MALKERNS – This year’s TechnoServe Business Plan Competition saw the announcement of 21 finalists instead of 20.

 

This was due to the fact that there was a tie in two scores after the judging of the top 60 finalists.

 

The competition was launched last year and after the top 60 finalist have been judged, the top 20 finalists are then announced.

 

However, this year was different as 21 finalists made it through phase of the competition.

 

BPC Coordinator Julie Thring explained that there was a tie between two of the finalists and thus they had to pass both of them to the next phase. Thring stated that each of the 21 finalists would receive E30 000 vouchers for developing their businesses.

 

“From here, the 21 will be required to refine their business plans and submit them for judging. They will also be required to make oral presentations which will see the announcing of the top six in December,” she said.

 

Announcing the top 21 finalists was Jabu Stone, Director of Afrocentric Design, who congratulated the finalists for making it this far. He noted that business was not always smooth sailing, but urged them to hold onto their dreams.

 

The top 21 finalists:

 

Masiphula Mamba, Muzi Mkhonta, Samkelisiwe Nxumalo, Mduduzi Dludlu, Mxolisi Dlamini, Paani Quaynor, Nkosinathi Dlamini, Sipho Dludlu, Rocky Mkoko, Nkululeko Simelane, Sifiso Simelane, Nadja Smoor, Happiness Mkhatjwa, Celucolo Manana, Sabelo Myeni, Princess Kunene, Sicelo Maziya, Tengetile Ngwekazi, Ntombifuthi Maseko, Christopher Warburg and Ronald Mkhonta.