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Eight small businesses from the North West Province recognised for excellence by Premier Thandi Modise shared a windfall of R250 000 at the Premier’s Small Business Awards & Gala Dinner held at the Mmabatho Convention Centre on Saturday evening.

“The awards should serve as an encouragement to celebrate perseverance, innovation and creativity for competitive business enterprises. The development and support of small to medium micro enterprises (SMMEs) is critical for job creation and the growth of our economy,” said Premier Modise in congratulating the winners on the closing night of the North West Province BRICS Expo and International Trade and Tourism Conference.

“The past twenty years has been a journey of empowerment and greater opportunities for small businesses. The possibilities for growth and greater participation abound for us to take advantage of and for these we are grateful and thank God,” said an upbeat 67 year-old Simon Mataboge of Lesedi Bookstore in Rustenburg whose company scooped the overall prize of R100 000 and R20 000 for the Wholesale and Retail Category.

Thirty four-year-old Rebaone Sejake of youth owned and managed business, Laudi Beauty Spa in Vryburg said that winning the R20 000 prize in the services category has encouraged her to go further to open a school that she will run as a franchise.

Runner-up in the Manufacturing category, Yvonne Van Vuuren of Leading Edge Clothing factory in Vryburg who received R10 000 said that the award was a huge encouragement for clothes making, a skill that needs to be developed among young people

Buffalo Crafts & Arts in Mogwase specialising in woods and stone carving, beads, clay pots won the R20 000 prize for this category.

BJJ & Gempal Mining, a company that prides itself in being women owned and managed company scooped the Mining category. The company had received a grant funding of R200 000 from the Provincial Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism to acquire machinery.

ASDA Guesthouse & Catering operating from a large double-storey house situated in Mogwase walked away with the R40 000 as winners in the Hospitality & Tourism and the Designated groups categories.