JA South Africa and Citi have partnered to launch the first Company of the Year competition, celebrating young entrepreneurs who have participated in the JA Mini Enterprise programme.
The Mini Enterprise programme is an intensive business programme for grades 10 to 12 where learners work in teams to start and run their own business after selecting a product or service. The teams are asked to conduct real business activities, and take in revenues.
The Company of the Year competition is a new addition to the programme, and will ask the participating entrepreneurs to showcase their business operations through the presentation of financial and business reports, and their products, to a panel of judges.
The entrepreneurs – who are the winning teams from local heats held in South Africa’s nine provinces – will travel to Johannesburg on October 2 and 3 to participate in the competition.
The team named winner in Johannesburg will progress to the pan-African finals to be held in Gabon later this year, where regional winners will go head-to-head for the overall prize.
“As the world continues to face a challenging economic environment, job creation has become a priority for nations across the globe. In times such as these, countries are trying to foster entrepreneurial development and spirit as a way to encourage citizens to identify their own opportunities,” said Dennis Evans, CCO for Citi South Africa.
“JA South Africa, of which Citi is a proud sponsor, plays a vital role in educating and encouraging young people from an early age to be an entrepreneur and prepare for life after school. It is our firm belief that the Company of the Year competiton will continue in this vein and help create more entrepreneurs.”
The two day event will also see entrepreneurs hear talks by a range of guest speakers, and participate in workshop sessions.
