The Diagnostic Radiography graduate beat other hopefuls to the title, held at the awards ceremony at Parktown Hotel, Johannesburg this morning.
Selloane’s winning business plan is based on an onsite mobile X-ray services business called Visionary X-rays. The business will provide onsite mobile tuberculosis (TB) screening services, by making use of X-ray equipment installed inside a trailer, to employees and family members of businesses operating in the mining, manufacturing and construction sectors, who are prone to occupational lung diseases and are residing in areas considered “unreachable” with little or no access to quality healthcare services.
Speaking exclusively to SLM, the ambitious Selloane says the idea of starting the business was borne three-year ago after seeing that miners were not receiving proper treatment, including their families in the far flung areas of FS.
“That prompted me to research, probe and enquire about the Toolkit SME on the Business Partners template website some three years’ ago,” says the (28) flawless beauty Selloane.
The competition is open to aspiring entrepreneurs between ages of 18 and 35.
Now in its 6th year, the competition seeks to equip passionate and enthusiastic youth with the knowledge to turn their business idea into a reality.
According to Selloane, she has to raise R780 000 to kick-start the business although through her brains, has managed thus far to raise R560 000 from sponsors such as Engen (provide trailer truck) and US Africa Development Fund, amongst others.
“My wish is to round up everything before the end of the year, so that by next year all the ducks must be in the same row, “says the Oodendalsrus (Welkom) based, who is pursuing her MBA.
This year the competition received over 211 entries initially, and, after completion of the workshops, 65 business plans were received for judging, from which seven regional winners were selected to contend for the overall national title.
BUSINESS/PARTNERS Executive Director Christo Botes, who gave a speech basing it on numbers and probabilities, says that the competitive advantage of the business model is that it will provide unlimited access to its customer as, unlike clinics and hospitals, it will not be fixed in one place, referring to Selloane’s business plan.
SMMEs create jobs and contribute significantly 1,5% to the GDP of the economy out of 54million population. This means they have a huge role to play in the economy of the country, says Botes.
Other regional finalists:
Tshepiso Molepo of Pure Bottles Packaging (Greater Johannesburg regional winner)
Molepo’s resourceful informal network of bottle collectors gather, hygienically cleans and sterilize used glass bottles for commercial re-use purposes which are then re-sold to major brands in the beverage, pharmaceutical and food industries,
Sinethemba Mthombeni of MADib-ED (Greater Pretoria area winner)
MADib-ED (Madiba day Every Day) is an online news platform that aims to showcase organisations giving back to the communities in which they operate, thereby helping them build a favourable image in the eyes of their target market(s),
Bhekithemba Mkhonza of Indalo Funeral Services (Mpumalanga area winner)
Mkhonza seeks to provide his community and surrounding areas personalised and professional funeral services that ensure dignified funerals at lower prices,
Delvin Malatji of Eco-Visor (Limpopo area winner)
Malatji is currently developing an innovative, water-preserving Eco-Visor product targeted at rural areas to counter water shortages, as well as ensure that water is used sparingly in these dry environments,
Nombuyiselo Mkhize of Zithathe Hub (Eastern Cape/ KwaZulu-Natal regional winner)
Zithathe Hub is a non-profit organisation aimed at nurturing and supporting young people in becoming successful entrepreneurs through a youth-based incubation programme; Zithathe Hub Incubation Programme strategically targets unemployed matriculants and those who dropped out of high school,
Tania Cunningham of Yaldi Health (Western Cape regional winner)
Cunningham seeks to provide convenience food to young working professionals who have busy lifestyles and aspire to live healthier through mobile health food trucks that sell a range of tasty, healthy and affordable food.
In addition to receiving expert knowledge to establish their business, each regional winner will receive a R5 000 mentorship support voucher from BUSINESS/PARTNERS, with the overall winner receiving an additional R10 000 mentorship support voucher, R20 000 cash prize and a smart tablet.
The awards are held as part of celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week.
