SAB announces its top five winners

South African Breweries (SAB) announced top five winners of its entrepreneurship programme, called SAB Kickstart.

Johannesburg.

The winners were announced during the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) at the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, in Sandton on 18 November 2014.

Each winner received a share of R1.5 million in business grant funding.

The overall winner of the SAB KickStart competition is Millicent Nyembe of Nyembe Waste Management who walked away with R500 000 grant funding and a six months business development support and mentorship.

The runners-up were Chad Petersen, owner of Artisan Research Unit, who received R400 000; Tsholofelo Majeng, owner of Maiktronic CC, who received R300 000; Reamogetswe Tshabalala, owner of Pfuxaka Enzokuhle, received R200 000; and Jeffrey Mafalo, owner of Falo’s Wire and Steel, who received R100 000.

They will also receive additional six months’ business development support and mentorship to assist in efficiently employing the grant investment provided.

The top five winners were selected from a group of 17 SAB KickStart finalists who each underwent an intensive programme of business development support over a period of 12 months.

This included a business growth strategy designed for their business, grant funding of between R100 000 and R200 000, as well as individualised business mentorship.

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 programme’s efforts are focused on instilling a culture of entrepreneurship among young South Africans by providing much-needed finance coupled with business development support and intensive mentorship.

The beneficiaries should, as a result, be empowered to build thriving enterprises and create much needed jobs.

Details: Azure Janneker, SAB Media and Communication 011 881 8562; 079 505 6966; @SAB_KickStart