Given slow economic growth and high levels of unemployment in South Africa, government is undertaking various initia- tives to bolster economic growth and increase job creation, but support from business owners and a strong entrepreneurial culture are needed for government’s job creation drive.

This is according to the Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises Bulelani Magwanishe, who spoke at State-owned power utility Eskom’s Business Investment Competition awards cere- mony in Sandton last week.

The Business Investment Competition was open to small and medium-sized black-owned businesses that have been operating for a minimum of two years in the agriculture, manufacturing and trade and services sectors.

Magwanishe stated that one of the most effective mechanisms to drive economic growth and job creation was through State-owned enterprises, such as Eskom, and using strategic enter- prise development programmes to ensure that the country’s growth objectives were met.

As a result, the Eskom Development Founda- tion established an enterprise development programme centred on the flagship Business Investment Competition.

The programme, which focuses on education, environment, health, food security and agriculture, recognises successful small black-owned businesses and rewards them with cash prizes to reinvest in the business, helping it to thrive and grow and, in turn, create employment.

“We will only achieve our ambitious poverty reduction and development agenda through systematic economic growth and the creation of jobs, and the Business Investment Competition helps us identify businesses that show massive potential that, through strategic investment, we can help to succeed,” Magwanishe said.

He added that the competition was only open to businesses that have been operating for at least two years, as research had indicated that many small businesses fail within the first two years of operation.

Khariye Poultry Farming was named the most outstanding small business and was the overall winner at the awards.

A grant from the Department of Agriculture enabled the company to build two additional structures to house their chickens, resulting in significant growth for the company. The company currently employs five permanent and 22 temporary employees. With the prize money, Khariye Poultry Farming plans to expand the business by building more structures to house more chickens and meet the ever-increasing demand, with the long-term view to distribute its products nationally.

Mpilende Foods received the award in the manufacturing sector category. The company has pioneered the manufacturing of high- quality and affordable vitamin-fortified processed food.

The company focuses on the role of food in combating hunger, poverty and malnutrition in the region in which it operates and it was this commitment to food security that prompted the Eskom Development Foundation to award them first place in the category.

Pyramid Electrical Contractors, a fully black-owned and 100% woman equity enterprise, was awarded top honours in the trade or services sector.

Buffalo City Organic Producers was awarded first prize in the agriculture sector. The company grows fresh vegetables using four hydroponic tunnels.