Gift Ndolwane
JOHANNESBURG – SMALL businesses are the key drivers of economic growth, employment creation, and are also sources of innovation and new ideas.
But most entrepreneurs say it can be quite a lonely journey, and a constant battle between the drive of ambition and the attendant doubts of self-preservation, which are often coupled with the daily battles of self-doubt and anxiety.
Those were the sentiments expressed at the Shanduka Black Umbrellas National Development Awards that were held in Sandton, Johannesburg recently to recognize the success of entrepreneurs under their wing.
Director of Kopedi Business Enterprises, Abel Masekoameng who quit his engineering job and remembers how difficult it was at the beginning to go without an income.
“It’s not easy to leave cushion of a salary as family needs like the bonds , rent , school and other household expenses accumulate it needs balls of steel for lack of a better word “ says Masekoameng.
Imraan Ismael one of the Shanduka mentors recalls how a year ago he found himself unhappy about everything in life from rising youth unemployment, high crime, price increases to job losses.

“I then I asked myself if we are going to change things, how are we going to do it?? And more importantly, who is going to do it? What am I going to make things better?” .

He says he started looking for opportunities to make a difference and so far being SBU mentor has one of the highest returns of investment on his time, knowledge and experience.

Imraan notes many challenges facing start ups like his brother, who is wallowing in debt of up to one million rands and facing legal action.

“Closer to home my brother was part of a government initiative in conjunction with industry leaders to help establish new businesses’’ adds Imraan.

However Indrani Govender, who is an entrepreneur and owns a construction company feels that despite these hardships entrepreneurs have an important part to play in the economy.
“I have lost count of number of employees in company, and that its every entrepreneur‘s duty to contribute to the SA economy”.
Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa who is also the Chairman of Shanduka says people must persevere to make it through the journey.
“In my own life, I also failed, I also had hard knocks but in the end I was successful because I persisted, I was consistent and I was focused,” says Ramaphosa in his keynote speech.

Donne Niccol Board member of SBU said, “What inspires me about Shanduka Black Umbrellas is the lives we change”. – gift.ndolwane@cajnewafrica.com
The winners of the awards are :
Most Jobs Created: Kopedi Business Enterprises
Best Performing Company: Modi Mining
SBU Ambassador: Hula Minerals and Processing
SBU People’s Choice Award: African Breeze Projects and Construction
Incubator of the Year: Lephalale
Overall Winner: Hula Minerals and Processing

Second place winners:
Most Jobs Created: Mthiyane Construction
Best Performing Company: Kipp Consulting Engineers
Best Shanduka Black Umbrellas Ambassador: Sunglide 68cc

Third place winners:
Most Jobs Created: Ricinz
Best Performing Company: Ceracure
Best SBU Ambassador: Akili Contentworx CC