By Sizwe Dlamini
The MTN Foundation on Friday awarded five entrepreneurs with E10 000 each as seed capital through the Cija Ngebhizinisi competition.
The five winners of the 2024 competition were poultry farmer Bongegile Mnisi of Bobos Poultry, seed producer Sabelo Ngwane of Vuli Seed Nursery, the creator of Skys the Limit beauty lotion and gel Samukelsiwe Matsebula, vegetable farmer Sifiso Dlamini and lastly owner of the innovative laundry business Tengetile Matsenjwa.
Since 2018 the MTN Foundation has awarded more than E250 000 in prize money and has provided free entrepreneurship training to more than 85 entrepreneurs through the Cija Ngebhizinisi competition in partnership with the Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO).
The aforementioned partnership between the MTN Foundation and SEDCO has reached out to more than 200,000 people through various platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and call-ins.
The entrepreneurs joined the competition by approaching the various SEDCO branches to request printed application forms.
Present at the award ceremony which took place at the SEDCO headquarters in Mbabane was SEDCO CEO, Khethiwe Mhlanga, the acting CEO of MTN Eswatini on the day, Sibusiso Nhleko, SEDCO leadership and staff as well as 20 entrepreneurs.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Acting CEO, noted the importance of entrepreneurs playing a crucial role in the economy.
“It is truly a pleasure to stand before you today and celebrate this remarkable achievement, and the 6-year partnership with SEDCO. As we gather here, we reflect on a journey of growth, learning, and transformation. We commend SEDCO for the excellent execution of this program and the impact it has made in the entrepreneurship space. This program seeks to empower and stimulate growth in the micro and small enterprises. We started the program on radio and it has more recently expanded to social media platforms to ensure that we have access to all entrepreneurs. MTN Foundation continues to invest in digital platforms to support entrepreneurship”.
“We have the MTN Khanyisa App which gives access to business information via MTN Skills Academy. The new literacy worldwide is digital skills and being comfortable with digital platforms. I invite you to visit the app and get empowered with all the knowledge. Through this program, you’ve acquired valuable knowledge and skills and you have also forged meaningful connections with fellow entrepreneurs and mentors. These connections have provided you with invaluable support, guidance, and encouragement, empowering you to overcome challenges and seize opportunities with confidence. Today, let us acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and perseverance that has brought you to this moment.”