Johannesburg. The top 17 national finalists in SAB’s youth entrepreneurship programme, SAB KickStart, have created a total of 98 fulltime and part-time jobs since the start of the year. This is 34 more jobs than was created in 2013, when SAB KickStart finalist businesses created a total of 64 jobs.
This comes soon after the announcement by Statistics South Africa (30 October 2014) that the unemployment rate in the country had decreased slightly from 25.5% to 25.4% in the third quarter of 2014. However, youth unemployment amongst people between the ages of 15 and 35 remains high, falling more than 20% since 2008.
Government’s National Development Plan (NDP) calls for the country to find ways to reduce the ‘alarming levels’ of youth unemployment and to provide them with more opportunities, and small business has been singled out as playing a key role in creating jobs.
SAB KickStart, introduced in 1995, is designed to help address this need to create sustainable jobs through supporting the development of high impact young entrepreneurs.
The programme’s efforts are focused on instilling a culture of entrepreneurship amongst young South Africans; offer leading startup development support to promising small business; invest in the creation of a quality pipeline of entrepreneurs in core industries and sectors; develop and entrench a thriving ecosystem of support for the development of business ideas while bridging the enterprise development offering gap for startup businesses.
The 2014 SAB KickStart finalist entrepreneurs, who specialities vary from design and manufacturing to wellness and vegetation management, amongst others, were selected from a group of 60 entrepreneurs shortlisted to participate in the programme following an intensive two-week business training workshop where they learnt how to develop a bankable business plan and other essential business skills.
The 98 jobs were created by the finalist businesses during an intensive year-long programme of business development support offered by SAB KickStart.
SAB KickStart incorporates the development of a growth strategy for each business following a needs analysis. This is used as the basis of the 12-month long programme of business development support and includes individualised business mentorship for each of the finalists, as well as grant funding for their business.
This support model is designed to build and strengthen the capabilities of the SMEs so that they become sustainable entities with the ability to create jobs, wealth and make a worthwhile contribution the country’s economy.
“The year-on-year increase in job creation by our young SAB KickStart finalists is an encouraging indication that our model of outcomes-based business training, grant funding and comprehensive business development support, has potential to establish strong small business.
“And although it may seem as only a small drop in the ocean, these young entrepreneurs are in their own way making a meaningful difference in the lives of people they employ within their respective communities, ” says Refentse Shinners, SAB Enterprise Development Manager.
The Top 5 entrepreneurs will be selected from the group of 17 finalists and each awarded additional grant funding for their businesses of between R100 000 and R500 000
In selecting the winners, an independent panel of judges considers the overall business performance, business sustainability and its potential, as well as the effective implementation of growth strategies during the SAB KickStart mentorship and business development phase.
Winners will be announced in mid-November 2014.
See finalist information below:
GAUTENG
Tsepho Marumule, 30, is owner of Tsepho Merafong Trading, an environmental and sustainability solutions company offering sustainability reporting, greenhouse gas emissions measurement, reduction strategies and training, and carbon tax advisory. The business is based in Khutsong, Carltonville.
Leeko Nkala, 34, is the owner of Chilladiddo, a food relish production, packaging and distribution business based in Hammanskraal in Northern Gautetng.
Marcia Mofokeng, 33, is the owner of Alurcia Aluminium and Glass based in Katlehong in the East of Johannesburg. The business manufactures customised aluminium windows, sliding doors and shop front doors.
Reamogetswe Tshabalala, 26, is the owner of Pfuxaka Enzokuhle, a business that manufactures tombstones and composite material products such as sanitary ware. It is based in Bronkhorstspruit.
Lerato Radebe, 35, is owner of Imagined Steel and Structural Engineering, based in Kagiso near Krugersdorp. The business specialises in the fabrication of steel products, including carports, mobile trailers and gates.
Millicent Nyembe, 31, is the owner of Millicent Nyembe Waste Management, which specialises in crime scene cleaning and transportation of health care risk waste. The business is based in Pretoria.
WESTERN CAPE
Benjamin Mdokwana, 35, is the owner of Ben Petroleum, a supplier of cost effective paraffin to communities in the Western Cape. Benjamin is originally from Queenstown in the Eastern Cape.
Chad Petersen, 32, is owner of Artisan Research Unit, a designer, manufacturer and distributer of premium leather products, based in Cape Town.
LIMPOPO
Jeffrey Mafalo, 35, is the owner of Falo's Wire and Steel based in the Makotse Villiage of Lebowakgomo. The business manufactures and distributes wire and steel products.
KWAZULU NATAL
Sboniso Mtshali, 31, is the owner of Africonic Data, a ICT Management and networking solutions business, based in Umhlanga, north of Durban. Sboniso is originally from Lamonville in Durban.
Simphiwe Mazibuko, 33, is the owner of Ejimini, a community health and wellness centre based in Empangeni.
Sicelo Mzimela, 31, is the owner of Tender Taste Trading, a uniquely South African restaurant based in Westville and Durban's CBD. The restaurant offers interest menu choices, including ‘Black Empowerment'.
NORTHERN CAPE
Tsholofelo Majeng, 33, is the owner of Maiktronic CC, a structural metal fabrication business established in 2011 and based in the Northern Cape town of Kuruman. The business also supplies and installs electronic and security systems.
Earl Strauss Muller, 32, is the owner of NAM Petroleum, a producer of renewable and environmentally friendly biodiesel and the only one of its kind in the Namaqua Region. The business is based in Concordia, Springbok.
Abram Rankeng, 34, is the owner of Rainbow Granite and Marble Works Enterprise based in Kimberly. The business manufactures granite products including countertops, tiles and tombstones.
EASTERN CAPE
Wanni Toyana, 33, is the owner of Otjiwarongo Projects, a vegetation management business specialising in grass cutting and tree felling for private and public clients. The business is based in East London.
Siphamandla Javi, 29, is the owner of Mzansi Telecoms and Projects based in Port Elizabeth. The business specialises in providing telecommunications solutions in the Eastern Cape province.
