The winners of the seventh instalment of the City of Cape Town’s annual #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge were announced at a gala event at the Cape Town Civic Centre last night. The entrepreneurial challenge supports youth owned businesses, gives budding entrepreneurs a hand up and at the same time, stimulates job creation within their communities.
The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia van der Ross, handed over the first prize to Khaya Burwana for his business, Hatch of Oak Poultry Farming, which does small scale poultry farming.
The first runner up is Lolwetu Maliwa with his e-gaming business Hakumo Gaming Café and second runner up is Mzikhona Mgedle, who represented the Langa Bicycle Club.
‘The finalists are all winners as they are not only taking charge of their own lives, but they are already making a difference in their communities and to the country’s economy. The #YouthStartCT entrepreneurial challenge gives young people an opportunity to prove themselves, grow their business and spread economic wealth, while the winners will now have a chance to partner with the City on projects that will uplift job seekers and provide sustainable employment opportunities,’ said Councillor van der Ross.
The challenge encourages young people between the ages of 18 and 35 to submit their existing businesses, which already creates employment opportunities for youth, or business ideas, which includes employment opportunities for young people.
The other finalists are:
| Andile Lucky Msolo | ALMQI |
| Keron Basson | Western Cape Tours & Transport |
| Mboneleli Gqirana | IKhayelitsha Hub |
| Nomava Sipedu | Igugu Le Ntokazi |
| Nonkoliseko Gqomane | Premiere cleaning solutions |
| Tarsha Scholtz | T on Trend Designs |
| Thabisho Sechogela | Kasi Kuisine Restaurant |
| Unathi Zincina | Umyezo Juicery |
#YouthStartCT was born from research around the challenges young entrepreneurs face, including:
• Access to capital, equipment/tools and space (many work from home)
• Limited experience and mentorship/guidance
• Limited confidence and contacts to promote their business
Competitors were offered support to help them commercialise their solutions through a dynamic training and mentorship programme, which is focused on developing both the entrepreneur and their business idea.
In addition, the winners also received the following prizes:
| Prize |
| R30 000 cash: 1st place R20 000 cash: 2nd place R10 000 cash: 3rd place R5000 cash: 4th – 11th place |
R100 000 in branding services and materials to be distributed among the Top 10
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| Workshop 17 will sponsor the top three teams:
A complimentary hot desk membership to the value of R7 500 including the following:
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| MTN contribution of prizes for the top 11 winner – devices (laptops and cellphones) |
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To the top 11 winners will get the opportunity to go through a full year of incubation.
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| The top three winners will each receive a 2TB external hard drive worth R1500 each. |
‘The challenge is an example of our efforts to uplift our communities from poverty by empowering our young business leaders. By giving them the opportunity to grow their businesses and employ more people, these young entrepreneurs can help to address the huge social burdens of unemployment and poverty,’ said Councillor van der Ross.