The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) has announced the winners in the 2012 Seda Small Business Stars national business plan competition.
The winners were selected after 180 finalists – drawn from more than 5,500 entries – presented their business concepts to 18 provincial judging panels, who selected a total of 11 national finalists.
Another four special category awards were allocated; these included best woman entrepreneur, best youth entrepreneur, best job-creating entrepreneur and best entrepreneur with a disability.
The winners were announced at a gala function in Sunninghill, Johannesburg on Tuesday by the Chairman and CEO of Seda, Mr Lindo Mngomezulu and Ms Hlonela Lupuwana.
The national winner, Adesh Naidoo from Kwa-Zulu Natal, Clean Street, won a laptop, software, R50 000 in cash, plus R600 000 in business support value from Seda.
Adesh is a passionate and determined entrepreneur, who plans to take his concept – a special green-friendly litter bin that provides advertising revenue for the city, to every municipality in South Africa. The judges believe that Adesh has the drive and business acumen to launch this product, even in the highly competitive media sector, and unanimously gave him their highest score.
Prizes for the national runners-up include: R10 000 in cash, all runners-up share R240 000 business support value from Seda:
- Palesa Moeketsi from Western Cape – Chesa Communications: Palesa’s media company has pioneered the concept of simultaneous syndicated programming to a network of small community radio stations, thus opening up a whole new marketing channel to advertisers. The judges believe that Palesa’s unique community radio syndication business is not only innovative but is poised to grow as this media sector expands – her passion and energy should also be a major factor.
- Bokao Theka from North-West, Canvas Products: Bokao has taken a simple, borning product – canvas – and created a range of high quality canvas products from laptop bags to lapas. This business, say the judges, not only has national potential, but shows great entrepreneurship from someone who started as a cleaner.
- Lizelle Beukes from Gauteng, Arrero Premium Car Fragrance: The fragrances are based on designer aromas, and not the typical “fruity” smells currently available. As people spend more time in their cars, and as the average age of cars on the road increases due to high new car costs, this is a way for people to keep a new car sensation for longer. The judges believe Lizelle’s product could really take off, as people hold on to their cars for longer in a recession, and spend more on beautifying them for the long haul. Branding is the key, and that’s what the judges have recommended Seda’s business advisers focus on.
