#YouthStartCT 2026 celebrates 10 years of backing Cape Town’s young business leaders
24 June 2026
Paul Whitehead and Candice Shunmoogam walked away with top honours at the #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge awards ceremony held at the Civic Centre Banqueting Hall on Tuesday evening, 23 June. Read more below:
The curtain fell on the 10th edition of the #YouthStartCT entrepreneurial challenge last night, when the winners were announced after just more than eight weeks of coaching, training and pitching before a panel of judges.
It was the most successful year yet, with just over 700 entries for existing businesses or business ideas - 145 of whom met the criteria to participate in the training and mentorship rounds.
The group included 68 females and 77 males from across the metropole, who either have existing businesses or business ideas, and nearly 40% of them were in the 18 – 25 age group.
The participants also represented 77 communities, including young people from Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Observatory, Kraaifontein, Delft, Langa, Mfuleni, Nyanga, Philippi and Gugulethu.
The Top 10 in both categories were finalised through a series of pitches.
'This youth upliftment programme has endured because it speaks to something very practical: young people need access to opportunity, not only encouragement. They need spaces where they can test an idea, get honest feedback, learn the basics, and build the confidence to keep going.
'That is what #YouthStartCT has tried to do over the past decade and this competition matters deeply in a city like ours. Because when we create an enabling environment and invest in our young people, we are not only investing in individual businesses or ideas. We are investing in confidence, in economic participation, and in the future of Cape Town,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and health, Councillor Francine Higham.
In the Existing Business Category, the top achievers were:Winner: Paul Whitehead of Major John (Woodstock)
1st Runner Up: Kylie Andrea Adam of Shanti Natural Care (Gardens)
2nd Runner Up: Nadia Abdul Wahab of Gymtech for Weightloss (Kraaifontein)
In the Business Ideas Category, the top achievers were:
Winner: Candice Shunmoogam of GWIN (Parkwood)
1st Runner Up: Malilimalo Phaswana of Wine Behaviour (Pinelands)
2nd Runner Up: Izak Liebenberg of Reality Atelier (Thornton)
'To our finalists and winners, congratulations. We are proud of you. To those who may not have received an award, please do not see this as the end of your journey. Cape Town needs your energy, your ideas and your courage. Thank you for being part of the #YouthStartCT story, and here's to the next decade of young entrepreneurs building a stronger, more inclusive and more hopeful Cape Town,' added Councillor Higham.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
