They were selected from 60 hopeful entrepreneurs after an intense two-week bootcamp in Gauteng last year.
The entrepreneurs had been working hard at developing their businesses and showed major commitment, SAB development specialist Octavius Phukubuye said.
“We looked at the potential of the business, the personality of the individual, the willingness to work hard; we were not looking for people who were looking for easy wheels and quick bucks, who will be lazy at home,” said Phukubuye.
Pilusa received a grant of R170 000 which he intended to use to buy a smallholding and employ as many people as he can.
“The aim is to help people from the local areas, to take them away from drugs,” he said.
A grant of R190 000 was allocated to Makhafola. He intended using the money to drill a borehole, erect a fence and build two packaging rooms.
The SAB KickStart programme started in 1995 to develop and promote small businesses. In 2014, the KickStart finalists created a total of 98 part- and full-time jobs.
The top five entrepreneurs will be announced during Global Entrepreneurship Week 2015, where they stand to win additional grant funding of between R100 000 and R500 000.
Farmer’s Weekly will be following the progress of the two farmers in the competition. Watch this space.
