Page 8 - KZN BUSINESS SENSE Vol3 No3

A CHECK-IN ANNOUNCEMENT…

Entries for The Entrepreneur 2017 competition are open!

he iLembe Chamber’s 7th Over the past six years,
annual The Entrepreneur 163 finalists participated in
Tprogramme and competition the programme, with these
was launched on Thursday, the participants reporting 54%
18th of May 2017. The aviation growth in revenue following their
themed launch, complementing participation in the programme.
the branding of the competition, In addition to enhancing the
was also used as an opportunity viability of finalist’s businesses,
to welcome Semcorp Siza Water as these businesses have created 153
a new partner in the programme. new jobs in the local economy at
Sembcorp joined long standing an investment of just over R8000
partners Airports Company SA per job created – a conversion
King Shaka International Airport, rate that impressed the guest
Enterprise iLembe and the North speaker at the media launch
Coast Courier. Quinton Dicks, CEO of the SA
SME Fund.
The competition has allowed
the iLembe Chamber, with The media launch programme
the support of its academic also featured Patricia Malemia,
and professional partners, to media personality and host
establish itself at the forefront of VUMA 103 FM’s business
of entrepreneurial development programme; Khanyisile Shandu,
in KZN as well as establishing chairman of the board of
the iLembe District as a hotbed Enterprise iLembe; Colin Naidoo,
of entrepreneurial activity. The senior manager corporate affairs
programme is widely endorsed ACSA KSIA; Shyam Misra, CEO
and enjoys national recognition. of Sembcorp Siza Water; and Xolani Gumede, Cobus Oelofse, Pieter Naude, Patricia Malemia, Shyam Misra, Khanyisani Shandu, Quinton Dicks, Colin Naidoo

Pieter Naude, general manager of Competition entries are invited comprehensive business plan
the North Coast Courier. for a period of seven weeks with that will allow them to grow and
The 2017 iLembe Chamber’s entries closing on the 23rd of June develop their businesses.
programme will run over a 2017. The first tuition session will Interested business owners
take place on the 15th of July 2017.
period of 12 weeks during which need to complete an application
competition finalists will be exposed iLembe based entrepreneurs and form that can be downloaded
to intensive business modelling, small business owners are invited from the Chamber’s website
both through tuition and practical to enter the competition. (www.ilembechamber.co.za).
application, as part of a programme Apart from the business Entry forms are also available
co-designed by the University of at the iLembe Chamber offices.
KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and USA- development funding and The Chamber and its programme
marketing collateral received by
based Massachusetts Institute of entrepreneurs, the competition partner’s social media pages will
Technology (MIT). Competition provides an opportunity for the post regular updates. 
finalists will also be supported
through mentorship by Chamber finalists to gain critical business For more information, you can
skills, receive mentorship
accredited mentors – “grey-heads” contact Sakhile Khumalo at sakhile@
Ntombifuthi Mavundla, Patricia Malemia, Jane Wiltshire, Vino Govender, Sarah Tarr with invaluable business experience. and training, and prepare a ilembechamber.co.za or T: 087 354 6343

ILEMBE CHAMBER ANNUAL BUSINESS GALA DINNER

A distinctly would avail himself to engage with Chamber would like to embed, with the Fairmont Zimbali’s that were featured on the iLembe
executive chef, Dean Uren, to
our business community at a later
infused The Local Menu included:
e.g. the inauguration of the new
local affair date in 2017. chamber president and elected present an original, locally sourced Yoli's Bakery, Sage Deli, Delagoa
executive committee members. menu at the gala dinner. The Local Chilli Butter, Cindy's, Say Cheese,
s a continuation of the Jerry Kunene, the iLembe The newly elected president of the Menu featured exclusively locally Tastebuds, The Great Railroad
iLembe Chamber’s efforts Chamber’s now almost resident chamber is Xolani Gumede from sourced produce or products from Brewing Company, Science of
Ato showcase the significant saxophonist, provided the musical Cappeny Estates while the vice local suppliers. Coffee, The Entrepreneur 2015
hospitality products in the iLembe entertainment. president is Phil de Sylva from IFA. finalist Naked Bones, and 2014
district, the Fairmont Zimbali The event continued to embrace Some of the smaller local and winner Just Meats, as well as
Lodge & Resort Hotel again hosted some of the traditions that the The iLembe Chamber worked artisanal Chamber members Cappeny Estates. 
the Chamber’s annual business gala
dinner on the 11th of May 2017. The
event is the premier dinner in the
district’s business calendar.
Nedbank partnered with the
business community to present
this event.
Mr Terry Rosenberg, well-
known KZN businessman and
personality, made himself available
at very short notice to deliver the
main address at the function.
Dr Mathews Phosa, who would
have been the guest speaker at the
iLembe Chamber's Gala Dinner,
had to cancel his commitment due
to a personal emergency. Dr Phosa's
office did however indicate that he Cobus Oelofse, Dr Albertina Luthuli, Mr Terry Rosenberg (Guest Speaker) and Ntombifuthi Mavundla (iLembe Chamber), Yoliswa Gumede (Cappeny Estates),
Xolani Gumede (Chamber President) Xolani Gumede (President iLembe Chamber)

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