Nyadzeni Makhado urges aspiring entrepreneurs to put themselves out there
Originally from Venda in Thohoyandou, he said he has his mother to thank for where he is in life today.
LIMPOPO – Nyadzeni Makhado, the founder and CEO of the Sandton based Prodeliver Group, says it has been a long journey but he made it. Nyadzeni was named the 2018 winner of the Eskom Business Investment Competition (BIC) and hopes his story will inspire young entrepreneurs to enter the competition.
“I was amazed when my company was named the winner. The level of completion was tough, and I thought maybe if I’m lucky I’d win my category or be a runner-up, I just didn’t expect to be the overall winner of such a big competition,” he said. He added that the prize money was reinvested back into the business.
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Originally from Venda in Thohoyandou, he said he has his mother to thank for where he is in life today. “My mother owned and operated a tailor shop and a tuck shop which targeted learners in primary schools and during school breaks, I would help her out. My mother gave me the determination to succeed and thanks to her I am where I am today,” he added.
His advice to young aspiring entrepreneurs is to seek an incubation or enterprise development programme, attend networking sessions and exhibit.
“To be a successful entrepreneur, you need to do a lot of research and development to further develop products or services, invest in employees and in technology, after all, this is the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Learn what the industry barriers are and start ticking them one by one. And if your current business model is not working, restructure or re-position your business model to create demand,” he advised.
Register now for Eskom Business Investment Competition (BIC) 2019 and stand a chance to win a share of R1.3 million in prizes
The aim of the competition is to contribute towards encouraging entrepreneurship by recognising and rewarding promising small businesses as well as providing a platform for them to become part of a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Registered small and medium enterprises, which have been operating for 24 months or longer, can enter.
R1.3m in prizes up for grabs in small business competition; the overall winner will receive R300 000 while winners in each category will take home R131 250, and the first and second runners-up in each category will win R75 000 and R50 000 respectively.
All BIC finalists will have the opportunity to participate in The Business Connect which takes place in December.
To enter the Business Investment Competition, SMEs can visit www.eskombic2019.co.za. Entries close on 6 November.
