The Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Social Economy (CSESE) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) hosted the Emerging Social Enterprise Awards in October 2014. With the aim of promoting growth, the awards ceremony acknowledges noble work done by emerging social enterprises with less than 3 years of existence.
“There is a need to celebrate the emerging social entrepreneurs in South Africa, because more often than not it is the same rock-star social entrepreneurs that are celebrated, while the emerging social entrepreneurs are overlooked,” said Dr Susan Steinman, the Director of CSESE.
Social Enterprises were honoured with Prizes from LifeCo Unlimited, PwC, Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) and SEED Academy – to assist the businesses towards growth and sustainability, whilst giving credit for the social and green economic advancement achieved in the social sector. 1ST PRIZE: R35, 000 cash, plus 1 year golden membership of the Social Incubator at the CSESE. 2nd PRIZE: R22, 500 cash, plus 1 year silver membership of the Social Incubator at the CSESE. 3rd PRIZE: R15, 000 cash, plus 1 year basic membership of the online Social Incubator at the CSESE.
The 2014 Emerging Social Enterprise winners:
- Overall winner: Mr Jacendra Naidoo – Founder and Managing Director: Clothes to Cash Exchange (Pty) Ltd.
- Woman winner: Trisha Siegel – Director of Business Development: Play Africa Museum.
- Youth winner: Mr William Makgaba – Director: Vexospark Community Technology Centre, Limpopo.
The 2014 Emerging Social Enterprise winners, Runners up:
- Overall winner: Mr Rudzani Mulaudzi –Director: Afri-Acts (Pty) Ltd.
- Woman winner: Ms. Lusanda Gwayi – Co-Founder and CEO: Peculiar Tutors Pty Ltd.
- Youth winner: Mr. Zakheni B Ngubo – Founder and Senior Managing Partner Associations: Blanket Tech operating as Syafunda