Cape Town: The #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge winner writes their own story. Rashaad Sambaba of Everything Stationery walked away with top honours at the awards evening that held at the Sea Point Civic Centre.
Major objective of the annual #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial challenge is to unlock opportunities for entrepreneurs with existing businesses or business ideas, and in turn help address youth unemployment.
Reportedly, the participants this year in 2025, attended three training sessions and delivered pitch presentations to make it to the next round. Rashaad Sambaba entered the existing businesses category, and beat out dozens of other entrepreneurs during several rounds of pitches before the adjudication panel.
Sambaba aged 34, from Parow started the business in year 2023. He has a staff complement of two and hopes to grow his business even more now that he has conquered #YouthStartCT.
Theophilus Nyiki of IQula Colognes grabs second position, while Maronga Korora of MK24: Clean & Restore finished in third position.
The winners who grabbed prizes in the business ideas categories are:
- Manufacturing – Joshua Van Staden of I Can Only Imagine
- Agriculture and farming – Simone Govender of EcoCycle Solutions Nombasa Bungane of Future Focus Farmers
- Finance and business services – Erica Mbazima of She is Protected Morell Ndhlovu of Icebox Rentals
- Information technology – Miche Frans of GameXperience Africa Lungelo Siwela of Asifunde Chommie
- Tourism – Manthole Maila of Asafim Uriah Cloete of Art Galleries in Communities
Total cash prizes given were R115, 000 and were directly awarded to the winners of the Top-10 Existing Businesses, by ABSA.
Each top three finalists received a tailored Business Development Support Intervention valued at up to R20,000. This support is officially sponsored by ABSA, that could include items such as electronic devices which are tailored to their business needs.
Additional prizes were also given that included business mentorship and coaching, training and development opportunities, to office or co-working space memberships, business-related materials, financial support services such as accounting and legal assistance, as well as exposure and networking opportunities.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health – Councillor Francine Higham said that a hearty congratulations to the winners, and to each and every participant who showed up, the partners and the Community, Arts and Culture Development Department for organising the challenge.
It’s wonderful to celebrate the young entrepreneurs in Youth Month. The #YouthstartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge speaks to the City’s commitment to youth development.
They hope that the winners will build on their successes and will share knowledge and expertise with other aspiring entrepreneurs in their local communities. The City of Cape Town will continue to invest in the Challenge, and they hope to see more young people entering the competition next year.
Winner of the year 2023, Justin Gelderbloem of JDG Events, was a subcontractor at last night’s awards ceremony and is now a vendor for the city. This demonstrates the impact that competition has on young entrepreneurs and the kind of successes they are hoping for.
The City of Cape Town’s partners in the competition included Workshop17, ABSA, ORTSA, the V&A Waterfront, False Bay College and Silulo Foundation.