FROM STONE CARVING TO STELLAR BUSINESSES: DUT-CSERI ENTREPRENEURS MAKE TOP 20 AT PRESTIGIOUS HOLLYWOOD AWARDS!
DUT-Centre for Social Entrepreneurship entrepreneurs have carved a statue from stone and made it to the Top 20 of the prestigious Hollywood Bambelela Business Awards.
Founders of Lunyezi Farms, Samukelisiwe Sithole and Gugu Ngobese of Accra Group, stood amongst over 320 participants in the KwaZulu-Natal Bambelela Business Awards program. The winners took home a prize worth R30 000 that will be injected into their businesses.
Founder and Director of Lunyezi Farms (A live chicken farm based in Molweni), says that getting recognition from the Bambelela Business Awards has opened so many doors for her and the business.
“Getting recognized by the Hollywood Foundation has been really huge for us because it has opened so many doors for us, in terms of marketing and recognition by other potential companies and investors. With the money that I won at the Awards I am going to improve on productivity, purchase more machinery that will be used for incubating, since we have a backlog in our supply of chicks.” She said.
Miss Gugu Ngobese, Founder of Accra Group (A company that specializes in Town Planning, Architecture, and Environmental Technology), says that winning a recognition award from Hollywood Foundation was unexpected because in her sector they usually do not get funding and she’s grateful for the recognition because the funding will help her improve her work equipment.
“I am very grateful for this recognition because there is a lot that I am going to do with the R30 000 that I won, especially improving our office equipment, furniture and software. Although I wanted to win the R100 000, looking at the software that we are using ranges from R40 000 up to R150 000. But I am very grateful for this recognition.” Said Ngobese
A total of R750 000 was shared among 20 deserving businesses along with two spot prizes worth R5000 each.
The Bambelela Business Awards celebrate the vital contributions of small businesses to South Africa’s economic growth and transformation. The program fosters entrepreneurial spirit through various initiatives, including workshops, seminars, exhibitions, a pitch competition for funding, and a culminating gala dinner.
This recognition is a testament to the dedication and innovation of our supported businesses.
We are incredibly proud of Lunyezi Farms and Accra Group, and we look forward to their continued success!
Nomvelo Mkhwanazi
