The spirit of entrepreneurship lit up in East London last week when the Umhlanga-based Hollywood Foundation brought it’s nationally celebrated Bambelela Business Awards to the Eastern Cape for the first time.
The three-day programme culminated in a dazzling gala awards ceremony on Thursday night, where 20 emerging businesses were honoured.
The 20 winners plus three spot prize-winners shared R1m in business equipment, while MTN empowered them with telecommunications devices, 12 months of data for the top three winners, and point-of-sale (POS) devices for the top 20 businesses helping them modernise and grow in an increasingly digital economy.
What stood was the overwhelming participation of women across all age groups, many of them founders and innovators, leading businesses in industries ranging from fashion and beauty to healthcare, hospitality, and media.
The foundation’s group manager, Babongile Mkhize, said the entrants’ stories showed that women in the region were determined to break barriers, seize opportunities, and lead.
“The Eastern Cape has brought bold ideas, incredible resilience, and undeniable passion to the Bambelela Business Awards.
“Over the past two days, we have witnessed business brilliance, and the power of entrepreneurship to transform communities,” Mkhize said.
This initiative was held in partnership with the Buffalo City metro and supported by stakeholders, including MTN, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), and the Eastern Cape Gambling Board. The awards aimed to also empower grassroots entrepreneurs with tangible tools to grow sustainably.
Taking home the first prize of R130,000 was Buswana Creations, second prize of R100,000 went to SL Tita Holdings, and Siphethubomi Healthcare Services took third place and R70,000.
The 17 runner-up businesses each received R40,000 in support. These included Noma’s Florist, Ubuntu Natural Made Body Products, Amish Beauty and Glamour, and Real Wealth is Health.
It was beautiful to watch these businesses sharing a common thread of commitment to uplifting local communities through innovation, employment and service.
“Your belief in these entrepreneurs is what made this event possible,’’ BCM mayor Princess Faku said. Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane, in his keynote address, praised the foundation for placing tools in the hands of entrepreneurs rather than disbursing cash grants. He said this model ensured businesses grew sustainably and were empowered to create jobs which were aligned with the vision of a modern, industrialised Eastern Cape, rooted in inclusive and community-driven economic growth.
“Let us foster a culture of co-operative growth, where businesses collaborate, exchange skills, and trade with one another.”
The Bambelela Business Awards, taking place for the third year, have empowered more than 268 small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) with more than R10.7m in funding and equipment.
The other runners-up: Kofini & Co., Ndimbi Clothing, Uphiwe and Owethu Enterprise, House 87, Imonti Cinematic Unit, The Hill Boutique Hotel, Perennial Growth, Lindrish’s Trading Enterprise, Mohasoa Brothers Trading, SBK Training Academy, Twinbird poultry farm, NJM Solutions Hub, and Mashexa Enterprises.
Spot prize winners were Facebook marketing competition: Makausi Enterprise (R10,000), early bird pitchers award: Lubra Pictures (R5,000) and best exhibition stand: Mashexa Enterprise (R5,000).
