Limpopo: Famed for its scenic beauty, dramatic mountains and rich culture Limpopo province is fast-growing and a tourism Mecca Lephalale or Ellisras is a coal mining town in Limpopo east of the Waterberg Coalfield. The region will host its first 67CEOs Foundation Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) which happens once a year in November. This year marks 12 years of the movement helping millions of people through local, national and global events and activities to unleash their ideas to start and scale new businesses.
67CEOs Foundation strategically has chosen Mogol Club, Lephalale, in Limpopo Province to host the region’s inaugural pre-GEW two day conference taking place on 12 and 13 November, under the theme “Advancing Market Access”. The fully booked free two day conference will host dynamic conversations, offer strategic platforms to create networking opportunities for Entrepreneurs and drive business to business access and will be opened by Executive Mayor of Lephalale Municipality Jack Moloko Maeko.
The theme was selected as a result of disruptive innovations which are transforming Africa’s economic potential, creating new target markets and unprecedented consumer choice. Capitalising on these potential opportunities requires complete reconsideration of customer engagement and business development strategies, which need to focus on how Small, Medium & Micro Enterprise Businesses (SMMEs) can ride the wave.
Dr Jason Musyoka – Business Leadership, Consultant and Associate Researcher with Samketsi Consulting will deliver a key note address on Advancing Markets for SMME’s. Marang Marekimane, Founder of Business Process Mechanic will host a master class on Digitial Technology to gain Market Access and Anita Jack – Material Developer, (SABS) will offer a master class on Product Standardisation, Testing and Certification – Market Access Readiness. In addition panel discussions, business pitches and business expertise will unpack opportunities and provide critical mastery for SME’s.
The goals of the pitching competition are, to win access to market prize money, become eligible for mentorship, and to have the opportunity to get attention of potential Angels, Venture Capitalists, customers and other partners to SMMEs business. Selected candidates have maximum 3 minutes to pitch their business. Three (3) finalists will be selected each day, on day two – 13 November, six (6) finalists will pitch again and three (3) winners are selected.
The regional pitching competition prizes are:
- Overall winner – R25,000
- 1st runner up – R15,000
- 2nd runner up – R10,00
One of the key focus areas for this year’s GEW2019 by 67CEOs is how South African SMMEs can benefit immensely from African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments, thus paving the way for accelerating the establishment of the Customs Union. The GEW2019 is a great platform for SMMEs to highlight beneficiation according to NPD 2030 and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act.
AfCFTA is also expected to enhance competitiveness at the industry and enterprise level through exploitation of opportunities to scale production, for continental market access and better reallocation of resources.
We strongly believe that SMMEs have the potential to create more jobs, continue to contribute to local and national economic growth when adequately supported through public-private partnerships (PPP) and actively take advantage of continental policy and technology development to accelerate access to markets.
67CEOs GEW2019 will run in 3 regions with pre-GEW activities and the official launch in Lephalale, Limpopo Province on the 12 November 2019 until the 13 November. In the Mpumalanga region, there will be a 2-day programme, event dates are 18 and 19 November. The Gauteng Province will be the final stop, and will run for 3 days, starting from 21 to 23 November. On the third day, we will host a mini regional pitch fest whereby the overall winner from Limpopo and Mpumalanga will compete with Gauteng overall winner for a bigger grant funding and other benefits. 67CEOs GEW2019 will conclude by seeing selected SMMEs exhibiting their products to the public on the last day – The Market Day, 23 November 2019.
For more information on 67CEOs and GEW2019 contact Derrick Ndzavi (Head of Mentorship, 67CEOs Foundation) +27 81 761 8997
For Media enquiries, interview requests and other queries please contact media@jtcomms.co.za or call 011 788 7632
Issued by JT Communication Solutions on behalf of 67CEOs Foundation host of GEW2019 – www.67ceos.org
About Exxaro
In November 2006, Kumba Resources Limited unbundled and Kumba’s coal and other assets merged with Eyesizwe Coal to create Exxaro Resources Limited. Exxaro has since grown to become one of the largest and foremost black-empowered diversified mining companies in South Africa. Exxaro has an asset portfolio, which includes coal operations and investments in iron ore, residual pigment manufacturing, renewable energy (wind), and base metals. Exxaro aims to power better lives in Africa and beyond by responsibly investing in commodities that will sustain life on the continent. The company’s growth and innovation trajectory positions it to be a source of endless possibilities. In the last decade, Exxaro has established itself as an organisation that is respected by its peers for its innovation, ethics, and integrity, and has been recognised as a leading performer in the FTSE Russel ESG Index.
www.exxaro.com
About 67CEOs
At 67CEOs™ Foundation NPC (2018/343943/08), we Inspire Possibility Thinking in young people. We convene CEOs to mentor, educate, inspire and invest in young people, startup entrepreneurs and SMMEs. CEOs volunteer their time, expertise and resources as a form of their individual social responsibilities through active participation in our programmes. Our programmes are educational, socio-economic and enterprise development inclined.
Our Vision
To achieve massive inclusion of young entrepreneurs into the mainstream economy through mentorship, entrepreneurship education and enterprise development programmes.
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