Social entrepreneurs stand a quality chance to take their business to another level by entering the Iwisa No.1 Community Champions competition. Applications close on 31 July, having officially opened on 15 June.
This flagship competition aims to bolster township, rural and peri-urban upcoming businesses that are quietly solving South Africa’s most pressing challenges. It also serves as a platform to be seen, supported and celebrated: honouring everyday South African heroes and heroines driving extraordinary change and their SMMEs bringing about positive change in their communities.
Entrants stand a chance to win their share of R240 000 in funding, with R30 000, R20 000 and R10 000 being allocated to the first, second and third-place winners respectively.
Emmanuel Mothae of Bots Bakers, the 2024 national winner, provides a testimony of the impact of the competition in terms of providing much-needed growth. After scooping the first prize of R30 000, he reinvested this in the business, for it to become sustainable. The expert judging panel voted Mothae’s Bots Bakers as most deserving for his innovative thinking and vision.
Mothae has five young men in his employment, using five tricycles to distribute freshly baked products like bread, buns, pies and muffins.
“The competition is inspired by the fundamental belief that each of us is able to do good and bring positive change. This is made even more powerful when we do it together. Through this competition, we want to find them, engage with them and give them tools to scale their impact. We want to shine a spotlight on their contributions and the challenges they face so that others can put up their hand to help and support them too,” said Sibongile Mooko, premier executive of marketing of the sponsor.
The competition is open to social enterprises that have been operating for more than two years and are based in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng and Western Cape. Applications can be submitted using the link available here, from the Iwisa No 1 website (arrow to the right will show community champions competition information).
