Eskom Foundation unveils 2016 BIC award winners
FOURWAYS – Black entrepreneurs recognised at awards ceremony.
Proudly black-owned small to medium-sized enterprises from across South Africa were recently recognised at the 2016 Eskom Business Investment Competition awards ceremony last week.
The glittery event took place in Fourways on 7 September and saw entrepreneurs in the manufacturing, trade and services, construction and engineering as well as agriculture and agro-processing categories recognised for their innovative businesses.
Giving a keynote address at the ceremony was Eskom Holdings chairperson, Dr Ben Ngubane, who celebrated the winners and finalists for each of their contributions.
“Inasmuch as this is a competition, and there will be some who will be called up as winners, I see you all as winners; there are many people who don’t have the privilege to be in your position,” Ngubane said.
“Many of you present have had to make sacrifices to get your businesses off the ground and I take my hat off to that and salute you for your determination.”
Ngubane also highlighted the need to contribute positively towards the economy, which each business did through the job opportunities offered to citizens.
He further highlighted that recognising such businesses was Eskom’s way of fighting the good fight and providing social development to those from disadvantaged backgrounds. “Eskom will continue in this role and also at being an advocate for small businesses because we believe in their potential.”
Also present at the awards was Chose Choeu, chairperson for the Eskom Development Foundation, who encouraged the entrepreneurs to continue growing their businesses beyond the competition.
“Each and every one of the finalists here tonight bears testimony to the spirit of triumph through overcoming great challenges and adversity. I hope that you will all continue what you have started and inspire more people to take the leap of faith into entrepreneurship,” Choeu said.
The Eskom business investment competition, launched in Newtown in July, saw overall winner, Nomcebo Printers, walk away with R150 000 while the category winners took home R100 000 each, the first runners-up, R50 000 each while second runners-up received R25 000.
The winners were also featured at the Small Business Expo, which ran from 8 to 10 September at the Ticketpro Dome.
The annual Business Investment Competition (BIC) was started in 2007 by the Eskom Foundation and is aimed at recognising and rewarding small businesses that are significantly contributing to the fight against unemployment and poverty while contributing to the growth of the economy.
Also read: Eskom set to unveil winners of innovative business competition
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