Concept paper an integral part of competition

OF paramount importance for all those interested in the youth business plan competition is to have a concept paper where all the ideas can be looked at and be further polished up for the applicant to succeed in venturing into the business of their dream.
TechnoServe Business Advisor Samkelo Sukati, when addressing throngs of people on Saturday during the Believe Begin Become roadshow in Nhlangano, mentioned that expected from the entries, among other things, was proper planning.
“The concept paper is key out of all the other requirements for all those interested in the competition. Your wish list should be topped by this concept paper and it should include good ideas,” he told the big crowd assembled at the Nhlangano Complex Mall.
“The business or project one may wish to venture into should be vibrant and viable. It should have business impact.”
Sukati stated that other things were also considered in the competition, these including experience as well as how an applicant was prepared to exercise some patience.
“For one to make it, there has to be a passion for the business you may wish to start. Being an entrepreneur takes a lot of courage and only those possessing the needed qualities are considered and this comes after we are convinced that you are worth giving a chance,” said the business advisor.
Sukati said the competition was meant only for people between the ages 18-30. “The competition is reserved strictly for Swazi citizens or permanent residents. Other things considered are that one should be innovative or be someone already operating a business in the Kingdom,” he added.
Commenting on the response received since the road shows to sensitise young people about the competition begun, Sukati said there had been some improvements.
“This is the second road show as the first one was held in Big Bend. We had a massive turnout, but I must state that here in Nhlangano, we have seen a much more impressive response,” he said. “We also have noted that distribution of the guideline material on how to join has shot up compared to what we distributed in the Lubombo region.”
Sukati said what TechnoServe foresaw was that with a few more roadshows still to be staged, the organisation may find itself having to carry even more material for distribution.
“The vibe is that more and more people are now keen in taking part in the competition. This is encouraging and we call upon more youth not to hesitate doing so. Another thing that has created awareness about the competition is the slot we get in the media and this has really played a pivotal role.
“With our next roadshow slated for Buhleni in the Hhohho region, we are hoping to see an even a bigger crowd than the one here in Nhlangano. People are now knowledgeable about what is happening,” said Sukati.
The national youth business competition application closing date is April 3 and a grand prize of E100 000 seed capital is to be received by the eventual winner. Also, an additional top five finalists stand to receive E75 000 seed capital each while another 10 winners stand to get E30 000 as seed capital.

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