The South African Breweries (SAB) Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme, SAB KickStart, has selected its top 18 national finalists for 2014.<\/p>\n
Each of the finalists will receive a business grant of between R100 000 and R200 000, as well as business development support over a 12-month period.<\/p>
The finalists were selected by an independent panel of adjudicators, following an intensive two-week business training course facilitated by the University’s Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS).<\/p>\n
SAB KickStart, one of the longest running initiatives of its kind, which started in 1995, is focused on developing and supporting sustainable youth-owned businesses, as well as high impact entrepreneurs who are able to make a contribution to South Africa’s job creation needs.<\/p>
One of the finalists is Marcia Mofokeng, from Katlehong.<\/p>\n
She has a company, Alurcia Aluminium and Glass, which manufactures aluminium products.<\/p>\n
“It is important that big businesses in South Africa use their resources, experience and knowledge to help small businesses become sustainable and strong contributors to the country’s economy.<\/p>\n
“This means investing more than just capital, but offering the support and guidance needed to carry these businesses through to success,” said Boipelo Nkadimeng, SAB acting head of enterprise development and community partnerships.<\/p>\n
A needs analysis conducted on the finalist’s businesses helps define a growth strategy for each.<\/p>\n
This strategy, in turn, informs the seed capital awarded for the benefit of each business, as well as the programme and terms of development phase.<\/p>\n