The Innovator Trust held graduation ceremonies in Johannesburg and Cape Town in recognition of graduates who achieved success in their businesses as part of the Enterprise Development (ED) and GIBS PMD Progammes.
Through the innovative programmes offered, Information Communication Technology (ICT) focussed small businesses are enabled with the skills needed to work towards success. The Innovator Trust ED programme goes beyond the skills of starting a business, focusing on the knowledge and tactics needed to go from a small to medium-sized business. Furthermore, the Innovator Trust partners with companies that have experience and knowledge in this field, with the goal of growing SMME entrepreneurship and making an impact in the ICT SMME sector in South Africa.
And the award goes to…
Top Achiever awards were scooped up by Mark Ajham (Bilionetworks) and Jennifer Claasen (Ngaphaya YZK10), while the Most Conscientious Black Female awards went to Yumnah Saban (Tone Media) and Bongiwe Mbongwe (Classic Options).
Zumurrud Rinquest (Curious & Creative) and Glynn Mashonga (GlobeScope Security) received the award for Top Black Female Entrepreneur.
The Overall Top Achiever (Western Cape) award went to Mark Ajham (Billionetworks), and Overall Top Achiever (Port Elizabeth) went to Zunaid Moosajee (Bay Technologies).
Cape Town graduates
The following beneficiary graduates received certificates for their business achievements:
- Sedick Isaacs (Ashtec)
- Mark Ahjam (Bilionetworks)
- Zummurrud Rinquest (Curious & Creative)
- Tania Andrews (Custom Graphics)
- Imaad Toffar (Cybertech-IT)
- Hadley John Harris (Futuretell)
- Bheki Kunene (Mindtrix Media)
- Marwaan Sasman (Pigeon Pie)
- Naasier Adams (Scamp Media)
- Yusuf Groenewald (Softlite)
- Yumnah Saban and Nazeem Saban (Tone Media)
- Celestine Williams (Cyan Developments)
- Glynn Mashonga (Globescope Security)
- Damian Michael (Innovo Networks)
- Portia Hlengiwe (Karisani IT)
- Reon Maslamoney (Kumnandi Technologies)
- Jennifer Classen (Ngaphaya YZK10)
- Mohamed Harneker and Garth Mackintosh (Safe ID)
- Saki Mzolisi (Siyanda)
- Tembinkosi Qondela and Pamell Siphika (Whizz ICT Centre)
Johannesburg graduates
The following graduates were honoured for their achievements:
- Mncedisi Mabhele (Akilii Conectworx)
- Ruby Thavamoney Moodley (IT Networks Recruitment)
- Zunaid Moosajee (Bay Technologies)
“Once the entrepreneurs who participate in our ED programmes become more established, they focus on growth. This is specifically for entrepreneurs who’ve created start-ups with high-growth potential and to provide them with the skills to scale responsibly,” says the Innovator Trust CEO, Tashline Jooste.
These programmes offer the beneficiary training, mentorship, exposure and development, equipping their business with the tools to enable achievement of goals.
“I strongly believe that ICT entrepreneurs are critical to South Africa’s economic growth, which is why we need to focus on equipping these businesses with the skills they need to grow, create jobs and stimulate our economy,” concludes Jooste.
