The Local Economic Development section of Alfred Duma Local Municipality hosted the annual Business Week from March 6 to 9.
The event took place at the Indoor Sports Complex, ending on Friday.
Business Week took place in co-operation with SEDA and a variety of other stakeholders and sponsors.
Guest speakers spoke and made presentations on the opening of Business Week.
Most of the information they shared served as a background on how institutions like SEDA work and how best they assist young and upcoming businesses.
Business Week is an information sharing session and networking / marketing platform where businesses meet other businesses and stakeholders responsible for funding and compliance. This year’s event included a business plan challenge where 23 emerging businesses competed against each other. The prizes were sponsored by Alfred Duma Local Municipality, Super Spar Ladysmith and Afrisam.
Isbanisamandla Co-operative won the first prize of R30,000 start-up funding, a laptop sponsored by Afrisam and an R800 goodies pack by Super Spar. Motor Tower Services walked away with the second prize of R10,000 start-up funding, a laptop and R500 worth of goodies.
The third prize of R5000 start-up funding, a laptop and R200 worth of goodies was won by Ferranji Clothing.
All the businesses that were winners are youth-owned and the purpose of the competition was to encourage businesses to understand their business, know what they require to grow their business and be able to market their business to funders, etc.
Alfred Duma Local Municipality say they remain committed and determined to assist all businesses in ensuring growth and development, and programmes such as these are just a step further in making these goals a reality.
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