We have a winner!

The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) has announced the winners in the 2012 Seda Small Business Stars national business plan competition.

The winners were selected after 180 finalists – drawn from more than 5500 entries – presented their business concepts to 18 provincial judging panels, who selected a total of 11 national finalists. Another four special category awards were allocated; these included best woman entrepreneur, best youth entrepreneur, best job-creating entrepreneur and best entrepreneur with a disability.

National winner: Adesh Naidoo from Kwa-Zulu Natal, Clean Street

This passionate and determined entrepreneur plans to take his concept – a special green-friendly litter bin that provides advertising revenue for the city – to every municipality in South Africa. The judges believe that Adesh has the drive and business acumen to launch this product, even in the highly competitive media sector, and unanimously gave him their highest score.

National runners-up:

• Palesa Moeketsi from Western Cape – Chesa Communications.
• Bokao Theka from North-West, Canvas Products.
• Lizelle Beukes from Gauteng, Arrero Premium Car Fragrance.

Special awards:

• Most promising woman entrepreneur: Tabisa Nomnganga of Bravo Promotions in the the Western Cape.
• Most promising youth entrepreneur: fashion entrepreneur Thula Sindi from Gauteng.
• Most promising job-creating entrepreneur: Martin Brown of Radical Holdings in Gauteng.
• Most promising entrepreneur with a disability: Martin Brown, Tabisa Nomnganga and Obed Segooa