… Application deadline approaching. Online submissions are also available.
NHLANGANO- Have you still not joined the Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2024 Competition? This is your last week to apply and stand a chance to be recognised for your entrepreneurial excellence in the various EYA categories.
The Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) Corporate Communications Officer Zamantolo Fakudze made the announcement this past Friday during the Shiselweni edition of the EYA roadshows. The roadshow was held at Nhlangano’s Zam Zam Complex.
“Applications will close on 23 June, and we encourage entrepreneurs to apply and urge others to join. After the applications close, the judging process will soon start,” she said.
EYA Competition 2024 lead sponsor First National Bank, SEDCO, and one of the partners Old Mutual were active and interacting with the public and MSMEs on their products and services. Also a part of this roadshow was the Eswatini Standards Authority (SWASA).
The SEDCO activation station, which housed the registration of the EYA 2024, was rarely without any visitors throughout the roadshow. At times, there were lines of up to eight people waiting to fill out the forms.
One of the applicants, Sithembile Dlamini, thanked the EYA organisers for bringing the forms to their region. “I’m so excited to have a chance to register, and I hope I get an opportunity to compete. I am grateful to the organisers for coming here to assist us in registering. It has made the process easier for me,” she said.
The Regional Winners will also receive cash prizes this year, while a single cab van is the main prize in the national competition.
FNB HELPS MSMEs START, RUN, GROW
There was a great buzz about the FNB stand at the roadshow as many people sought to know more about their offerings. Addressing the audience, FNB Commercial Sales Manager Dumisani Sikhosana said FNB was committed to helping entrepreneurs start, run and grow their businesses.
“We have an ideal set of products and solutions to support you when opening a new business. We also help you run the business through our advisory services. We then help you grow with our offerings, such as lend and FNB Business Savings Pocket. FNB is here to help businesses,” he said.
The bank had on-hand personnel to help with enquiries about banking solutions. One of the enquiries was about the requirements for opening a business account, which many of those enquiring were keen on.
OLD MUTUAL PREACHES SAVINGS, SWASA TEACHES STANDARDS
The Nhlangano community was pleased to learn of savings products offered by Old Mutual for individuals and businesses. Yoliswa Simelane, Old Mutual Customer Service Consultant, shared the requirements with the audience and said savings could start from E250.
“It is very important to have savings as a business so that it can support you when you need it. We also do savings for individuals, and we have terms that are convenient to you,” she said
The Old Mutual team was also busy throughout the roadshow as people seemed eager to know more about such products.
Meanwhile, the Eswatini Standards Authority (SWASA) has encouraged MSMEs to apply industry standards to their goods and services to compete with the best.
Inhle Fakudze, Marketing and Sales, outlined various standards, from food safety to environmental management systems.
“We encourage MSMEs to register with us so that we can get in touch with them when there is training on standards that can help improve their businesses,” she said.
HHOHHO MSMEs, YOU ARE NEXT IN BUHLENI
The roadshow heads to Buhleni this coming Friday, where more entrepreneurs will be encouraged to join. The roadshows also allow the applicants to be guided step by step in the application process. To enter the competition, scan the QR code at the bottom of this page, and it will lead you to a form you can fill out and submit to SEDCO. EYA is also supported by the Eswatini National Provident Fund (ENPF), FINCORP and the Eswatini National Petroleum Company (ENPC).