Creators of new business ideas to be celebrated

The Esayidi TVET College’s Rapid Incubator & Centre for Entrepreneurship with Singatha Business Incubator pitched their final business proposals to a panel of adjudicators as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2023 at the college’s Oslo beach campus recently.

Entrepreneurs from the surrounding community and incubatees from the Incubator recently participated in a master class programme to come up with pitches to win a cash prize from a stake of R250 000 raised from a collection of partners, among them Idwala Carbonates and the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality Local Economic Development (LED) office.

The Esayidi Business Incubator manager, Jobina Chappen said this is the 6th Annual Global Entrepreneurship Programme hosted by the college in the south and will celebrate the achievements of the participants who showcased their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirits, to pursue their dreams.

Chappen said four participants in the community sector are from Gcilima, four from KwaNzimakwe and 16 internal incubatees pitched in the final round.

“The competition seeks to find business ideas that have the potential to create jobs, that are scalable and innovative. Our prize-giving ceremony and celebration will be held on November 30 at Esayidi TVET College, Oslo beach campus from 10:00,” said Chappen.

Thulile Mkhize from Coastal College Umlazi wowed the judges with her award-winning pitch which scored her a championship win at the Allan Gray Maker Inter-College Pitch Collection, provincially and nationally in the business idea category.

“My company, Dye-Star was started after I discovered that most college students cannot afford to buy new clothes all the time and their clothes lose colour after a few months. I have created employment and received some funding to continue the business,” said Mkhize.

Nokhanya Malevu of Khanya Projects and Consulting, trading as Hair Glow of Esayidi Rapid Incubator said she was grateful to be part of the competition and is looking forward to winning.

“My business comprises hair care and if I do win I will be able to create more jobs and grow. Currently I only employ people on a part-time basis, depending on the demand.

Mthokozisi Mbuthuma of Amaqhayiyana wakwaXolo Kindom Pty Ltd has a waterproof school bag business and has won two Incubator awards previously. He said his business idea came at a young age after seeing the need for such bags to prevent books and stationery from getting wet on rainy days.

“My idea started as a community project, however later turned into a business. I want to grow the business and work with the Department of Education to supply the bags,” said Mbuthuma.

The adjudicators wished all the participants the best of luck and were looking forward to announcing the winners this week.

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