Financier boosts entrepreneurs

Entrants have an opportunity to learn how to start a business through free training, and the opportunity to win a cash prize to help fund their business.

Johannesburg - The SME Toolkit Business Partners Limited has announced winners for the business plan competition for aspiring entrepreneurs, which provides skills training to help build an active SME sector.

The competition, run by business financier Business Partners Limited, is now in its 12th year, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools they need to start their businesses. All entrants have an opportunity to learn how to start a business through free training, access to mentorship and the opportunity to win a cash prize to help fund their business.

The competition allows aspiring entrepreneurs of all ages to enter.

Entrepreneur Zama Ngwenya, owner of a newly established seasoning and spice business won the 2021 SME Toolkit Business Partners Limited business plan competition for aspiring entrepreneurs, beating 510 entrants.

Ngwenya previously owned a shuttle tour business and started Zama’s Choice Spices and Herbs after the Covid-19 lockdowns that forced her to close her tourism business.

She now has a second chance with a R30 000 mentorship voucher and

R30 000 in seed capital. Through her online spices and herbs wholesale business, Ngwenya now sells her products nationally and plans to approach local retailers to stock her spices.

The first runner-up was Christopher Lodi and Tshepo Nosi who run Nodi’s Lifestyle, an entertainment venue in Tweefontein, Mpumalanga. The venue will be decorated in the colourful Ndebele community colours and offer unique experience with a fusion of traditional Shisanyama fare and a cosmopolitan menu made for socialising.

The second runner-up was Bankies Matlou, owner of Bontle Sanitary Towels, a start-up providing natural sanitary wear to lower income