Young Entrepreneurs Shine At CBZ YEP Awards

Zimbabwe’S largest financial services group by asset base and deposits, CBZ Holdings Limited, last week announced the winners of the YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAM (YEP) at an event held at a local hotel in Harare. The awards ceremony was the culmination of the journey that the banking behemoth started last year. The institution traversed the length and breadth of the country’s 10 provinces in search of a new generation of growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

The Bank, in partnership with Empowered Life Trust, a non-profit making organisation launched the inaugural edition of YEP last year in October in a sequence of workshops across the country’s 10 provinces. And from the 10 provinces, 10 winners were selected, one from each province, who would compete at the national stage.

Speaking at the event last Thursday, CBZ Group CEO Mr. N. Nyemudzo said, “the YEP program started with an invitation for proposals from the youths between 18-30 years, across the country with a special focus on striking a gender balance. More than 1300 proposals were received and these were streamlined to 10 people per province through intensive selection processes and workshops. Ultimately the ten best youth entrepreneurs across all the provinces were then selected for the finals….”

The 2016 YEP edition was in three phases. The first phase involved workshops for up to 150 participants per province leading to selection of the top 10 participants from each province. Phase two, saw 100 participants that is 10 per province completing in a number of individual and group assignments while also attending regional workshops. Of the 100 only 20 were selected, two per province.

The third phase focused on providing seed capital to the 10 remaining participants, out of which 10 were selected as winners.

“Ultimately the best 10 youth entrepreneurs across all the provinces were then selected for the finals, hence our gathering “Mr. N. Nyemudzo added.

The top 3 winners were , Abrigo Pvt Ltd which came in third , Skybag Fabric Tailors Private Limited second and the winner Chigutiro Food on wheels.

About the Winners

Chigutiro Food On Wheels, CEO Sipho Pinky Mudzingwa standing outside the trailer.

Chigutiro Food on wheels, the brain child of Sipho Pinky Mudzingwa, a female aged 28 from Gweru. Chigutiro Food On Wheels is essentially a large towable trailer that is equipped with the necessary equipment to cook and conveniently sell food. The trailer is mostly be situated at the Midlands State University campus. The startup company also provides services for private occasions like corporate gatherings, braai and grill parties, birthdays, social gatherings as well as branded promotions like product launch parties, retail store promotions and many more.

Skybag Fabric Tailors Private Limited, founder Kudakwashe Chinya receiving Cash from CBZ Group CEO Mr. N. Nyemudzo

Skybag Fabric Tailors Private Limited, was founded by Kudakwashe Chinya. The company manufacturers school satchels, portfolios, nappy bags and travel bags. These are sold at very affordable prices, some as low as $1.

Abrigo Private Limited is a road sign manufacturing and construction company. Acccording to the founder and CEO, Mr Alson Jasi, they are the first company to manufacture new SADC road Signs in Zimbabwe and supply government Departments, Councils and other asphalt contractors.