iBoza Biznis Yasekasi

Synopsis

Ten entrepreneurs were pitted against each other in a series of challenges to find one Township Entrepreneur of the Year. This title and the grand prize of R500 000 was at stake from the iBoza Biznis Yasekasi show. Pitted as a township-like “Dragon’s Den”, this fast-paced reality TV business show was most likely to have its credibility questioned because of the short space of time it took to produce it. The six-episode show was produced in a mere 2 weeks – the kind of thing The Barleader does effortlessly.

Hosted by broadcasting entrepreneur, Thabile Ngwato, the show aired on Mzansi Wethu from Monday, August 13th at 17h30 on DSTV channel 163 (Mzansi Wethu) and concluded with the Township Entrepreneurship Awards ceremony on Saturday, August 18th. Its aim was to profile and celebrate entrepreneurs who represented the market of the channel and it featured entrepreneurial talent that emerged from the Township Entrepreneurship Awards (TEA). Gauteng Department of Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile expressed, “We are proud to give our TEA finalists a marketing platform where they can put their best foot forward and profile their business skills”.

In order to be elected as the Township Entrepreneur of the Year, participants were required to

produce a solid and thoroughly convincing pitch about their business before a panel of judges. The show had judges who are all captains of their respective fields and industries, lending their expertise to align with the vision of shining the spotlight on the possibilities which exist within the township through the iBoza Biznis Yasekasi show. The judges included Sun International Development Manager, Simon Gardner, Wits Entrepreneurship Lecturer, Dr. Jabu Msimango-Galawe, as well as Kgomotso Pooe, the 2016 TEA Tourism Category Winner.

*Conceived by the Gauteng Provincial Government in their effort to revitalise the township economy in line with the Gauteng Economic Development Plan, they drew public attention towards township businesses and their successes in order to unlock business opportunities in the townships and inspire investor confidence.

Small businesses that keep the township environment vibrant were pitted to receive honours in several categories for their positive contribution towards job creation and the alleviation of poverty. The Awards were aimed at elevating township based entrepreneurs and SMMEs to reach their full potential and be active players in the mainstream of the economy. The categories for the awards were:

Food and Beverages; Tourism; Manufacturing; Woman Entrepreneur of the Year; Creative Industries; Social and Community; Entrepreneur with a disability and Youth Entrepreneur of the year.

The TV series process was aimed at selecting the entrepreneur of the year and different rules applied. The criteria used to nominate the top ten finalists to participate in the 6 episodes were communicated to the entrepreneurs during the briefing session and the details were provided at the start of each activity daily.

The overarching criteria used to select the entrepreneur of the year included: