Cloudy Deliveries has been announced the 2024 IWISA No 1 Community Champion in the Western Cape. Facing stiff competition from deserving finalists across the region, Colin Mkosi, the social entrepreneur behind the Kasi bicycle food delivery SME will return home to his Khayelitsha community equipped with R30 000 in prize money, and ready and motivated to continue making a real difference in the lives of the individuals his social enterprise serves.
Colin Mkosi from Cloudy Deliveries; Ncumisa Mkabile from Mamcube Fresh Produce; and Thobinceba (Thobey) Qambela from Fierce Creative Academy were named first, second and third place winners of the Western Cape IWISA No 1 Community Champions competition in Cape Town on Friday.
Guests, supporters and fellow champions applauded loudly when IWISA No 1’s expert judging panel made the much-anticipated announcement – having witnessed the compelling morning session of “pitching” by the 10 remarkable SMEs shortlisted from the region. Each of the winners takes home prize money that will be used to further build, grow and sustain their social enterprises. They will also attend in-person expert business development training with winners from other participating regions later in the year.
Now in its second year, the IWISA No 1 Community Champions competition recognises the contribution of local social entrepreneurs who have developed viable township SMEs that solve for a social challenge such as crime, poverty or unemployment. The competition journey is designed to prepare regional finalists from Gauteng, Free State and the Eastern and Western Cape to “pitch” their SMEs to a panel of experts to win their share of the collective R60 000 allocated per region.
In the weeks leading up to the regional final, the 10 shortlisted SMEs received expert training focused on their marketing and sales abilities. In this way, they strengthened the skills needed to continue taking their SMEs to market – building sustainability as a direct outcome of participating in the competition.
“The build-up to this year’s regional finals has been very exciting,” says Sibongile Mooko, Premier Executive: Marketing (Milling). “Not only did we receive almost 600 entries in total across the four participating regions, but the quality of applications was also significant. As a brand committed to building strong communities and empowering individuals, we were touched and humbled by the exceptional contributions social enterprises are making across our nation. We thank everyone who participated and wish them well.”
The meaningful purpose driving each of the finalists made for very difficult decision-making by the judges. Mooko commended the finalists in her feedback: “From stories about advancing STEM outcomes with tutoring and providing study guides in a mix of English and isiXhosa, through to emergency medical care transport services, as well as empowering local youth to explore local film-making and fashion creation, each of these SMEs are making a very positive social impact in their immediate communities – driving sustainable solutions to access to education, food security and unemployment, among others. We celebrate everyone who presented today. You did yourselves and the causes you represent proud. As IWISA No 1 we have heard you and will continue looking for ways to support you.”
In his thank you speech, delighted winner Colin Mkosi from Cloudy Deliveries said this was “a great moment” for the business: “I can’t wait to go back to our workshop and share the news with the team. We are grateful to Iwisa No 1 for this platform to showcase our business and tell our story. As social entrepreneurs, we need people to keep pushing us and encouraging us forward. This inspires us to do more.”
Mooko closed the official procedures by thanking everyone who had contributed to making the competition journey so fulfilling. “As IWISA No 1, we’d like to thank our competition partners the Silulo Foundation and the IDC, our organisers and internal team. None of this would have been possible without your hard work and commitment. We’re excited to see how we build on this remarkable event going forward.”
As for next year’s IWISA No 1’s Community Champions event? “We remain committed to enabling and growing these game-changing enterprises across South Africa. They’re helping their communities to overcome challenges and find impactful solutions that change lives and collective futures. We will continue supporting them through this competition and other flagship programmes. Keep watching this space!”
