These entrepreneurs now talk of exporting overseas, taking on the big guns in their industries and becoming major players in the South African economy.
The entrepreneur contest is part of the annual Kickstart project started by SAB in 1995 to inculcate a culture of entrepreneurship among people between the ages of 18 and 35. The idea is to promote business awareness through training, the provision of grants as start-up capital, as well as mentorship and assistance during the setting-up phase of the businesses.
Selected from scores of KZN applicants, the regional finalists are:
The three winners are in line for honours, and prizes, in the national Kickstart awards which will be announced in Johannesburg in October 2009.