2019 Tabalaza applications to close
The high unemployment rate in the FS, especially amongst the youth calls for decisive intervention. Although the province registered a slight decrease of 0.5% on overall unemployment during the 2nd quarter of 2019, 33.2% of young people between 15-24 years in the Free State are not employed in education or training, exacerbating the youth unemployment crisis in the Free State. In an effort to deal with this challenges, the Free State Provincial Government introduced various interesting and progressive SMME support programme in order to assist entrepreneurs with sustainability and growth of their enterprises.
These Interventions include Tabalaza, Enterprise Development and Support Incentives, Agro-processing, Risk-Sharing Incentives and Incubator Support. Tabalaza Pitching Programme is one of the SMME Support Programme which started in 2017/18 financial year.
Tabalaza Pitching Programme is an initiative of DESTEA with the aim to promote entrepreneurship as a platform for SMMEs owned by young people to pitch and showcase products to potential customers and investors. A total of 38 enterprises participated in this programme since it started and 13 of the enterprises were awarded prizes ranging from R250 000 to R100 000. Forming part of the package are ten (10) businesses training modules.
Wining enterprises since the inception of the programme ranges from Construction, Civil and Structural Engineers, Media & Communication, Renewable energy, food and Manufacturing.
The Department has opened for application for this current financial year and is calling on entrepreneurs to come forward with their business ideas. The intention is to create a platform that links innovative business with potential investors/venture capitalists for support. In addition, the entrepreneurs will also get technical advice from the experienced investors, which may support their original ideas.
To participate in this programme, businesses should present the following:
- Updated compliance document i.e. certified ID copy, CIPC registration document and valid tax clearance.
- Bankable business plan/business profile with pictures
- Projected/Actual financial statement
- Detailed business needs
- Business should display job creation opportunities.
Top ten entries at districts level will pitch to panel of judges and top 3 enterprises at districts will be awarded prize money to purchase business equipment.
Prize for this year Tabalaza Pitching Programme range as follows:
- 1st Prize Equipment worth R300 000.00
- 2nd Prize Equipment worth R250 000.00
- 3rd Prize Equipment worth R200 000.00
The finalist of the grand provincial finale will walk away with equipment worth R800 000.000.
The application forms are available and can be accessed until 15 August 2019 at the following DESTEA Service Centre’s:
Mangaung: 113 St Andrew Building ground floor Bloemfontein
Thabo Mofutsanyana
Cell: 072 717 5625
Tel: 058 713 1965
FDC Building, 1st Floor Setsing, Phuthaditjhaba
Fezile Dabi: 73 Schilbatch Street, Parys: 082 443 5513
Motheo: Ratlou Complex -205 Station Road Thaba Nchu: 076 429 7249
Xhariep: Seda Xhariep, Khoisan Building, 53 Voortrekker Str, Trompsburg: 051 713 9500 or Submit entries via email:tabalaza@destea.gov.za
Enquiries:
Matlotlo Ntono
Tel: 051 400 9461
Molefi Ngesi
Tel: 051 400 9666
Lebogang Maloale
Cell: 051 400 9631
E-mail: maloalel@destea.gov.za
