The Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber celebrated entrepreneurial excellence on Monday, 3 November, as they announced the winners of their prestigious Entrepreneur Programme 2025 NMB Edition. After intense competition among 25 finalists, three outstanding local businesses emerged victorious, sharing a total of R80,000 in prize money.
Taking first place and the R50,000 grand prize was Marshall Hill, founded by Julie Coetzee, the manufacturer behind Sweet Thing Meringues. The company has achieved remarkable success, with their natural meringue-based desserts now stocked in approximately 200 stores across the Eastern and Western Cape. The business has built its reputation on producing preservative-free, high-quality meringue products that have captured the market’s attention.
Second place, earning R20,000, went to Ududu, the brainchild of Bulelwa Qupe. This ready-to-wear clothing brand focuses specifically on empowering women through fashion, with a mission to “clothe women in strength and dignity.” Targeting style-conscious women aged 18-35, Ududu has positioned itself as a provider of unique, quality fashion that resonates with its audience’s desire for both style and empowerment.
Claiming third place and R10,000 was Siya Meals, operated by Siyamthanda Mahabeni-Tshidino. This comprehensive catering business serves a diverse range of events including funerals, weddings, municipal functions, organisational gatherings, and various celebrations, filling a crucial need in the local market.
The Entrepreneur Programme 2025 provided a platform for local business owners to present concise 60-second pitches showcasing their innovations, scalability potential, and community contributions. The competition highlighted the diverse range of entrepreneurial talent in the Nelson Mandela Bay area, with participants representing sectors from food production and fashion to catering and sustainable solutions.
Beyond the monetary prizes, the finalists gained access to valuable business resources through the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber. Winners received chamber memberships, access to supply chains, exposure opportunities, and connections to funding platforms. The chamber’s network of over 700 business members provides ongoing support for entrepreneurs looking to scale their ventures.
The event emphasised the importance of supporting local entrepreneurship and creating opportunities for business growth within the community. The programme reflects the chamber’s commitment to fostering innovation and economic development in the Nelson Mandela Bay region.
The success of the 2025 programme has already generated enthusiasm for continuing the initiative, with organisers expressing excitement about supporting more local entrepreneurs in future iterations of the competition.
You must be logged in to post a comment.