Winners in the Alexandra/Soweto Small Business Awards 2009 have been announced, revealing a diverse range of innovative, thriving small businesses that have identified good opportunities within and outside the Alexandra and Soweto areas.
Sponsored by Standard Bank, and in collaboration with The Business Place, the annual awards serve to recognise and publicise the many achievements of entrepreneurs, many of whom have established their mainly survivalist businesses with little start-up capital.
Agrineth Shiburi, owner of Loxion Bread and More CC was awarded the Alexandra Small Business Award. This Alexandra based baker and supplier of bread and confectionaries is about to expand her operation to Midrand. With a team of 12 dedicated staff, Agrineth’s focus is on good control measures and ongoing staff training. Agrineth says that “a business plan should be your top priority. Know what you want to do and then draw up a plan with time-frames for every action. This is not just to help you get funding from a bank, but it also guides your every step.” She plans to use her winnings to fund a deposit for land for another bakery and to upgrade the existing Alexandra outlet.
Ally Maseko took top honours for the Soweto Small Business Award. Employing a team of six permanent staff, his business recycles plastic waste from the community into packaging and corporate gifts. Alley plans to use his winnings to fund a marketing team as well as essential office equipment. This, he believes will help him achieve his long-term goal of growing his business and also extending his premises to offer boardroom and venue hire for corporates keen on experiencing a township setting. “Do what interests you and what you enjoy, and don’t just go after the money,” says Ally.
Other top entrepreneurs who excelled in the annual awards ceremony included:
- Soweto Woman Small Business Award – Maria Mini
Maria runs a curtain manufacturing business in Kliptown.
- Alexandra Woman Small Business Award – Tiny Innocentia Tomic
Tiny is the owner of Bview Guesthouse CC – which provides accommodation and conferencing facilities.
- The Soweto Micro Business Award - Mashudu Netshivhombelo
Mashudu owns Mufamadi Fashions, which specialises in traditional Venda clothing, with clients as far afield as Limpopo.
- The Alexandra Micro Business Award - Skhumbuzo Dlamini
Skhumbuzo owns Skhumbird CC.
The Business Place has helped many of these winners, providing essential internet access, consultations, networking opportunities and training. In growing her business, Alexandra overall winner, Agrineth lauds the input from The Business Place, where a marketing course proved helpful. Ally Maseko says he also benefited immensely from the same marketing course, and once he is able to expand his marketing team he plans to send new recruits on the same course.
Through the Alexandra/Soweto Small Business Awards, Standard Bank is able to demonstrate its commitment and support for entrepreneurs and by doing so adds value to the SME sector.
Hannah Sadiki, Gauteng Provincial Director for Standard Bank says, “We are committed to making a tangible difference to the communities in which we operate, and the Alexandra/Soweto Small Business Awards is another example of where we do this.”
Runners Up in the Alexandra/Soweto Business Awards include:
· Keabetswe Modise (Gemini Networking Communication CC): Graphic design
· Mpane Tlhoaele (Alexandra Automotive Pain (Pty) Ltd): Autobody repairs)
· Elizabeth Khwerana (Megaphase Trading CC): Catering
· Rachel Phasa (Khavho Business Managment/ Tourism Service): Tour guide
· George Rangwanasha (Reasoma Art Shop): Arts and crafts
· Maria Kgatle (Olievenhout Driving School CC): Driving school