Micro-entrepreneurs win big in Sandton
SANDTON - The Citi Group hosted the prize giving for their annual Micro-Entrepreneurship Award in Sandton, with KwaZulu-Natal farmer and businessman Mandla Buthelezi going home with the R60 000 first prize on 19 February.
The award, which was launched in 2005, is an international programme established by Citi Foundation which spans more than 30 countries. The signature initiative of the foundation aims at raising awareness about the importance of micro-entrepreneurship and micro-finance by supporting the economic empowerment of low-income individuals.
South Africa’s Citi Group country officer Dennis Evans said, “The aim is to celebrate and promote the effective role that micro-finance plays in poverty alleviation around the world.”
Buthelezi (52) received first prize for his contribution to improving conditions in his community as an experienced farmer. Supporting his wife, mother and seven children through his business, he has farmed since 1989 and now operates an eight-hectare farm in Jozini, Makhathini, which produces green mielies, potatoes and sugar beans, among others.
The second prize of R30 000 went to Johannesburg-based beauty salon operator Khanyisile Barbara Mkhize. Third prize went to Ngoako Alex Malakalaka from Limpopo, who won R24 000 for his polish manufacturing business.
Fourth prize went to Soweto printing and stationary supplier Oscar Khumalo who walked away with R12 000, and the fifth prize of R6 000 went to Mary-Jane Khethayiphi for her KwaZulu-Natal construction company Brainwave Projects.
