Owners of Ballito e-commerce healthcare company Omninela, brothers Nicolas (26) and Ricardo (28) Lognath, claimed first prize in the prestigious iLembe Chamber of Commerce’s entrepreneur competition held at Bidvest McCarthy Toyota Ballito last Friday.
Their business provides online access to more than 5 000 health, beauty and pet care products.
“To be shortlisted as finalists was an honour. and it was a privilege working with the other finalists. The competition judging criteria were extremely detailed.
“As a business striving to offer solutions for the health tech industry, this opportunity has allowed us to network with many talented people. We gained a better understanding of what makes up our business, while identifying new strategies for future growth,” said Ricardo.
Second prize went to Charlton Nyamadzawo, owner of bespoke engineering manufacturing company Haka Manufacturing in Shakaskraal.
The company manufactures block-making machines, hosepipe reels, racer brackets, canoe pedals, gas burners, tine shoes, tine ends, tap locks, prototypes of original manufacturers, precision machine parts, sheet metal and bearing housings.
Walking away with third prize was pinafore manufacturer Ntombikhona Khumeni, the founder of Khonah K Designs.
Located in Melville, Khonah K Designs employs seven people and outsources production to another five SMMEs owing to high demand.
The winners each take their share of more than R90 000 in advertising sponsored by The North Coast Courier, among other prizes including cash injections into their businesses.
iLembe Chamber CEO, Cobus Oelofse, said this year’s finalists were of a very high standard.
This was clearly reflected in the high marks the finalists achieved during the UKZN Graduate School of Business and Leadership short course, as shared by lecturer Dr Simon Taylor.
“Omninela Medical has set the bar exceptionally high. Operating online in a sector as advanced as health tech will add massively to the credibility of the programme as a business accelerator,” said Oelofse.
“I am also very excited that both the second and third prize winners are manufacturing businesses, the economic sector with the most significant job creation potential and one that should be nurtured.”
He said finalists from the four local municipalities – Maphumulo, Ndwedwe, KwaDukuza and Mandeni – benefitted from participating in the programme.
“About 350 000 job seekers enter the South African market every year, with only 200 000 opportunities created. This emphasises the importance of enterprise support and business accelerator programmes such as the iLembe Chamber’s entrepreneur programme. We must reach viable businesses with growth potential. That is why we select the most promising ones and cut out the crazy, hazy and lazy fund seekers. The programme aims to provide SMMEs with a runway, or making their runways a bit longer to ensure a smooth take-off,” said Oelofse.
The competition is made possible by the support of King Shaka International Airport, The North Coast Courier, Siza Water, Enterprise iLembe, Engie Peakers Operations and The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Graduate School of Business and Leadership.
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