An award-winning SMME
KwaThema resident Derrick Vilakazi recently won the Absa Best Small Medium Micro Enterprise (SMME) Stand Award at a gala function held at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand.
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The Smart Procurement World SA Exhibition offered many SMMEs the opportunity to gain fresh insight into linking SMMEs to bigger businesses.
The event offered many delegates the opportunity to gain fresh insight into various procurement and supply management topics.
Derrick’s business Vilakazi’s Gardens, was adopted by Sun International about three years ago, and when they offered him a stand at the exhibition to market his small company, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
This decision made him a winner.
“My stand was beautifully decorated with several colourful pot plants,” he says.
The main purpose of the stand was to advertise his company.
Derrick says the day was more than fruitful as he learned a lot about how to grow his business into a much bigger enterprise.
“It is time that people realise what the environment can give back to the human race – plants and trees gives us oxygen therefore it is necessary to look after them,” he says.
The stand offered the judges and other exhibitioners beautiful flowers and fragrances.
Much to his surprise, he was announced the winner for the best stand.
“It was unexpected and a very informative exhibition,” he says.
He believes hard work pays off, not only financially but also in the form of development.
Derrick currently takes care of the gardens at Windmill Park and Carnival City.
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