The City of Cape Town's Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien, handed over first prize to Jade Wyngaardt from Afriversity for her innovative initiative which takes learners from disadvantaged communities and leaners with functional disabilities and teaches them how to code, design websites and run marketing campaigns for small businesses in their communities.
Winner: Afriversity - Jade Wyngaardt
1st runner up: IKasi Tutor - Nkululo Gugu
2nd runners up (tie): AutoPrecision Engineering (Pty) Ltd - Mphindeleli Qalazive; and The Herold's - Caleb Herold
"As the City of Cape Town, we know that an investment in the youth is an investment in the future - this is why this project was started. Being an entrepreneur is a meaningful way to take charge of your own future, creating a better life for yourself and those around you. Many of our young people have brilliant ideas, but do not know how to bring their vision to life or how to take it to the next level and this initiative gives much-needed guidance and support," said the City's Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato.
The #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge aims to provide young Cape Town entrepreneurs, aged between 18 and 35, with an opportunity to start up or grow their business. The programme supports entrepreneurs in commercialising, expanding as well as monetising their businesses through their practical training and mentorship programme.
In order to be eligible, candidates were required to have a start-up idea that is already, or has the potential, to create sustainable jobs.
Competitors were offered support to help them commercialise their solutions through a dynamic training and mentorship programme, which is focused on developing both the entrepreneur and their business idea.
"The YouthStartCT challenge is an accelerator programme for start-up entrepreneurs, with the main aim to encourage entrepreneurship and contribute to skills development and innovation in Cape Town. Throughout the challenge, these young entrepreneurs were provided with training and development opportunities. The winners will now have a chance to partner with the City on projects that will uplift job seekers and provide sustainable employment opportunities," said Councillor Badroodien.
