The iLembe Chamber’s 7th annual The Entrepreneur programme and competition was launched on Thursday, the 18th of May 2017. The aviation themed launch, complementing the branding of the competition, was also used as an opportunity to welcome SemcorpSiza Water as a new partner in the programme. Sembcorp joined long standing partners Airports Company SA King Shaka International Airport, Enterprise iLembe and the North Coast Courier.

The competition has allowed the iLembe Chamber, with the support of its academic and professional partners, to establish itself at the forefront of entrepreneurial development in KZN as well as establishing the   iLembe District as a hotbed of entrepreneurial activity. The programme is widely endorsed and enjoys national recognition.

Over the past six years, 163 finalists participated in the programme, with these participants reporting 54% growth in revenue following their participation in the programme. In addition to enhancing the viability of finalist’s businesses, these businesses have created 153 new jobs in the local economy at an investment of just over R8000 per job created  â€" a conversion rate that impressed the guest speaker at the media launch Quinton Dicks, CEO of the SA SME Fund.

The media launch programme also featured Patricia Malemia, media personality and host of VUMA 103 FM’s business programme; KhanyisileShandu, chairman of the board of Enterprise iLembe; Colin Naidoo, senior manager corporate affairs ACSA KSIA; ShyamMisra, CEO of SembcorpSiza Water; and Pieter Naude, general manager of the North Coast Courier.  

The 2017 iLembe Chamber’s programme will run over a period of 12 weeks during which competition finalists will be exposed to intensive business modelling, both through tuition and practical application, as part of a programme co-designed by the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and USA-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Competition finalists will also be supported through mentorship by Chamber accredited mentors â€" “grey-heads” with invaluable business experience.

Competition entries are invited for a period of seven weeks with entries closing on the 23rd of June 2017. The first tuition session will take place on the 15th of July 2017.

iLembe based entrepreneurs and small business owners are invited to enter the competition.

Apart from the business development funding and marketing collateral received by entrepreneurs, the competition provides an opportunity for the finalists to gain critical business skills, receive mentorship and training, and prepare a comprehensive business plan that will allow them to grow and develop their businesses.

Interested business owners need to complete an application form that can be downloaded from the Chamber’s website (www.ilembechamber.co.za). Entry forms are also available at the iLembe Chamber offices. The Chamber and its programme partner’s social media pages will post regular updates.

For more information, you can contact SakhileKhumalo at sakhile@ilembechamber.co.za or
T: 087 354 6343.

XolaniGumede, CobusOelofse, Pieter Naude, Patricia Malemia, ShyamMisra, KhanyisaniShandu, Quinton Dicks, Colin Naidoo

NtombifuthiMavundla, Patricia Malemia, Jane Wiltshire , Vino Govender, Sarah Tarr