Venture capitalist Vusi Thembekwayo has selected South Africa’s #Top40 entrepreneurs who will undergo an 18-month mentorship and skills development programme.
The mentorship and skills development programme is hosted by MyGrowthFund (MGF), a company Thembekwayo launched to find and nurture high-growth entrepreneurs through funding, incubation and enterprise development platforms.
The #Top40 entrepreneurs were selected from almost 3 000 SMEs who applied for the opportunity, which will assist them scale-up and grow their businesses to meet their defined targets.
“The volume and quality of applications is a reflection that entrepreneurship is alive and thriving in South Africa. The final #Top40 list is a mix of small to medium businesses, turning over between R1 million and R39 million annually. The SMEs come from diverse sectors, including landscaping, medical, fashion, engineering, energy finance, education, ICT and construction,” Thembekwayo says.
Over the 18-month period, MGF will guide the implementation of systems in the #Top40 businesses that will ensure success. The mentorship and development programme includes habits such as practical financial and cash flow scheduling; robust market access systems that are scalable and measurable; and people management, including rewards and motivation systems to ensure the entrepreneur maximises their single most important asset – their people.
MGF has devoted a minimum investment of R18 million to the mentorship and skills development of the 2017 #Top40 entrepreneurs.
“The class of 2017 #Top40 is an important pilot for MGF. We will glean much learning and no doubt fight many challenges,which I believe are vital in the continuation of this project, and MGF’s vision to build 300 sustainable businesses by 2030,” he concludes.
Here is a full list of the #Top40 entrepreneurs:
- Stefus Jan van Rensburg – Amoret Trading (Medical), Middleburg, Mpumalanga
- Asanda Madyibi – Asanda Madyibi (Fashion), Richmond Gauteng
- Lee du Preez – BEE Novation (Consulting Services), KwazuluNatal
- Portia Phohu – Biotight (Energy) Sandton, Gauteng
- Siyabeshu Thutha – Blaque Pearl Lifestyle (Fashion), Sunninghill, Gauteng
- Mukundi Lambani – Brainbow (Media and Entertainment), Greenside, Gauteng
- Andile Zizi Kunene – DNA Zizi Group Pty (Transport and Logistics), Dobsonville, Gauteng
- Renolda Mabena – Dreamtrends Events (Hospitality and Events), Gauteng, Pretoria North
- Mashudu Muthaki – Duotone Marketing (Marketing), Sandton, Gauteng
- Ayanda Nkomo – Empower Electrical (Engineering), Benoni, Gauteng
- Monica Ngwenya – Entlearolo Trading (Mining), Middleburg, Mpumalanga
- Uresha Sahadev – Grosvenor Montesorri (Education), Bryanston, Gauteng
- Shinaaz Zoutenberg – Hyperlink (Transport and Logistics), Umkomaas, Kwazulu Natal
- Nhlanhla Mgoza – Inch Solution (ICT), Boksburg, Gauteng
- Innocent Mapfumo – Innovate Group (ICT), Midrand, Gauteng
- Hamida Omar – International Conformity Assessment Solutions (Finance and Business Services), Bryanston, Gauteng
- Marile Coetzee – Kambaku Private School (Education), Thabazimbi,Limpopo
- Khathutshelo Maphari – Khuphulanani Training Institute (Education) Wynberg, Gauteng
- Tshepo Mazibuko – K1 Recycling (Enviromental), Katlehong, Gauteng
- Ali Rodolo – Kakanyo (ICT), Sandton Gauteng
- Manga Duke Belle – LeDuke Life (Events), Kwazulu Natal
- Ntando Kubheka – Locomute (ICT), Centurion, Gauteng
- Zanele Ntsibande. – Lokuhle Trading (Manufacturing), Boksburg, Gauteng
- Irin Smith – Msomi Equipment Solutions (Construction), Durban, Kwazulu Natal
- Reetsang Makgatho – Mohau Projects (Construction), Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Koketso Sefoka – Motsana Projects (Construction), Pretoria,Gauteng
- Thulie Malakoana – Morena’s Projects (Construction), Pinetown, KwazuluNatal
- Mpho Dagada – NDA Logistics (Logistics), Hyde Park, Gauteng
- Arnold Moyo – Mthabane Transport (Transport and Logistics), Middleburg, Mpumalanga
- Hetty Boachie-Yiadom – P&H Boutique (Fashion), Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Luke Thompson – Pro-Networks (ICT), Ruimsig, Gauteng
- AJ Van Der Hoogen – Ranzo Trading (Transport), Middleburg, Mpumalanga
- Thabiso Mogodiri – Reliable Diagnostics (Medical), Midrand, Gauteng
- Nickey Mannya – Rural Brands (ICT), Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Mark Lipshitz – Snap Print (Printing, Signage and Branding), Malvern, Johannesburg
- Crispen Kadyamusuma – Telone 5a (ICT), Gauteng, Pretoria
- Viloshnee Singh – Thembane Chemicals (Manufacturing), Northriding , Gauteng
- Phillip Chauke – Vapopax (Construction) Braamfontein, Gauteng
- Thebe Mochochoko – Thebeyaka Africa Projects (Agriculture), Thabazimbi, Limpopo
- Danile Zoko – Zolu Trading (Energy), Qwaqwa, Free state
