When you decide to take a leap and start your own business, you need as much help as you can get. That’s why Nissan stepped up to help eight South African entrepreneurs. The Japanese automaker, working with the National Empowerment Fund (NEF), donated a Nissan vehicle to each of the visionaries.
Each wining entrepreneur was given the Nissan vehicle that works best for their vision. That meant that one NV350 panel van, two NP300 Hardbodys, four Nissan NP200 Base models, and one NP200 Base+ models will soon be hitting the streets of South Africa.
“Small and medium-sized enterprises form the backbone of the South African economy,” said Wonga Mesatywa, Director Corporate and General Affairs at Nissan Group of Africa. “It is estimated that they provide employment to roughly 60 percent of the labor force and account for about 34 percent of South Africa’s GDP. Nissan is in the business of building brands, in producing innovation that excites, and in helping small businesses succeed so that they can continue to create jobs and to support the economy.”
Some of the winning companies operated by the entrepreneurs include: Dandozest, a catering company operated by all black women; Okubabayo, an atchaar (South African pickles) manufacturer; Masefane Trading CC, a construction company operated by black women; Khuvena Consultancy CC, a service station; and The FOSST Discovery Centre at the University of Fort Hare, which uses community-based science projects to get young people interested in STEM careers.
We wish all of the entrepreneurs the best, and we hope their new Nissan vehicles serve them well.
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