21 entrepreneurs get a leg-up from SAB KickStart Boost

10 Sep 2018

Twenty-one young South African entrepreneurs have been selected by SAB's youth entrepreneurship programme, SAB KickStart Boost, to receive support over the coming three months to help elevate their businesses, particularly through opportunities for access to market.

Image: @SABEntrepreneur

The 21 finalists have been provided with loan funding to support their individual tailor-made business strategies. These strategies and the loan funding allocated to each have been developed according to a comprehensive needs analysis conducted on their existing businesses, supported by personalised industry mentorship.

Up to five of the top entrepreneur finalists will be awarded additional loan funding. The top entrepreneurs will be selected based on a number of criteria: those that execute their business strategies most effectively; financial and market growth; and job creation. These winners will be announced during an award ceremony in November this year when Global Entrepreneurship Month is celebrated.

The 21 finalists were selected from a group of 50 shortlisted young hopefuls. They are:

Andile Mnisi (33), Green Output Solutions, Midrand
Andre Paulsen (34), Vukela Logistics, Cape Town
Andre Williams (31), AW Engineering, Cape Town
Ebenezer Smith (34), Profecia IT, Port Elizabeth
Gabisile Mashilwana (29), Excserpro, Evander
Kevin Munsamy (35), KCM Environmental Services, Durban
Kgolane Jack Moruthane (35), Flight Mode Productions, Pimville
Mandla Mlandeni (33), Ohambo Oluhle Transport & Projects, Mamelodi East
Mpho Kgoale (34), Twaing Trading, Ga Sekororo
Ndaelo Moses Tshikovhi (33), Third Century Computing, Thohoyandau
Nicole Sithole (32), Organic Deli Fresh Pasta, Durban
Nthabiseng Bonita Mosesane (34), Areye Projects, Rustenburg
Siyanda Luthuli (27), Spectra Flow, Durban
Siyasanga Ngcongca (29), Ngcongca Building Consulting, Cape Town
Tefo Motsage (25), LHP Detergents, Kimberley
Thabang Mofokeng (40), SAMAC Engineering Solutions, Durban
Thabisile Hlongwane (34), Isibusiso Holdings, Bloemfontein
Thozama Hopa (29), Zito Aluminium and Glass, Mdantsane, East London
Violet Thotoane Lupuwana (32), Chumile Transport Services, Gauteng and Eastern Cape
Zinhle Khumalo (37), Ikhethelo Textiles, Umlazi
Zodwa Mlangeni (29), Mementoes Trading, Witbank

SAB will work closely with the SAB KickStart Boost finalists to find opportunities for them to increase their market access, including helping them to connect with appropriate local stakeholders within their respective communities so that more people adopt their services and support their business growth.

Businesses are assisted with aligning to supply chain requirements and are offered targeted market linkages. In addition, SAB KickStart has embarked on an innovative job-creation project through partnering with young SMEs in niche sectors, in particular agriculture.

For more information, visit www.sabentrepreneurship.co.za or follow the programme @SABEntrepreneur on Twitter and Facebook.