Page 10 - KZN Business Sense - 4.2

KZN SMALL BUSINESS ACHIEVERS SALUTED

he entrepreneurial spirit and Awards ceremony, KZN MEC position for the most profitable
tenacity of small business for Economic Development, store nationally.
Tleaders in KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Environmental
was recently celebrated at the 2018 Affairs, Sihle Zikalala, encouraged Micro Business of the Year:
Business Achievers Awards gala the entrepreneurs to develop Zaba Ngubane of Logoman
ceremony in Durban. themselves and to graduate from Designs – for passionate
being suppliers dependent on involvement in his business which
Hosted by the Ithala government tenders to becoming
Development Finance global players. He particularly specialises in graphic design and
Corporation, the awards recognise printing. He has a shop in Mega
business achievements and encouraged entrepreneurs to look City shopping centre in Umlazi
beyond the South African borders
excellence, their contribution to for business opportunities. This and currently employs nine youths
job creation and the growth of the was specially relevant in light in his store.
province’s economy.
of the African Continental Free Agriculture Business of the Year:
Eight out of 16 nominees, all Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement Bhekuyise Magwaza of
Ithala clients from the agriculture, which President Cyril Ramaphosa Ngqobeni Farm – for his hands-
franchise, media, tourism and recently signed. on involvement in his business
logistics services sectors and for over 16 years. Magwaza has
hailing from places as far as Judging Process committed himself to mentoring
Pongola, Newcastle and Kokstad, The judging process was stringent emerging sugarcane farmers in his
were selected as winners, earning with external independent area with the aim of seeing more
prize money for their businesses adjudicators from the Durban black farmers succeed.
and a charity of their choice. Chamber of Commerce and
the eThekwini Municipality Tourism and Hospitality
Winners in each category are Business Support Unit ensuring Business of the Year
selected based on their business impartiality. Shortlisted clients
sustainability, growth, job were provided with the interview Mlungisi Nzuza from Nongoma.
creation, community development, questions a week before the He owns three lodges - Nongoma Pic 2: Special award winner, Sabelo Buthelezi, owner of Limco Logistics
entrepreneurial flair and interview so that they could be well Inn, Nongoma Lodge and
innovation. prepared for the final judging. Mbazwana Inn. He currently I encourage everyone, especially
employs 47 permanent employs.
“In selecting the finalists for Five category award winners each He is extremely passionate about
the awards, we nominated key received R30 000 plus R5000 for the hospitality industry and would young aspiring entrepreneurs, to visit
clients who epitomise a spirit charity. like to own his very own hotel to
of entrepreneurship, have a rival the Southern Suns’ of this
good track record of financial Logistical Services Business of world. Ithala to discuss possible opportunities -
performance, have made an the Year
impact in their community and Thamsanqa Ngcobo of Umlalazi Most Promising Young they have changed my life tremendously,
demonstrated innovation and Trading – a business started by Entrepreneur of the Year
personal integrity,” said Ithala This year’s special award for - Sabelo Buthelezi
acting Group Chief Executive, taxi owners who got together to the Most Promising Young
form a bus transport co-operative.
Thembe Mathe. They started out with a fleet of Entrepreneur of the Year went to
“Over the past three years, eight buses which has expanded to Sabelo Buthelezi owner of Limco testimony to the critical role This entrepreneurial spirit and an
Ithala has loaned R878,6 million 12 buses. Logistics. The successful logistics Ithala plays in youth business eye for business saw him filling the
to nearly 700 businesses, resulting company which transports sugar development. needs of his community, opening a
in over 8 000 jobs being created. Franchise Business of the Year cane and timber is located in a crèche and later a stationery shop.
Of these, 28% are women-owned Muziwethu Shinga of Majestic small village called Ntunjambili. Entrepreneur of the Year He then branched into the tourism
businesses and young people King Fast Foods – his good He started his business in 2012 The overall winner who took industry with a B&B with Kwalala
comprise nearly 40% of those on business sense has seen him with two trucks and within six away the Entrepreneur of the Year Lodge, Magugu Lodge and
Ithala’s loan book, which further expand to three franchises months he expanded his fleet to title and R100 000 plus R10 000 for Crocodile Creek Lodge, all which
re-affirms our commitment (Debonaires outlets located in five trucks. He has since increased charity was Phumulani Ngwenya are based in Pongola.
towards SMMEs and cooperative Umlazi at Mega City Mall, Philani his number of employees from five owner of Siyanda Stationery
development, especially amongst Valley and KwaMnyandu Mall) to 13 and his business is growing. trading as Kwalala Lodge. He is also involved in property
the youth and women of this with a total staff of 72 and good Buthelezi was the only young development where he owns six
province,” he said. operating systems in place. His entrepreneur to be nominated Born and bred in Pongola commercial properties which he is
The keynote speaker at the Mega City Debonaires store has for these awards and the judges Ngwenya grew up selling boiled currently leasing out. 
just recently been awarded the 2nd believed that this would bear eggs and sweet potato at school.

Pic 3: The top five category winners in the Business Achiever Awards 2018 Pic 1: Phumlani Ngwenya from Pongola in KwaZulu-Natal took first position
Left to right: Muziwethu Shinga, Thamsanqa Ngcobo, Bhekuyise Magwaza, Zaba Ngubane, Mlungusi Nzuza in this year’s Business Achiever Awards

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