TOWNSHIP ENTREPRENEURSHIP AWARDS
URS O N O H T N E M N R E V O G GAUTENG S R U E N E R P E R T N E IP H S TOWN
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he City of Ekurhuleni recently played host to the glittering Township Entrepreneurship Awards (TEA18) at the majestic Carnival City casino. The Township Awards are a flagship of the Gauteng provincial government. They were launched in 2015 by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) as part of its strategy to revitalise the province’s township economy. “The Awards have demonstrated Gauteng government's bold commitment to recognise and reward entrepreneurial talent while building and cementing confidence in township-based businesses,” said member of the executive council (MEC) Lebogang Maile. Gauteng’s entrepreneurs gathered to compete in different sectors, such as food and beverages, creative industries, tourism, retail and finance, services, manufacturing, agri-business, transport, automotive and components, construction, building and real estate, social and community and new and start-up enterprises. Across all sectors, the following categories were then selected: entrepreneurs with a disability, youth entrepreneur of the year; woman entrepreneur of the year, entrepreneur of the year, and the lifetime achievement award. “Our two decorated centennials, Mama Albertina Sisulu and President Nelson Mandela, are a collective expression of our efforts of radically transforming the economy to benefit those previously excluded, since this will significantly contribute towards nation-building and consolidation of building equal economic opportunities”, said MEC Maile.
Dr Anna Mokgokang receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from Gauteng Premier, David Makhura
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The crowning moment The Stoelbag Foundation, which developed the groundbreaking medical circumcision device the "Circumfort", was crowned the 2018 entrepreneur of the year. The three social entrepreneurs’ mission is to create ease, peace of mind and healing for South African men when they get circumcised. "Through our innovative Circumfort device we do much more than just sell a product. We promote healthy living, empower, employ and contribute towards the township economy," explained founding member Nokubonga Dlamini. "We strive to make more than just a profit – we make a difference." The Soweto-based trio, Nokubonga Dlamini, Musa Morgan and Siqiniseko Ntshangase, were also named the winners of the manufacturing category for their medical device designed to optimise wound care after circumcisions. Dr Anna T Mokgokong was honoured with the lifetime achievement award for her contribution towards the township economy and the development of business in the health sector. This year’s finalists, a total of 33 businesses across the sixteen categories, continue to demonstrate beyond doubt that township enterprises offer smart, innovative and relevant solutions to the communities they operate in. “As the Gauteng government, we would like to applaud all finalists and winners for their continuous contribution towards our economy and their passion and zest for pushing boundaries,” said Maile.
Sector winners: Category
Winner
Entrepreneur of the Year
The Stoelbag Foundation
Lifetime Achievement
Dr Anna T Mokgokong
Food & Beverage
Motheo Watlholo Trading
Transport & Automotive
Ditsibi Motor Engineering
Social & Community
Angela Day Care
Creative Industries
Shova Lifestyle Origin
Agriculture Business
You Reap What You Sow
Retail & Finance
I Am Emerge
Construction
Ronewa Projects and Trading
Tourism
Fly SA Wise
Manufacturing
The Stoelbag Foundation
Services
Lemok Group
Start-Up
Borotho Bakery Enterprise
Youth Entrepreneur
I Am Emerge and Borotho Bakery Enterprise
Entrepreneurs with a Disability
Azishenism Culture
Woman Entrepreneur of the Year
Tuming Lee Media
