East London – The Hollywood Foundation proudly hosted the very first Eastern Cape Bambelela Business Awards, a powerful three-day journey that culminated in a glittering gala dinner on 4 September, where outstanding entrepreneurs from across the province were honoured for their resilience, creativity, and community impact.
The inaugural Eastern Cape edition was nothing short of inspiring. The programme began with a high-impact workshop aimed at equipping local SMMEs with practical tools and networks, followed by an engaging panel discussion, a vibrant exhibition, and a competitive pitch session that showcased the vision and brilliance of Eastern Cape entrepreneurs.
The evening’s winners shared R1 million worth of business equipment from the Hollywood Foundation, while MTN further empowered them with telecommunications devices, twelve months of data connectivity for the top three winners, and 20 Point-of-Sale devices for the top twenty, all designed to help these entrepreneurs grow in this digital age, innovate, and create sustainable jobs.
Reflecting on the event, Babongile Mkhize, Group Transformation Manager at Hollywoodbets, said: “The Eastern Cape has brought bold ideas, incredible resilience, and undeniable passion to the Bambelela Business Awards. Over the past two days, we have witnessed business brilliance, and the power of entrepreneurship to transform communities. Tonight, we are proud to recognise and support these trailblazers, who are building businesses and South Africa’s future.”
“Delivering the keynote address, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane commended the Hollywood Foundation for structuring its funding in a way that directly provides essential resources, enabling winners to expand their capacity and create much-needed jobs.” He added that the Bambelela Business Awards align with the province’s vision of an Eastern Cape that is industrialising, modernising, and rooted in community wealth creation. “Let us foster a culture of cooperative growth, where businesses collaborate, exchange skills, and trade with one another,” he urged.
Now in its third year running, as a national project, the Bambelela Business Awards have grown into a national movement for change, empowering over 268 SMMEs with more than R10.7 million in funding and business support across South Africa since its 2023 flagship event in Mpumalanga. With the addition of the Eastern Cape, the initiative continues to expand its reach and deepen its impact.
The Eastern Cape edition was made possible through the support of valued partners, including the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, the Eastern Cape Gambling Board, SEDFA, the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), MTN, Hollywoodbets and Tru FM.
Here’s a list of the Top 20 Winners:
First-Prize Winner and winner of R130 000: Buswana Creations
Second Prize Winner and winner of R100 000: SL Tita Holdings
Third-Prize Winner and winner of R70 000: Siphethubomi healthcare services
Seventeen Runner-Ups and recipients of R40 000:
– Noma’s Florist
– Kofini & Co.
– NDIMBI Clothing
– Uphiwe and Owethu enterprise
– House 87
– Imonti Cinematic Unit
– Amish Beauty and Glamour
– The Hill Boutique Hotel
– PERENNIAL GROWTH
– Lindrish’s Trading Enterprise
– UBUNTU NATURAL MADE BODY PRODUCTS
– Mohasoa Brothers Trading
– SBK Training Academy
– Twinbird Poutry Farm
– NJM Solutions Hub
– Mashexa Enterprises (PTY) LTD
– Real Wealth is Health (PTY) LTD
Spot Prize Winners
Recipient of R10 000 – Facebook Marketing Competition: Makausi Enterprise (Pty) Ltd
Recipient of R5 000 – Early Bird Pitchers Award: Lubra Pictures (Pty) Ltd
Recipient of R5 000 – Best presented exhibition stand: Mashexa Enterprise (Pty) Ltd
