Eskom is assisting emerging enterprises to reach the clear and measurable growth targets President Cyril Ramaphosa has recently set for the small business sector.
So said Eskom Development Foundation CEO Cecil Ramonotsi when he announced the winners of its Business Investment Competition (BIC) in Johannesburg last night.
He welcomed President Ramaphosa’s announcement that steps will be taken to support the growth of small businesses: making it possible for SMEs to participate in state tenders, strict deadlines for payment of goods and services and the creation of a township and entrepreneurship fund.
It is in this space that the Eskom Development Foundation is making a targeted contribution through the BIC. The competition encourages entrepreneurship by recognising and rewarding small businesses as well as connecting them with big business, government departments and other prospective clients.
This year marked the competition’s eleventh with a record number of entries – more than triple compared to 2018.
The latter is done at The Business Connect, a two-day event which kicks off tomorrow and includes top speakers, business experts on trends and innovative solutions as well as networking.
This year’s overall winner is the Salad Lab, a premium food produce business that offers pre-cut, ready-to-cook vegetables delivered to your doorstep and to the catering and canteen industries. Its CEO Sthandwa Mthimkhulu said that the prize of R300 000 comes at a much-needed time.
“We are grateful to Eskom for its support, acknowledgment and encouragement. Not just for our company but all the finalists here.”
Winners per category:
Manufacturing
- Winner – Ramtsilo (Sasolburg, Free State)
- First runner-up – LMN Health and Wellness Solutions Pty Ltd (Umbongintwini, KwaZulu-Natal)
- Second runner-up – Bona Once Bona Twice Drums (Springs, Gauteng)
Trade and Services
- Winner – Phakama Services Group Pty Ltd (Edenvale, Gauteng)
- First Runner up – Atlegang Business Consulting (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
- Second Runner – CS Security (Louis Trichardt, Limpopo)
Engineering and Construction
- Winner – Epitome Consulting (Kempton Park, Gauteng)
- First Runner-up – Impumelelo Yamakhosikazi (Johannesburg, Gauteng)
- Second Runner-up – AM Engineering Consulting Pty Ltd (Port Elizabeth, Gauteng)
Agriculture and agro-processing
- Winner – Blouberg Animal Health Services (Bochum, Limpopo)
- First runner-up – Tesselaarsdal Wines Pty Ltd (Hermanus, Western Cape)
- Second runner-up – Setšong Tea Crafters (Marble Hall, Limpopo).
Category winners scooped R131 250 each, first runners-up R75 000 each, while second runners-up each received R50 000.
Eskom’s Ramonotsi said the Development Foundation is “strengthening a sector that will be critical to the ability of South Africa to meet its economic growth targets as well as our very ambitious development targets in the fields of training, skills development, poverty alleviation and social cohesion”.
