Apply for the 2025 Lions Den Business Plan Competition

 

By Fred Felton | Mar. 19, 2025

If you have a small, medium, micro-enterprise (SMMEs) or cooperative and your business is within eThekwini then eThekwini Municipality would like to invite you to enter the 2025 Lions Den Business Plan Competition.

Past beneficiaries of eThekwini Municipality's Lions Den Business Plan Competition have heaped praise on the initiative, highlighting significant growth and new opportunities unlocked following their recognition and prizes received. The competition is currently open for this year's instalment. SMMEs and cooperatives are urged to apply. Picture: SUPPLIED. 

The closing date for entries is 18 April.

The aim of this competition is to build an entrepreneurial culture and create jobs.

There is also the opportunity for businesses to acquire essential development resources and have the chance to win prizes to build their business.

There will be three categories for the competition namely Emerging Business, Established Business, and Entrepreneurial Excellence.

Competition categories are:

Emerging Business: SMMEs with viable business ideas and an annual turnover of less than R100 000.

Established Business: SMMEs that are looking to expand, with annual turnovers between R100 000 and R500 000.

Entrepreneurial Excellence: Businesses with an annual turnover of more than R500 000 that have shown exceptional business practices and leadership.

Those that enter will have the chance to pitch their business ideas or expansion plans to a panel of adjudicators.

Prizes on offer for the winners include business development prizes, funding, equipment, and raw materials to help build their business.

You can get your application forms from the Business Support, Tourism, Markets, and Agri-Business Unit located at the Embassy Building, 7^th floor, 199 Anton Lembede Street.

Forms are also available at any Sizakala Centre or the SEDA eThekwini Office.

You can also get applications from www.durban.gov.za or from this link: https://www.durban.gov.za/storage/Documents/Application%20Forms/Business%20Licensing/2025%20EThekwini%20Municipality%20Lions%20Den%20Business%20Plan%20Competition%20Application%20Form.pdf

Submit your applications to Yanga Nyakeni at yanga.nyakeni@durban.gov.za

The Lions Den Programme has had a big impact on local SMMEs over the years.

An example of a success story is Samkelisiwe Sithole, founder of Luhnyenzi Farm, who won the Emerging Business Category last year.

She received R20 000 worth of packaging materials, including a wrapping machine, which she said helped her operations.

‘’The material lasted three months and helped us appear more professional. Winning this award opened many doors, including recognition from various stakeholders with some approaching us for collaborations. This also boosted faith in our brand as we also offer training,’’ said Sithole.

For more information contact Yanga Nyakeni on 031 309 8280.

Register for the North Regional Durban Business Fair

 

By Fred Felton | Mar. 11, 2025

You still have time to register for the Regional Durban Business Fair. Registrations close on 14 March. The Fair takes place from 28 to 30 March at the Bridge City Shopping Centre in KwaMashu.

This exhibition offers a platform for businesses in the north and surrounding areas to showcase their products and services.

Businesses can obtain application forms and submit registrations by visiting:

Business Support Offices, Embassy Building, 7^th Floor, 199 Anton Lembede Street, Durban (forms are also available at the security desk)

You can also get forms at any Sizakala Centre.

Forms are also available at The Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 101 Isaiah Ntshangase Road, Stamford Hill, Durban.

You can also email Zamani.Shezi@durban.gov.za to get an application form.

Businesses can also register online at http://bit.ly/NReg or download the registration form from eThekwini Municipality’s website: www.durban.gov.za under the Government tab, followed by clicking on Documents and then Public Notices.

The theme for this year’s fair is ‘Regional Fairs – Back to Promoting Township Businesses and Economies’.

Chairperson of the City’s Economic Development and Planning Committee Councillor Thembo Ntuli said hosting the fair in KwaMashu, an area still recovering from previous unrest, provides a key opportunity to highlight local businesses and support economic recovery.

‘’This fair provides a vital platform for entrepreneurs to gain exposure, form partnerships, boost sales, and attract potential clients,’’ noted Councillor Ntuli.

Business development prizes will be on offer at the fair. At the end of the event, three businesses with standout stands will receive prizes to help support their growth.

For more information, call 031 311 4500 or email zamani.shezi@durban.gov.za

Furniture Making Programme Praised For Creating Jobs

 

Nonduduzo Ngcongo

Dr. Mimmy Gondwe, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training led a delegation to the Umkhumbane Entrepreneurship Support Centre in Cato Manor to assess the Furniture Manufacturing and Upholstery Skills Development Training Programme. She was accompanied by Ward 29 Councillor Bhekisisa Mngadi and the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing Sector Education and Training Authority (FP&MSETA) CEO Dr. Felleng Yende on the visit on 29 November.

Dr Mimmy Gondwe, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training with Ward 29 Councillor Bhekisisa Mngadi were impressed with the high standard of work produced by participants of the Furniture Making Skills Development Programme at the Umkhumbane Entrepreneurship Support Centre.                        Picture: Saneli Mthalane

The oversight visit aimed to evaluate the impact of the ongoing programme, which has been providing essential skills in furniture production. After a walkabout through the centre, Deputy Minister Gondwe was left highly impressed with the high-quality, beautiful furniture pieces created by the 60 trainees currently enrolled in the programme.

“What I saw today is phenomenal and inspiring. From the stories told by beneficiaries, I can confidently state that skills development is the key to stimulate job creation and end hunger in communities,” she remarked.

The Deputy Minister also emphasised the importance of partnerships, calling on the private sector to support the initiative. "I have a passion to see women empowered, especially young women. What excites me most about this programme is that most of the beneficiaries are women, they are leading in what used to be a male-dominated sector," she added.

The programme, now in its sixth year, has trained over 150 beneficiaries, many of whom are youth and women. Of these, about 70 percent have gone on to start their own businesses and employed at least three people. One notable success story is Matho Mathenjwa, who founded Feel in Heaven Design. After receiving funding through the provincial government Operation Vula Programme once she completed her tarining, Mathenjwa grew her business and now employs over 10 people. She expressed her gratitude for the assistance which helped her to grow her business.

“I received R200 000 which was a breakthrough and helped me kickstart my business and grow it to where it is today,” she said.

Councillor Mngadi praised the programme, noting that it aligns with the City's goal to empower communities through entrepreneurship.

This year, the programme is training 60 new participants, with 30 completing a three-month course and 30 enrolled in a one-year learnership. The initiative, a collaboration between eThekwini Municipality’s Business Support Unit, FP&MSETA, and My Space Academy, is helping foster job creation and self-employment opportunities.

EThekwini Presents South Regional Durban Business Fair

 

EThekwini Municipality encourages communities to support local businesses at the South Regional Durban Business Fair (DBF) from October 24 to 27 at KwaMnyandu Shopping Centre in uMlazi.

Themed “Regional Fairs - Back to Promoting Township Businesses and Economies,” this event is the first of several decentralised DBF programme scheduled throughout the 2024/25 financial year.

Approximately 130 ward-based businesses from various sectors will showcase their products and services during the three-day exhibition, engaging with thousands of potential buyers.

In addition to the exhibition, the South Regional DBF features several empowerment activities, including a two-day Business Indaba. On October 24, the Co-operative Development Indaba will host industry experts discussing how cooperatives can expand and diversify their offerings for local and international markets. Notable speakers include representatives from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, the German Cooperative and Raiffeisen Confederation, and the Small Enterprise Development Agency, among others.

On October 25, the Contractor Development Indaba will feature leading organizations, financial institutions, and social entrepreneur DJ Sbu Leope. Representatives from Property Point, the National Builders Registration Council, and Ithala Bank will share insights and uncover growth opportunities.

On October 26, the Enterprise and Supplier Development Regional Seminar will enhance support for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises by unlocking public and private procurement opportunities and access to funding.

The Fair will also showcase "Flavours of Durban," where local chefs, including renowned Nompumelo ‘Mprudie’ Nkosi, will demonstrate their culinary skills.

From October 25 to 27, attendees can gain valuable knowledge from the “Business of Filmmaking” panel featuring veteran actress Baby Cele and industry producers. Young minds will thrive in the Kiddiepreneur corner with YouTuber Ibanathi Mpungose and various entrepreneurial demonstrations.

Additionally, the International Pavilion will provide insights into global relations, featuring delegates from Junior Chamber International and the Pan African Chamber of Commerce, who will announce the launch of their Durban branch.

Fashion showcases and access to key municipal service departments will also be included.

Entry is free. For inquiries, call 031 266 9938.

Enter the 2024 Lions Den Business Plan Competition

 

By Fred Felton | Mar. 22, 2024.

EThekwini Municipality invites local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as well as co-operatives to apply for the 2024 Lions Den Business Plan Competition.

From left uMhlanga branch Mercedes-Benz Sales Executive Kitto Msomi handing over a R20 000 cheque to last year's emerging category winner Andile Madondo of Guru's Eatery (centre) with eThekwini Municipality's Head of Business Support, Tourism, Markets, and Agri-Business Unit Thulani Nzama. | Photo: ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY. 

The closing date for this competition is 5 April 2024.

This competition aims to stimulate good business ideas and encourage sustainable entrepreneurship, innovation, and competitiveness among entrepreneurs.

Those who enter have the chance to benefit from exciting business development prizes.

The competition will run in three categories as follows:

Emerging business with a viable business idea – will accept businesses with a turnover of less than R100 000 per annum.

Established business that need venture expansion – requires businesses with turnover of more than R100 000 and below R500 000 per annum.

Businesses that have demonstrated entrepreneurship excellence – this category is for businesses with a turnover of more than R500 000 per annum who has demonstrated exceptional business practice.

‘’This programme is yielding great results. We now invite more SMMEs to partake in this year’s programme,’’ said eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda.

You can download the application on the following link: https://rb.gy/53nwb7

Application forms are also available here:

At the following address: Business Support, Tourism, Markets and Agri-Business Unit, 7^th Floor Embassy Building, 199 Anton Lembede Street, Durban (or at Security Desk on the ground floor entrance)

At all Sizakala Centres.

SEDA, eThekwini branch, 127 Johannes Nkosi Street.

You can also access a form at www.durban.gov.za by clicking on the Government tab followed by Document and browse on Public Notices.

Requests can also be made to yanga.nyakeni@durban.gov.za or nondumiso.mhlongo@durban.gov.za

Those who have won this competition before have seen a positive impact on their businesses.

‘’The business is growing from strength to strength and I would encourage other businesses to enter the competition,’’ said Lungani Nene, founder of Spot-on Fire Controls.

Nene won under the entrepreneurship excellence category last year. He won equipment worth R40 000 which he said was a game changer for his business.

Guru’s Eatery co-founder, Andile Madondo won the Emerging category and received kitchen equipment worth R20 000. Madondo said efficiency of his business operations has improved since receiving the equipment.

Durban's Most Loved Local Businesses Revealed

Last week I was invited to a business breakfast courtesy of Santam to hear about successful local businesses from Durban.

Image caption: The owners of Durban’s Most Loved Local businesses, Kirk Maddocks, Samkelo Ngcobo, Nondumiso Mkhize, and Anwar Essop. (Image: Rogan Ward).

What do a fast-food takeaway shop, fitness boot camp, carpet and upholstery cleaning service, social media marketing company and beachside massage service all have

in common? They’ve all topped the list of Durban’s most loved local businesses by successfully turning their clients into lifelong fans.

Five of Durban’s most loved local businesses have been selected based on nominations from residents in a recent radio poll.

They were formally announced on 10 April by Santam, South Africa’s largest general insurer, at a Business Breakfast which honoured local entrepreneurs.

With many of Durban’s well-known entrepreneurs in attendance, the breakfast focused on building longevity of Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) by shining a

spotlight on opportunities that create an enabling environment to assist SMEs to thrive.

“SMEs are responsible for 60% of the labour-force in South Africa, and the impact of that is significant. Not just in terms of job creation but also, very importantly, as the

providers of the products and services we’ve all come to rely on. Entrepreneurs need to safeguard their livelihood and Santam has a critical role to play here. Businesses rely on us to help manage the insurance related risks that will help keep their doors open and their fans coming back for more. It’s a responsibility we take very seriously,” says Gerald van Wyk, Head: Business Development at Santam. “We’re passionate about empowering and supporting entrepreneurs. Beyond insurance, we’re continuously creating platforms to connect and showcase the SMEs that play a pivotal role in our economy and are integral in the communities in which they operate.”

The selection process for Durban’s most loved local businesses was conducted with East Cost Radio. Listeners were asked to call in and nominate the local business they simply could not live without.

Nominations were submitted and winners chosen from the large number of

entries, carefully selected by the team based on each businesses commitment to delivering exceptional service and standout quality products, going above and beyond

what was expected of them, and endearing themselves to the local community in a way that turned their customers into lifelong loyal fans. To celebrate these success

stories, the five winning businesses also received certificates of commendation from Santam.

The winners were:

Health & Fitness Invasion

Nominated by: Ayanda Mbuthu

A company that helps people to look and feel good about themselves in the name of fitness.

Jollyz Xpress

Nominated by: Shaheed Essop

Jollyz Xpress is a fast food takeaway situated in Prince Umhlangane Road.

Nondz Beach Massage Experience

Nominated by: Sibonokuhle Maduna

“She is the first black woman I know to give such a great experience to the community by giving massages at the beach.”

KB Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners

Nominated by: Ettiene Potgieter

“KB Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners has been around for many years. ‘’

iNCO Creative

Nominated by: Tiffany Esau

A social media marketing company that takes pride in every client.

Renowned author and entrepreneur, Mike Saunders, was the keynote speaker at the breakfast event and shared key take outs from his book The Five Year Mark, a

collection of his lessons learnt while establishing his own business.

Saunders says that SMEs are very close to his heart as they bring value to people in the forms of self-worth and employment.

His four tips for entrepreneurs starting out on their journey were:

· Chart your own course. Don’t get caught up in best practices. Best practices are best practices because everyone does them and you’re not going to stand out in the business world if you do what everybody else does.

· Focus on your output. If you cannot produce anything for the market then you don’t have a business.

· Be willing to pivot to what your clients want. You constantly need to listen to what your clients and your market want, and then meet those needs.

· Learn how to delegate.

For more information visit: www.santam.co.za

This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton

5 Tips To Help You Find Love This Valentine's Day

Digital Oxytocin, Does Your Business Have It?

The Love Hormone & The D.O Effect

Oxytocin. Now there’s a thing. A powerful human hormone that caps as a neurotransmitter in the brain. It’s arguably the most popular of hormones in the neighbourhood, because it triples up as the bonding hormone, the trust hormone and the security hormone that keeps your relationship pretty much on the V.I.P list.  

The question is: does your business do the same? Digital Oxytocin, or fondly dubbed as The D.O Effect, is an instant user experience that benchmarks the initial bonding stage between consumer and brand. Just like the “love hormone” of the brain, Digital Oxytocin is the chemistry responsible for attracting your audience, exciting your audience and making your audience stick around for more.  

When it comes to designing websites, an ‘exceptional digital experience’ should be Number 1 on your strategy list. Getting your D.O levels correct in business, has everything to do with amplifying the user journey online, and focussing on human behaviour as the brand goal towards delivering a compelling brand-consumer relationship.

The D.O Effect is a guaranteed game changer, and can be divided into 5 superior impact

touch points that will help you land the ‘love’, first time round.

# 1: Know What They Want: Intuitive design is real my friends. Knowing what your audience wants before they do is not a skill, it’s a design strategy - and it could save your bottom line. Intuitive design is quite simply, a matter of meeting your online customer’s needs seamlessly, without an interrupted experience. The idea of answering all your customer’s questions before they ask, is D.O gold. Ask yourself: what is the task and can my customer complete it effectively? 

# 2:  Don’t Make Them Work for It: If you’re running a ‘bookings’ business, for example, and your objective is to sell as many tickets online in a short space of time, make it easy. Simple = Satisfaction. You’ll want to tell your user what to buy, what it looks like, why to buy it and how to buy it in a few easy taps. Airline and Accommodation brands like travelstart.co.za and Airbnb.com respectively have improved their D.O Effect for now, with an easy-flow experience that makes browsing pleasurable, the price-compare experience simple and ensures the user feels secure and at ease from check in to check out.   

  

#3: Don’t Talk “Responsive” On the First Date: Or the second date. Or the third. Sadly, the term ‘Responsive Websites’ in business, has become as misunderstood as finding true love on the first swipe right. “Responsive Websites” means cross-screen compatibility – NOT necessarily cross-screen user-journey. The proverbial ‘cookie cut’ desktop approach is a fail in web design. Just because your site is ‘responsive’ across mobile or tablet devices doesn’t mean it meets the needs of the user. The truth is, you can’t have a responsive website without a memorable user journey. They need to exist together. If you want your customer to land on your website and stay, then your aim should be to have a ‘mobile first’ strategy in mind from the get go, to support your ‘responsive website.’

Consider this: if there are 3.7 billion unique users online globally (as at Jan 2018) and 49.7% are attributed to webpage viewing then you cannot, cannot, cannot purely rely on desktop stacking your website design. Design your website with a compelling mobile user experience in mind, FIRST – a design strategy that mirrors the same intuitive experience across all devices.

# 4: Spice It Up: Digital seduction is a key design strategy for Digital Oxytocin effectiveness. How to keep your user from straying? A. Your overall web design should be simple, balanced and aligned to your brand CI. B. Choosing a typeface that is easy on the eye and has a clear weight hierarchy is also must. C. To increase your chances on the D.O circuit, make sure to include visual imagery and video too. D. Whatever you do, DO NOT include  User Interface Animation (U.I) just because you think it looks or sounds cool. Nobody likes an “over-tryer”! Make sure U.I is only created for the purpose of enhancing the user experience, and not just for art’s sake.

# 5: You Have 3 Seconds. Go.: Quality, sex appeal and good conversation pretty much sums up the Richter scale of relationship “wants”.  Your brand has to present the same – and it only has 3 seconds online to determine whether your customer stays or strays. Your landing page should load and lure in your user within a 3 second speed span – telling them promptly that they’ve landed in the right place. Too much guess work on this one and you’ll risk losing them to Joe Soap in the adjacent tab. With an average of 200 ads being served to a user per day disruption is the new digital disease, and makes for a highly competitive landscape to play in. We recommend keeping your 3-second game plan strong.

SO….

Don’t let your plans of www domination stop at design. All things considered, the user journey should be high on the objectives list when it comes to strategising in the online space. Get your user to cuddle up to your brand by marrying form, functionality and intuitive strategy. It’s a non-negotiable. Your business just can’t afford the shortcomings of a negative user experience. Talk to So Interactive, a respected and seasoned digital studio based in Johannesburg, about your place in the market and establishing the touch points that will move your brand forward with Digital Oxytocin.

For more info visit: www.sointeractive.co.za 

Media Enquiries: Jacqueline Freer (info@jacquelinefreer.com)

#DigitalOxytocin 

Why You Should Attend Smart Procurement World KZN

This week the Smart Procurement World Conference and Expo is in Durban.

The event is being held at the ICC in Durban.

If you are in business then this is the event to attend this week.

You get to rub shoulders with the Durban Chamber of Commerce.  Look out for their stand at the event.

This conference links buyers with sellers in South Africa.

Look out for the public sector supply chain summit, the private sector/smart sourcing and supply chain management conference and more.

On Tuesday 6 June join the supplier matchup sessions from 9am.

For more info visit www.smartprocurementworld.com

Join the conversation #SPWKZN2017

The conference continues tomorrow.

Look out for it from 19 - 21 Sept 2017 in Midrand

This edition by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton

Opportunity for Entrepreneurs with Chivas Regal

Chivas Regal, the world’s first luxury Scotch whisky, launched the third year of The Venture – a global platform to find and support promising entrepreneurs who want to Win The Right Way - those who aspire to use enterprise and innovation as a force for good.

The Venture provides “social entrepreneurs” the opportunity to win a share of USD 1 million in financial investment, invaluable contacts and global exposure for their company, as well as mentorship from world-famous business mentors.

In 2016, more than 2 500 owners of start-ups from around the world applied for The Venture II, but only 27 were selected. Previous winners who have represented South Africa in the USA include CrashDetech, a revolutionary mobile phone app that detects car crashes, and Lumkani, a shack fire-detection device now used in informal settlements. Both businesses benefited from the opportunities created through The Venture platform.

This year, for the first time ever, Chivas Regal South Africa is exploring an exciting new platform to garner entries in the format of a 10-part televised elevator pitch series. Entrants from the submissions to The Venture will be selected to appear on the series where, in just 60 seconds, they will pitch their business ideas. Participants will be narrowed down to top five, who will then be mentored by well-known South African business moguls. The five will then re-pitch their polished business plans in a finale session to a panel of experts and celebrities, who will select The Venture 2017 winner to represent South Africa in The Venture III final in USA.

The show will air on national television, providing entrants with unrivalled publicity for their business.

According to Shelley Reeves, Marketing Manager Scotch Whiskies: “The essence of Chivas Regal’s global campaign of Win The Right Way aligns the values of Chivas Regal with the human value of aspiring to use enterprise as a force for good through social entrepreneurship. This innovative form of business creates renewed focus on key aspects of social development, such as long-term sustainability and efficiency, by blending traditional business objectives with the South African philosophy of Ubuntu.

“Over the last two years, we have shown our belief in and commitment to this philosophy by awarding USD 2 million to start-ups that ‘do well by doing good’, because we believe purpose and profit can coexist,” she says.

Both established and aspiring entrepreneurs can submit their business plans on www.Theventure.com from 15 September to 15 November 2016 to stand a chance of winning a portion of USD 1 million and representing South Africa on a global stage. Competition T&Cs can also be found on the site.

Follow The Venture on: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Google+, LinkedIn and Instagram

#TheventureSA #Wintherightway #ChivasregalSA