AfriForum and AfriForum Sakenetwerk decided in 2019 to launch a competition – Besigheidsbytjies – for junior entrepreneurs. This year the competition expanded further so that high school learners in Grade 8 and 9 could also participate in the entrepreneur competition.
The aim of this competition is to develop young children’s entrepreneurial skills from an early age. AfriForum believes that the Besigheidsbytjies competition will also develop learners’ leadership qualties and teach them to take responsibility themselves for carrying into effect their unique and innovative ideas. This will encourage them to make a difference in society and in our country. The children of today are indeed the leaders of tomorrow and they can create hope by building their future from an early age.
“We would like to also thank our two sponsers of the competition: Pretoria FM that acted as media partner and Akademia,” says Leandie Bräsler, AfriForum’s Manager for Junior Youth Leadership Development.
The entrees opened on 1 April 2020 and closed again on 30 October 2020. Each learner that participated in the competition becomes part of the Byekorf. The competition took place online at www.besigheidsbytjies.co.za and learners could enter in the comfort of their own home. The public had the opportunity to vote for their favourite entrepreneur in November 2020 of which their votes count 50% of the total votes and the judges judged the participants on 27 November 2020 which determined the other 50%.
There are big prizes at stake:
- Category 1 (Grade 1–3): Winner + R5 000 cash and a Samsung Galaxy Tab E 9.6 to the value of R3 500 for the learner or winning team. Runner-up + R2 500 cash and a cordless speaker (JBL Flip) to the value of R1 400 for the learner or winning team.
- Category 2 (Grade 4–7): Winner + R7 000 cash and a Samsung Galaxy Tab E 9.6 to the value of R3 500 for the learner or winning team. Runner-up + R3 500 cash and a cordless speaker (JBL Flip) to the value of R1 400 for the learner or winning team.
- Category 3 (Grade 8–9): Winner + R10 000 cash and a Samsung Galaxy Tab E 9.6 to the value of R3 500 for the learner or winning team. Runner-up + R5 000 cash and a cordless speaker (JBL Flip) to the value of R1 400 for the learner or winning team. Academia also gives away a backpack to Category 3 winners.
Congratulations to the winners:
- Category 1 (foundation phase):
Winner: Kian Smuts (Sywurms vir Afrika), Pretoria-Oos Primary School
Runner-up: Estehan Kruger (Braai Akker), Brentwoodpark Primary School
- Category 2 (intermediate phase):
Winner: Jayden and Petri Barnard (Stertswaai), Laer Volkskool Heidelberg
Runner-up: Pedrie Smith (Pedrie se Motorhuis-houtwerke), Onverwacht Primary School
- Category 3 (high school – Grade 8 and 9):
Winner: Elsa Vermooten (Smul), home school
Runner-up: Franco Maree (DieNes), Oos-Moot High School
Be on the look out for next year’s Besigheidsbytjies Entrepreneur Competition and enter free of charge. You can also stand a chance to win wonderful prizes to possibly invest in your business.
Please visit www.besigheidsbytjies.co.za and download our Besigheidsbytjies guide free of charge.
