Bonny M | October 23, 2025
Photographer | Patricia Moholo
On Saturday, 18 October 2025, Glitz Magazine had the honour of attending the Entrepreneurship Empowerment Youth Series (EESY) award ceremony at St. Mary’s in Waverley. The event was a beautiful celebration of innovation, determination, and the unstoppable spirit of youth entrepreneurship.
The EESY program, designed and facilitated by Sizanani alumna Chantal Mashele, was created to ignite the entrepreneurial drive among young people in Alexandra township. With the support of the Entrepreneurship Development Trust (EDT) as the main funder and the Belgium Chamber of Commerce in South Africa (BCCSA), the program offers ten sessions of free training, mentorship, and emotional support, nurturing small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs who are ready to shape their future.
Starting with 23 eager participants, the program saw 11 of them complete at least eight sessions, a testament to their passion, resilience, and dedication. Through mentorship from professionals, they learned how to refine their business ideas, strengthen their strategies, and build enterprises that reflect both purpose and sustainability.
The afternoon also brought together a distinguished panel of judges who had the honour of selecting this year’s standout entrepreneurs. The jury included:
*Bonny Motsoane, Editor-in-Chief of Glitz Magazine
*Val Mhlongo from Seeds of Africa (Incubator)
*Claudine Vanden Abeele from the Belgium Chamber of Commerce in Southern Africa
*Lebohang Likhojane from Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct
While three outstanding entrepreneurs were awarded cash prizes to help fuel their business expansion, it’s important to celebrate that every participant walked away with invaluable knowledge and experience. All participants received certificates of completion, recognizing their dedication and growth. This newfound expertise will undoubtedly help them elevate their businesses and continue their entrepreneurial journey.
After careful deliberation, three remarkable young entrepreneurs were named as the 2025 EESY Award Winners:
*Tlotlo Dube of Lokale
*Makobo Sekhololo of Ms Prime Nails
*Neo Pelo of PeloAqua
Each of these bright visionaries impressed the judges with their innovative ideas, determination, and the heart behind their businesses, proving that true entrepreneurship begins with a vision to serve and uplift one’s community. And while the journey of the three winners begins with these cash prizes, every participant’s journey is enriched by the skills and insights gained along the way.
The EESY initiative stands as a powerful reminder that when opportunity meets passion, transformation follows. With mentorship, belief, and community support, the youth of Alexandra are not just dreaming of change, they are building it. The journey is not over as the program will keep offering mentorship and small funding, to all the entrepreneurs who participated in the pitch season, until March 2026.
EESY Programme Contact Details:
Email : info@sizanani.org.za
Mobile : 083 750 77 25