And the SAB central region kick-start award-winners are...

The level of talent among the 2009 crop of contenders for the South African Breweries Limited Central Region KickStart Awards is outstanding – and the competition’s judges have had their work cut out for them this year.

After months of studying, planning, working, pitching and dreaming, the 18 young business people vying for regional honours in SAB’s industry-leading entrepreneurial development programme reached a critical point: the announcement of who would walk away with a share of R320 000 in grants, six months of business mentorship each.

SAB launched the KickStart programme in 1995 as a poverty alleviation programme, but it has subsequently become a platform to stimulate sustainable enterprise development. Aimed at 18- to 35-year-olds from previously disadvantaged backgrounds, more than 22 500 existing and budding entrepreneurs have already benefited from KickStart and more than 3 200 businesses have been launched by KickStart alumni.

The results speak for themselves. Sixty-four percent of grant winners from 2001 to 2007 are still in business, with 89% of those who received grants in 2004 and 2007 still operating. No fewer than 83.3% of SAB KickStarters have reported that their businesses are growing, and the turnover of KickStart businesses has increased by an average of 375%.

An example of a former KickStarter who is taking the world by storm is Ernest Maponyane, a jeweller based in Brits, North West Province. A 2006 Central Region winner, Ernest has recently opened a second jewellery shop at Brits Mall.

Mr Lucky Makwati is also one successful kickstarter who opened an OK Franchise store after winning a Kickstart grant of R100 000. All across South Africa, you find people whose businesses found growth/roots from the Kickstart programme and we are immensely proud of them, says Adv Neo Sephoti, Corporate Affairs Manager for Central Region.

This year’s Central Region KickStart finalists envisage or have started a wide array of businesses, including fashion design; electrical and building; construction; plant hire; art; furniture manufacturing; accommodation; communications; and events management.

And the winners of the Central Region KickStart Awards are:
Project Kick-start winners; profiles; and grants:
Province: Free State
Company: Gaphilemo Clothing Manufacturing Designs cc
Grant received: R60 000
Owner/Manager: Gama Phillemon Tshabangu
Province: Free State (Harrismith)
Cell number: 073 601 0697
Email: [email protected]