Gauteng government honours township entrepreneurs
'We strive to make more than just a profit – we make a difference.'
August 18, the City of Peace, Ekurhuleni, played host to the glittering Township Entrepreneurship Awards (TEA18) at the majestic Carnival City Casino.
The Township Awards are a flagship of the Gauteng Provincial Government and were launched in 2015 by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) as part of its strategic intervention aimed at revitalizing the province’s townships’ economy.
“The Awards have demonstrated Gauteng Governments’ bold commitment to recognise and reward entrepreneurial talent whilst building and cementing confidence in township-based businesses,” says MEC Lebogang Maile.
Gauteng’s entrepreneurs gathered at the City of Peace to compete in different sectors such as Food and Beverages, Creative Industries, Tourism, Retail and Finance, Services, Manufacturing, Agri-Business, Transport, Automotive and Components, Construction, Building and Real Estate, Social and Community, New and Start-Up Enterprises.
Across all sectors of the following winners, the following categories were then selected: Entrepreneurs with a Disability, Youth Entrepreneur of the Year; Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, and Life Time Achievement Award.
“Our two decorated centennials, Mme Albertina Sisulu and President Nelson Mandela, are a collective expression of our efforts of radically transforming the economy to benefit those previously excluded since this will significantly contribute towards nation-building and consolidation of building equal economic opportunities,” says MEC Maile.
The Crowning Moment
The Stoelbag Foundation, a developer of the groundbreaking circumcision medical device ‘Circumfort’ was crowned the 2018 Entrepreneur of the Year. The three social entrepreneurs’ mission is to create ease, peace of mind and healing for South African men when they get circumcised.
“Through our innovative Circumfort device we do much more than just sell a product, we promote healthy living, empower, employ and contribute towards the township economy,” explains founding member Nokubonga Dlamini. ‘We strive to make more than just a profit – we make a difference.’
The Soweto based trio, Nokubonga Dlamini Musa Morgan and Siqiniseko Ntshangase, were also named the winners of the manufacturing category for their medical device designed to optimize wound care after circumcision procedures.
Dr Anna T Mokgokong was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contribution towards the township economy and the development of business in the health sector.
This year’s finalists, a total of 33 businesses across the sixteen categories, continue to demonstrate beyond a shadow of a doubt that township enterprises offer smart, innovative and relevant solutions to the communities they operate in.
“Gauteng government would like to applaud all finalist and winners for their continuous contribution towards our economy, their passion zest for pushing boundaries,” concludes MEC Maile.
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