Growing small businesses will secure a sustainable future for South Africa, which is why Brandhouse Beverages has sponsored the ‘Pitch & Polish’ entrepreneurship competition.
Brandhouse’s corporate social responsibility manager Phumza Rengqe says that this competition has enabled the premier beverage manufacturer to stimulate entrepreneurial minds.
“As partners in the ‘Pitch & Polish’ competition, we were able to contribute to job creation and the development of a sustainable economy, especially with small businesses in the informal sector,” says Rengqe.
“We understand the attributes of potential entrepreneurs and encourage the competition’s participants to inspire others with the realisation of owning success. The entrepreneurial participants that entered ‘Pitch & Polish’ are influential in their own right and should be acknowledged for their efforts and success.”
Rengqe says ‘Pitch & Polish’ also appeals to the Brandhouse Beverages company ethos, as Brandhouse strives to encourage ‘innovation and entrepreneurship, which are essential to our success.” She explains,
“Our accomplishments are driven by employees with entrepreneurial flair and a commitment to thrive. We want employees to have the freedom to inspire and succeed in all areas of work and leisure.”
‘Pitch & Polish’ is not the only entrepreneurship project that Brandhouse Beverages is involved with. It also has a four-year strategic partnership with the Tertiary School in Business Administration (TSiBA), which provides an innovative and comprehensive solution to addressing inequality in a sustainable manner.
By creating access to high-quality business education, focused on entrepreneurship and leadership, TSiBA enables young people to build their own wealth.
Its holistic model of education ensures the retention and wellrounded development of experience, as well as contribution to the shortage of high-level professional and managerial skills in South Africa.
‘Pitch & Polish’ organisers believe this competition proves that not all is lost when it comes to the local small-business sector.
“Various entrepreneurial reports mention that South Africa is a weak country when it comes to entrepreneurship. But one wonders if those researchers have ever met the people we found during this nationwide competition. We’re finding grassroots entrepreneurial talent,” they said.