KFC have announced the winners of their recent Hack-a-Preneur competition, , where three of South Africa’s up and coming young entrepreneurs have successfully demonstrated how they’ve turned life hacks into real business opportunities. These young business owners have consequently been chosen to receive their share of R500 000 worth of prizes from KFC, including cash prizes, mentorship sessions with a business coach and national and local media profiling.
Thanks to an esteemed panel of business bigwigs and the public of Mzansi, who helped in identifying and selecting these three outstanding young entrepreneurs, the winners will receive financial support and business counsel and publicity in an effort to help maintain and grow their business during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Grand prize winner: Green Scooter & Scooter Treats
The grand prize of R50,000 went to Fezile Dhlamini, founder of Green Scooter & Scooter Treats – a food-delivery business that uses electric scooters to service restaurants in townships including Soweto. At only 29, Fezile is contributing towards the township economy in a compelling way by creating employment opportunities in his community and increasing accessibility of restaurants found in & around various townships, all without adding to the carbon footprint of our nation.
GreenScooterZA demonstrates innovation and creativity by bringing electric vehicles to the forefront and championing their use in everyday life and business, showing us a possible future of effective and sustainable businesses that doesn’t accelerate the climate emergency but provides opportunity to the community and the surrounding businesses that it services.
2nd Prize winner: Kasi Meats
24-year old, Bohlale Buzani, walked away with the 2nd prize of a R30,000 cash injection into his business, Kasi Meats – a virtual butchery that delivers pre-packed meat in bulk to the customer’s doorstep. This Eastern Cape-based business was birthed as a result of the pandemic, with the country’s goal in mind to assist with flattening the curve during the national lockdown. While keeping members of his community safe by reducing their need to travel for essential food stuff, Bohlale also empowered local abattoirs and commercial farms to stay afloat by accelerating their stock demand through his service.
3rd prize winner: Emour Trading
The 3rd prize or R20,000 went to Emily Olifant who is a Biotechnology doctorate student that has hacked her way into supplying natural skin care products for both men and women of all skin types. Emour Trading is not only a product-driven service, Emily adds value to all her clients by constantly consulting them on their skin care through social media. Emily’s future plans are to grow her business exponentially over the next few years and make skincare knowledge accessible, something she believes is central to self-confidence in people.
“We were truly inspired by the numerous entries we received which has shown just how truly resilient South Africans are in the face of adversity. This initiative not only celebrated the uniqueness and resilience of our country’s people, but gave us an opportunity to drive interest in these small businesses – the backbone of our economy,” says Qhawekazi Mdikane, KFC Marketing Manager.
“In a truly South African way Mzansi got behind these brilliant young people, spurring them all on along the way. Congratulations to our winners, as well as all who entered – the quality of entries was incredible and there is no doubt that the contestants witnessed some tough competition,” continues Mdikane.
“Being part of the change that young entrepreneurs so needed at a time like this is core to who we are as a brand – tapping into South Africa’s culture and understanding the intrinsic needs of our community – and we will continue finding new ways to assist young entrepreneurs who are ‘hacking life’ and contributing positively to their communities and our country at large in the near future,” Concludes Mdikane.
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