Small business is the backbone of the South African economy, and with rising electricity, food and fuel costs, starting your own business is harder than ever. But, help is at hand as Hansa Pilsener seeks to empower young entrepreneurs and help them on their path to success.
The Special Ingredient search encourages entrepreneurs to enter their business or creative ideas to win a financial kick-start and mentorship from Hansa and SA’s finest entrepreneurs.
Six finalists will each win R50 000 towards growing their business idea and one winner will go through to SAB’s Kickstart Foundation programme, which provides business training, business mentorship and start-up capital to entrepreneurs with promising businesses.
“Our judges are chef Citrum Khumalo and businessman and entrepreneur Lebo Gunguluza, who have their own brand of something special-nyana, which is why they were chosen to help Hansa find people with a special ingredient,” said Mosidi Seretlo, General Manager of Hansa Pilsener.
A series of campus and community activations encouraging people to enter will take place around the country, with the first event taking place at Johannesburg’s Hotel Lamunu Piazza on July 20, followed by more than 200 other gatherings around the country and ending in Pretoria at the Tshwane University of Technology on August 29.
“If you think you have that special ingredient and an idea which requires nurturing and financial investment, the Special Ingredient search is the ideal opportunity to grow your dreams into reality – and take that first step to becoming the next Patrice Motsepe or Mark Shuttleworth,” said Seretlo.
People over the age of 18 can enter by visiting www.hansaspecialinside.co.za/
Last year’s winners have used their head starts to get ahead. Johannesburg IT specialist Betty Mokoena used her R25 000 to start a business training municipal and government workers in IT.
Wits University students Jonas Mathekga used his R25 000 funding to start a snooker league while Tshepo Makgoba bought equipment which allowed him to open a community dance school.
Mthunzi Mavubengwana is studying third year BCom Finance at the University of Johannesburg and used his R25 000 to buy equipment for his solar power business.
Eastern Cape Entrepreneurs are invited to submit their ideas to MyPE for further exposure – just drop us a note HERE.
See some of the Eastern Cape Ideas below:
- Zama’s nails – An idea by Thando Khumalo: Snake skin nails for students at a cheaper price.
- Chymamusiq Entertainment – An idea by Collen Mmotla: Its basically going to deal with organising events to generate profile and running a record label which specializes in house music, afro-pop, Kwaito and jazz. At the events I’m going to book atleast 2 well known artists which are favoured by the publics to ensure that the event gets good support by attendance. I also will future some of the artists under my label to help them get public exposure.
- SP-CARD – An idea by Risimati Vincent Baloyi: The SP-CARD is a fan driven solution, designed to provide Venues with a convenient management tool, enabling efficient event management, enhanced security, better customer service, introduction of additional revenue and rewarding loyal fans.
- worldaidpainting.com – An idea by Nicky van Lavieren: Be part of the bigger picture. The website will host community projects, in a digital photo “canvas” form. Members will register ownership of a colour dot on the canvas. The canvas will be painted by the community members and funds will be raised that way.
And I didn’t see one Vuyo?
Alan Straton
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