ENTREPRENEURS REWARDED

The Department with its partners in SMME development, congratulated the Youth entrepreneurs at the 2009 Mpumalanga Youth Entrepreneurs award ceremony on the 1st October 2009. The event was held in Nelspruit at the Government complex sports fields, where entrepreneurs were rewarded for their outstanding performance in their particular fields of entrepreneurship.
“We want to increase our attention to the youth of Mpumalanga and put pressure in providing them with business support, not only with funding,” said HOD Mandla Mazibuko.

The Mpumalanga Youth Entrepreneur’s Programme was developed by the Department to address challenges faced by the youth of the province, focusing highly on unemployment and economic empowerment. It also aimed to assist the youth to create business opportunities for themselves. “We are aware that most young people do not know where and how to access funding, or how to make a convincing case for funding or investment - because the reality is that from a funding perspective, small businesses are risky. It is through such initiatives that we are able to identify, inspire, encourage, assist and where necessary fund the young entrepreneurs who show real entrepreneurial potential,” added the HOD.

The success of the programme was also made possible through the partnership with SEDA Mpumalanga, Khula Enterprise Finance, National Youth Development Agency, ABSA Nelspruit Branch , MEGA and local municipalities.
An award was handed to Siphandane Trading Enterprise. A company in the manufacturing sector from Enhlanzeni District Municipality in Nkomazi, and received R150 000.

A second one amounting to R100 000 was given to JICDP & MWW JOINT VENTURE. A company from the Nkangala district municipality in Delmas .

A third one worth R80 000 was given to Nondumiso Enterprise. A company from the Gert Sibande District in Albert Luthuli Municipality.

This was just one of many initiatives by the department to assist in ensuring that we shape the economic path in the Province.