Local announced as Entrepreneur of the Year finalist

WITNESSING the plight faced by thousands of rural community members struggling with kidney complications in remote Zululand, Ncamisile Maphumulo last year opened the first dialysis treatment centre in Ulundi.

And for her invaluable health services to her communities, Maphumulo was last week announced one of the 15 finalists in the annual 2015 Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

The Coastal Nephrology Centre offers dialysis treatment, public health check-ups and educational programmes for countless Ulundi, Nongoma, Mahlabathini and Melmoth patients, who previously had to travel hours to the closest centre in Richards Bay.

With hypertension rife in the area, there was no shortage of patients needing kidney treatment.

The centre was an instant hit and quickly branched out with a renal unit in Nongoma in August last year.

Risky business

But it was no smooth road to success for the 33-year-old.

Maphumulo had to upgrade her diploma in medical technology to a degree, without which she would not have been able to run her own practice.

With no equipment, no business plan, no finance and no business experience, the fearless entrepreneur continued to soldier on and fortunately found a helping hand in Business Partners.

A business financier finally decided to back her business based on the market potential and her experience in managing dialysis centres.

‘It was a risky journey, but I was hungry to answer the need in the community which I knew and understood well,’ said Maphumulo.

‘Entrepreneurs should be celebrated and recognised as they all play a vital role in growing the South African economy and creating jobs.’

More than 120 entries were received for this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

The finalists stand the chance of winning prizes worth R2-million, including cash prizes to the value of R350 000.

The winners will be announced on 2 September at the official awards breakfast in Johannesburg.

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