The Entrepreneur empowers 21 local businesses, three share R75 000 in funding

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GEORGE NEWS AND VIDEOS - The winner of The Entrepreneur 2024 is Themkosi "Benson" Mkize from Kwanonqaba Industries Eden Tyres.

This intensive training and mentorship programme for local businesses is sponsored by Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) and hosted by the George Business Chamber (GBC).

Today, at Nelson Mandela University’s (NMU) George campus, 21 small businesses received certificates for successfully completing the programme.

In addition, three entrepreneurs received a combined total of R75 000 in business support.

While only 21 of the more than 50 applications could be accepted, the vision is to at least double the number of successful applicants.

“We expect more next year. We want to get at least 40 because 20 entrepreneurs aren’t enough for George,” said Adele Potgieter, director of the GBC.

In 2023 the programme trained and mentored 19 entrepreneurs.

Mkize was awarded R40 000 to support his business, along with a one-year membership to the GBC.

Joined by the winner of The Entrepreneur programme is in the back from the left Adele Potgieter (director of the GBC) and Alwyn van Rensburg (mentor). In the front from the left is Johannes Jumat (GBC chairperson), Themkosi ‘Benson’ Mkize (Kwanonqaba Industries Eden Tyres, R40 000), Brenda Vorster (George airport manager) and Elelwani Ttshikovhi (group manager:transformation for Acsa).

In second place, Precious Life received R25 000 in support, while South Cape Recruit secured R10 000 for third place.

“I want to thank my team at the office and the whole George Entrepreneur for being so kind and listening and helping to uplift our entrepreneurs even in the townships because I started this business not really knowing what it is that I’m doing, but I know one thing for sure: I am an entrepreneur,” said Mkize.

Supporting sponsors for the programme include George Herald and Algoa FM as media partners, along with NMU and AHI Western Cape.

VIDEO: The winner of The Entrepreneur 2024 is announced by Adele Potgieter (director of the George Business Chamber (GBC)), along with Paul Hoffman (project manager of The Entrepreneur Program 2024).

Joined by the second place winner of The Entrepreneur programme is from the left is Adele Potgieter (director of the GBC), Johannes Jumat (GBC chairperson), Eldri Havenga (Precious Life, R25 000), Brenda Vorster (George airport manager), Elelwani Ttshikovhi (group manager:transformation for Acsa) and Ina Le Roux (mentor).

Joined by the third place winner of The Entrepreneur programme is from the left is Adele Potgieter (director of the GBC), Johannes Jumat (GBC chairperson), Yvette Meyer (third, South Care Recruitment, R10 000), Brenda Vorster (George airport manager), Elelwani Ttshikovhi (group manager:transformation for Acsa) and Ina Le Roux (mentor). Photos: Jacques du Toit

VIDEO: Themkosi ‘Benson’ Mkize is the winner of The Entrepreneur 2024 competition with his business Kwanonqaba Industries Eden Tyres. Watch as he talks about how he plans to use the R40 000 in support he received to help grow his business.