners while they are away. She aims to build a specialist security company known for reliability and personalised service.

15) Mqondisi Maphumulo – Mqondisi Eggs

Maphumulo is building his business around a simple, everyday need: providing fresh, affordable and reliable eggs to his community.

Mqondisi Eggs focuses on product quality, convenient packaging and dependable service, with plans to expand production and reach more customers.

16) Babini Ntloko – Buso Media

Ntloko uses his background in media, communication and digital marketing to help businesses strengthen their brands. Buso Media offers digital strategy, content production, social media management and consulting, helping clients reach customers and improve their marketing.

17) Pretty Mhlongo – Mrs Ms Kitchen

For Pretty Mhlongo, good food is more than a meal – it is an opportunity to serve her community.

As the founder of Mrs Ms Kitchen in Ndwedwe, Pretty is turning this simple idea into a growing local food enterprise. She serves affordable meals, burgers, fast food and beverages to workers, learners, families and event customers. Orders can be placed through WhatsApp.

18) Simo Mthombeni – Eakasi MultiPro Services

Drawing on 11 years of welding experience, Mthombeni launched his steel fabrication business 18 months ago. It produces burglar guards, gates, staircases and other custom steelwork. For Mthombeni, The Entrepreneur programme has been an opportunity to move from being a skilled tradesman to building a stronger, more structured and scalable business. He hopes to improve business systems, manage costs more effectively and attract customers through digital platforms.

19) Sithabiso Mthembu – Nuevo Design Co

Mthembu identified a gap between inexpensive mass-produced furniture and costly bespoke pieces. His business manufactures modern, affordable and functional furniture, including wardrobes, TV units, cabinets and decorative wall panels. He aims to expand production while creating local employment and skills-development opportunities.

20) Mhlengi Cebisa – Dludla Group

Cebisa provides professional sound, lighting and audiovisual services for weddings, concerts, corporate functions and other events.

His experience includes work alongside Audio Visual Lab and providing services for the South African Human Rights Commission. He aims to expand the business into a competitive events services provider.

21) Nontsikelelo Sitshata – By Lelo

Combining an agricultural background with an interest in natural products, Sitshata creates handcrafted food, wellness and personal-care products. Her range includes jams, syrups, teas, chilli products, health shots and body-care products. She hopes to build a recognised African wellness brand using locally sourced ingredients.