MALKERNS – For the second time running, women have failed to impress judges of the Believe Begin Become Business Plan Competition hosted by Technoserve.

 

The competition was launched last year and is meant to award an aspiring entrepreneur who is able to come up with a viable business plan and further implement it.

 

Last year saw the grand prize, a seed capital of E150 000 going to Phila Msibi and this year, 28-year-old Mduduzi Dludlu was awarded the grand prize.

 

Out of the top 21 finalists, only six were female while the rest were male. These are Nadjar Smoor, Ntombifuthi Maseko, Happiness Mkhatjwa, Princes Kunene, Tengetile Ngwekazi and Samkelisiwe Nxumalo.

 

Only one finalist, Happiness Mkhatjwa managed to make it to the top five and received a seed capital of E75 000 plus E30 000 for making it to the top 21.

 

The ceremony was held on Friday evening at House on Fire.

 

Technoserve Country Director Leslie Johnson said the competitors were not judged on past achievements but solely on the viability of their ideas and their potential ability to put the idea into practise.

 

“The Believe Begin Become is more than just a business plan competition, it is in fact a rigorous training programme for entrepreneurs.

 

“It involves just two months of classes, lots of home work and mentoring by volunteering business people, following which each participant submits his or her business plan for judging,” she explained.