Walala wasala, says Eskom Business Investment Competition organisers

Chris Bornman, Communication Manager for Eskom Development Foundation.

Participants  and category winners.

Nie Cele

Oupa Kekana

Andile Zingitwa

 

The much anticipated and revered Eskom’s small business competition is now open. Entries for the race are now invited for this annual Eskom Business Investment Competition (BIC), so says Eskom Development Foundation.

 

The BIC is Eskom’s initiative aimed at recognising and rewarding small businesses that are contributing to skills development, job creation and economic growth.

 

Organisers say, this competition is open to enterprises operating in the manufacturing, engineering/construction, trade/services, agricultural and agri-processing sectors across all provinces.

 

They also revealed that R1,3 million worth of prizes are up for grabs across in the competition, South African small business owners are encouraged to seize the opportunity to win their share of the prize money and boost their businesses and much more by way of workshops, training and networking.

 

Eskom’s Development Foundation’s acting CEO, Cecil Ramonotsi, is on record saying, small business owners should not miss out on this opportunity to grow their businesses.

“Eskom is giving small businesses a chance to boost their operations through this competition and I would encourage them to enter as soon as possible to avoid last minute disappointments,” added Ramonotsi.

 

Launched last Friday, at the base of the iconic Orlando Towers in Soweto, Chaf Pozi Chris Bornman Communication Manager Eskom Development Foundation, told the media that his organisation was unleashing equal opportunities and levelling the fields.

 

“The purpose of this project is to give South African owned small companies a chance to walk a journey with Eskom. Its better to walk with someone who has experienced the same challenges,” Bornman said.

 

At the launch, it was also revealed that, All BIC finalists would be given an opportunity to exhibit at the annual 3-day Small Business Expo (SBE) and the #BuyaBusiness Expo to be held from 31 August to 2 September at the TicketPro Dome in Johannesburg.

 

Furthermore it was highlighted that, The Small Business Expo is exclusively dedicated to the development and growth of small and medium enterprises by giving them an opportunity to market themselves and interact with some 7000 corporates, potential investors and customers.

 

 

 

Did you know?

• Deadline for submitting entries is 18 July 2017.

 

• The overall BIC winner in 2016 was Nomcebo Printers from Lydenburg, Mpumalanga. Nomcebo Printers, owned by Nomcebo Sibanyoni, is a production company which does graphic design, printing, heat press and manufacturing of branded log and invoice.

 

• The Eskom Development Foundation is tasked with implementing Eskom’s CSI strategy in sectors including enterprise development, education, healthcare, social and community development.

 

• The BIC has been helping small enterprises grow their operations since it was initiated in 2008.

 

• The financial rewards, the business skills and training provided as part of the prizes, are amongst the key incentives for businesses to enter the competition.

 

• The overall winner across all the four sectors receives R150 000, while each sector’s winner takes home R100 000. There are also prizes for first and second runners-up and all the competition’s finalists receive cash prizes as well.

 

• Prospective candidates should be registered black-owned small and medium enterprises that have been operating for more than two years.

 

 

 

 

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