MTN-SEDCO FINALISTS COMPLETE TRAINING

MBABANE - The top 20 finalists of the MTN-Small Enterprises Development Company (SEDCO) Cija Ngebhizinisi seed capital competition have graduated after undergoing a rigorous one-week business training.

The training was conducted by SEDCO at the Manzini estate. It began last week Monday and ended on Friday.
Its aim was to equip the top 20 finalists with practical skills and provide a networking platform to share ideas, information and solutions.

Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Marcia Vilane said the training was an eye-opener to them and a huge step towards professionalising their businesses.

 She said the training was one of the most informative, captivating and interactive lessons she had ever been part of.
“We had everything in the room and we will be walking out here with the objective of supporting one another,” she said.
During an interview prior to the graduation, Vilane said the MTN-SEDCO Cija business training was the best training she had ever attended. 

“We have been in business for a while, but I discovered that we were not doing many things right - learning to know the tools and what to do and not to do, has given me a new sense of purpose. I am fired up and I look forward to pursuing the things we have learned from this training,” she further stated.

Another graduate, Sipho Dlamini who owns Smoke and Grill Restaurant at Mantenga Craft and Lifestyle Centre, was equally enthusiastic after completing the training.
He said it was a unique and pleasant experience beyond all expectations.
“I gained valuable knowledge and skills. The training is one of the most transformative and enlightening experiences I have had,” he said.

He is a trained marketer, but he said his weakness had been on the financial side of things.
“I think I will forever be thankful for the practical financial lessons I have learned during this training,” he said.
The MTN-SEDCO Cija Ngebhizinisi radio business education programme ran for 18 weeks on Eswatini Broadcasting Information Services (EBIS 1). Its aim is to enhance start-ups and SMEs’ understanding on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship.

After the 18 weeks, followers of the programme were then invited to fill in application forms for the seed funding competition.
Of the total number of applications received this year, 29 were eligible to go to the next stage of the competition which was site visits by the competition judges.

The top 20 was drawn from entrants that were found to be implementing the key topics that were covered by the radio programme. Five start-ups from the top 20 finalists will win seed capital worth E10 000 each.

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