Entrepreneurs land awards for making an impact
Colin Mkosi, of Langa, walked away with R30 000 as the Western Cape winner of the Iwisa No 1 Community Champions Competition during an awards ceremony in Durbanville on Friday.
Mr Mkosi, 26, runs Cloudy Deliveries, a small business that uses bicycles to deliver goods for restaurants and supermarkets.
He was among the top-10 finalists who spoke about their companies in front of three judges at the Durbanville Conference Centre.
Ncumisa Mkabile, 30, who owns Mancume Fresh Produce in Khayelitsha, a business that sells vegetables and meat, took second place and R20 000.
Thobincedo Qambela, 28, of Philippi, who runs the Fierce Creative Academy, won the R10 000 third prize.
The awards celebrate entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their communities.
“This year’s response was overwhelming and truly humbling. Over 600 entries were received in total across all of the participating regions (Free State, Gauteng, Eastern and Western Cape),” said Sibongile Mooko, a marketing executive at the parent company of the maize meal brand that sponsors the awards.
Entries had been shortlisted based on various criteria, including impact, sustainability, innovation, and community involvement, she said.
Mr Mkosi, who came second in the competition last year, said he would buy more bicycles for his company “so that we give more young people an opportunity to be able to generate income for themselves and sustain their lives".
Ms Mkabile said she would invest in a greenhouse to better manage the effects of weather conditions on her crops and a mobile fridge and freezer to keep her meat fresh.
Mr Qambela said his academy planned to develop an online platform for students to access course content.
The City’s chief whip, Desiree Visagie, encouraged the entrepreneurs to work with each other to build stronger communities. “You are an inspiration to others,” she said.
Mayoral committee member for community services and health Patricia van der Ross said: “Unemployment is heavy. Being able to run a small or big business and put food on the table is a major achievement. Please do not stop. Expand this and your ideas to other communities.”
