The 2018 regional winners. Each won a mentorship voucher valued at R6 000:
Ayanda Jiyane – Hair Reconstructioners (KwaZulu-Natal): Jiyane has been operating out of her home or by travelling to her clients’ homes. However, once Hair Reconstructioners has been more formally established, it will offer a variety of hair services, including braids, twists, freehand, hair relaxing, hair treatments, hair washing, and weaves. Additionally, within three years, Jiyane aims to add a spa to the business model, as well as start a mobile salon.
Frans Mpholo – Orange Berry ICT solutions (Free State): Orange Berry ICT solutions is an internet café business which, once established in Kroonstad, will provide fast, reliable and cost-effective internet access and services in the community; sell reasonably priced, high-quality computer peripherals; increase the number of computer users in the area; provide locally and internationally recognised skills and training services and attain and maintain a strong business presence in the province.
Lucky Shabalala – Entertainment Neighborhood (Johannesburg): Entertainment Neighborhood provides the use of video gaming facilities at R10 per hour to individuals from low-income households in the townships of Vereeniging. Shabalala started the company by using his personal gaming console, which he set up outside a local hair salon. Today, Entertainment Neighborhood consists of eight PlayStation 4 consoles, eight UHD TVs, and 32 video games.
Moloko Goodwill and Michael Manaswe – PUREPONICS AQUAPONICS (North West): Aquaponics is a sustainable agricultural practice combining hydroponics (the growing of plants in water) with aquaculture (the farming of aquatic organisms). Through this practice, Goodwill and Manaswe aim for Pureponics Aquaponics to produce and supply affordable, organic fish and vegetables to restaurants, supermarkets, grocers, schools, and other health and eco-conscious institutions and consumers.
Nyaniseka Mxinwa and Noluthando Yolanda Funani – Buyel’mbo Innovative Services (East London): Founded in 2016 the company’s services include the supply of processed timber to commercial clients, local retailers and event coordinators, as well as the supply of untreated poles to various clients in the bigger Eastern Cape region.
Puseletso Patience Phoku – Panache Entertainment Agency (Mpumalanga): Established in 2015 and based in Mbombela, Panache Entertainment Agency’s primary services include the recruitment and job placements of models, as well as establishing partnerships with marketing companies and sales representatives of local and international brands requiring brand activation services and promotions.
Shaidat Aroyewun – 1in Town (Port Elizabeth): At present, Aroyewun designs and manufactures small clothing orders for family and friends. However, once the business is established, 1in Town will stock and supply a variety of fabrics and material designs to designers and tailors in Port Elizabeth and its surrounds. The company will also design and make clothing for children aged 10 and under as well as unique and custom-made burkas for Muslim women, and a variety of caps.
Siphelo Sikolisi, Thembile Ndlondlo, Khululwe Tintelo and Mphindeleli Qalazive – AutoPrecision Engineering (Western Cape): AutoPrecision Engineering will largely be owneroperated and managed, with each of the owners being responsible for various business operations including marketing and sales, occupational health and safety, project management and machinery maintenance, as well as administrative functions. Once established, AutoPrecision Engineering’s services will include cylinder head reconditioning, cylinder reboring, crankshaft grinding and cylinder head skimming, among others.
Takalani Magoro and Maemu Tshivhase – Sky Base Projects (Pretoria): The concept for Sky Base Projects is to offer three main services: low-cost home staging (rearranging the property’s existing furniture), decluttering (removing unnecessary items from the property) and cleaning, which includes home and garden maintenance. Although based in Pretoria East, Sky Base Projects will cater to customers throughout Gauteng.
Thatho Maleka – Smart TKT (TKT BrowLash Boutique) (Northern Cape): Founded in 2018, the TKT BrowLash Boutique is situated in Magojaneng Village in Kuruman and is positioned to provide modern women of all ages with reasonably priced, convenient eyebrow and eyelash services, including micro-blading. In addition to these services, Maleka’s boutique also sells retail beauty care products.