Lizzy Twala from Sizahulumeni Trading was the very popular winner of the 2015 KwaZulu-Natal Business Chambers Council’s (KBCC) The Entrepreneur Competition. Lizzy represented the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce.

The runner-up was Sharon Ma’ani from KishMish, a finalist from the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business.

Bronze position was scooped up by Blessing Sithole from Bakers Creationz. Blessing was a winner in the Durban Chamber’s program.

Sizahulumeni Trading, a CMT factory, was started by Lizzy in 2010 with 18 staff members. They manufacture kitchen suits and ladies 3 pieces both for other as well as their own in-house brand. Sizahulumeni has grown at great pace and now employs over 70 employees.

Pietermaritzburg based KishMish is an exciting foodie concept with a fantastic range of delicious products. Delicious preserves and pickles, rich spices, exotic teas, refreshing cordials and infused oils are just a few products inspired by kitchen treasured recipes from Birdjand to Delhi and from Redruth to Pietermaritzburg. KishMish’s inspiration comes from the Ma’ani family, bringing together Amal’s Middle Eastern rich food heritage and Sharon’s love of new English fusion cuisine.      

Bakers Creationz specializes in the manufacturing of higher end quality cakes, targeting the lower to middle income market at low prices. It already supplies large retail stores and also works with a number of independent distributors who supply to smaller retail stores and spaza shops. Bakers Creationz’s facilities are rural based and fully complies with food manufacturing regulations.

In its second year running, the KBCC The Entrepreneur competition was launched in support of the Small Business Development component of the KZN Economic Council’s Social Accord Implementation Framework.

The competition, and accompanying training programme, is jointly supported by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), its KZN Small Business Growth Enterprise division, and the private sector on an equal cost sharing basis. It was rolled out throughout KZN through 7 Regional Chambers of Commerce, i.e.

• the Pietermaritzburg Chamber of Business,
• Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
• the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
• the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce,
• Minara Chamber of Commerce,
• the KZN Youth Chamber of Commerce and
• the iLembe Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.

Mr Chris Mtshali, represented EDTEA and the KZN SBGE at the celebrations hosted by the Durban Chamber of Commerce.

The Entrepreneur program was initiated by the iLembe Chamber 5 years ago with the aim of identifying and providing entrepreneurs and owners of micro-businesses with a grounding to develop their businesses to a sustainable level. The focal point of the program is in knowledge and skills transfer and ongoing mentoring and guidance. The iLembe program has been refined since its launch in 2011 and is now a widely endorsed program with national recognition.

Program participants are exposed to intensive business modeling, both through tuition and practical application, co-designed by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and USA-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Program participants are also supported through mentorship by Chamber accredited mentors â€" “grey-heads” with invaluable business experience. Contestants were equipped with a business plan to serve as a guide to managing and developing sustainable businesses. All participants received a Certificate of Attendance of this UKZN/MIT endorsed program. Participants will also receive a monetary contribution towards their business’ marketing and CI and were offered the opportunity to showcase their businesses at individual Chamber exhibitions.

 DOWNLOAD a list of all the provincial finalists that competed in the KZN finals