Theo Lutho Gora, founder of Kasi Delivery Service, has been awarded second place in the Eastern Cape leg of the IWISA No. 1 Community Champions competition. The announcement was made at a recent ceremony in Gqeberha, where Gora and nine other shortlisted SMEs presented their social enterprises to a panel of expert judges.
Gora’s prize includes a share of the R60 000 allocated to the region, as well as expert business development training with winners from other participating regions.
“The build-up to this year’s regional finals has been very exciting,” said Julian Singonza, Premier FMCG Managing Executive: Sustainability. “We received almost 600 entries across four regions, and the quality of applications was significant.
“Each of these SMEs is making a very positive social impact in their immediate communities, driving sustainable solutions to access to education, food security, and unemployment, among others. We celebrate everyone who presented today. You did yourselves and the causes you represent proud. As IWISA No. 1, we have heard you and will continue looking for ways to support you,” said Singonza, commending the finalists.
“I’m definitely very happy about the big win for the business, particularly because this will directly impact two people who will now be fully employed,” said Gora, expressing his excitement.
With the R20 000 cash prize, Kasi Delivery Service will purchase an additional delivery motorbike, which will mean two more drivers will be employed to rotate service delivery.
“When hiring new recruits, we market the vacancies in all the major townships in Gqeberha. Then we do our shortlisting and once that has been completed, we ensure the candidates write their learner’s licence and eventually obtain their motorbike licence.
“This helps not only to equip South African citizens with employment, but also gives them a skill for even more employment opportunities for the future,” the young CEO proudly said.
On Monday, August 12, Kasi Delivery Service launched a 12-month mentorship programme, when 50 drivers who were each awarded a motorbike through an initiative by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Agency, will be trained and will work hand-in-hand with the business.
“They will work as sub-contractors for the business, and we will show them the ins and outs of this industry, thereafter they will decide if they want to continue with us or venture off into working for themselves. Ours is to do the best we can for our fellow South African brothers and sisters; we cannot continue having young unemployed people sitting in the townships,” Gora stressed.
The competition recognises local social entrepreneurs who have developed viable township SMEs that address social needs, such as crime, poverty, or unemployment. The initiative is designed to prepare regional finalists from Gauteng, Free State, and the Eastern and Western Cape to pitch their SMEs to a panel of experts and win their share of the collective R60 000 allocated per region.
In the weeks leading up to the regional final, the 10 shortlisted SMEs received expert training focused on their marketing and sales abilities. This training aimed at strengthening the skills needed to continue taking their SMEs to market, building sustainability as a direct outcome of participating in the competition.
IWISA No. 1 has committed to supporting these enterprises through tcompetition and other programs.
“We remain committed to enabling and growing these game-changing enterprises across South Africa,” said Singonza. “They’re helping their communities to overcome challenges and find impactful solutions that change lives and collective futures. We will continue supporting them through this competition, and other flagship programmes. Keep watching this space!”
