Nie Cele
Under the theme “Embrace equity” four of the best Courageous and brave women entrepreuners were celebrated in style and showered with prestigious awards, Thanks to Mzansi’s Premier business bank, Bidvest Bank and Beauty and grooming Brand Sorbet.
Highlights of the day and ceremony was telling comments and speeches made by all stakeholders responsible for that auspicious event.
Bidvest CEO, Hannah Sadiki told guests this was a first of its kind initiative and hoped it will be maintained.
“This is a start of a journey and a vision we had 18 months ago. This marks an important day for women.”
Sadiki also explained the initiative was tailor-made to incubate smme’s.
“This is about empowering women who run their businesses. And we want to make sure we create a space where SMME’S employs other people and we wanted to make sure they have access to finance at Bidvesy bank.”
Sadiki was also quick to state that the initiative was not about quota.
Winners were all on cloud nine and couldn’t contain their joy.
Sharon Dikgale said, “I just want to empower other people.”
Sibongile Dlamini told the audience, “This will give me and my children a better life because where I come from there are no opportunities of this magnitude.”
Zimkita Yeki, said, “I entered the competition to elevate my business.”
READ BELOW THE DETAILED STORY ABOUT SORBET-PRENEURS
SORBET AND BIDVEST BANK HONOURS THE WINNERS OF SORBET-PRENEUR INITIATIVE
‘Wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo’ – You Strike a woman, You Strike a Rock. A phrase famously used in South Africa to celebrate and honour women.
Beauty and grooming Brand Sorbet and Bidvest Bank, South Africa’s premier business bank for entrepreneurs, revealed and celebrated the winners of Sorbet – Preneur; an initiative designed to give aspiring entrepreneurs an opportunity to own their own Sorbet franchise. The intimate event was held on 15 March 2023 at the Bidvest Bank Head Office in Sandton.
The following women with a combined experience of 32 years at Sorbet, were announced as campaign winners and are on their way to owning a Sorbet Salon or Nailbar franchise:
- Sharon Dikgale
- Zimkita Yeki
- Palesa Kouakou
- Sibongile Dlamini
To acknowledge these amazing women as they realise their entrepreneurial journey and to honour International Women’s Month, Sorbet and Bidvest Bank conducted a prize giving ceremony to award the winners, and presented them with trophies and gifts to celebrate their remarkable achievement.
Linda Sinclair, CEO of the Sorbet Group says “It gives me such great pleasure to welcome the recently announced Sorbet – Preneur winners and Sorbet Salon franchise owners. What an honour, we look forward to empowering these amazing women with enough tools and skills that will see them succussed on their entrepreneurial journey.”
Hannah Sadiki, Bidvest Bank CEO, echoes a similar sentiment: “Entrepreneurial drive and ambition are essential to building a prosperous future in South Africa and it is very important that finance providers are able to respond to this need. At Bidvest Bank, we know that access to finance is a key driver in the creation, survival and growth of innovative new ventures. We are very encouraged by the response and the quality of the finalists to this innovative new partnership with Sorbet.”
The Sorbet – Preneur initiative is developed for Sorbet Citizens who aspire to become franchise owners but are not in a position to raise the funding. The Sorbet Citizens include employees who are employed across the Sorbet Group franchise-owned stores. The new franchise owners of a Sorbet Salon or Nailbar will receive 50% of the investment required to set up their businesses in the form of unencumbered cash from Bidvest Bank. Sorbet will waive the initial franchise fee, this means that all of this portion of the funding can be used to set up and equip the store.
Bidvest Bank will also provide a business loan to cover the balance of the funding needed to get started, which will also cater for initial operating costs. The amounts will be repayable over a five-year period aligned to the franchise agreement.
ADDITIONAL INFO SUPPLIED.
