#YouthstartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge winner writes his own story
12 June 2025
Rashaad Sambaba of Everything Stationery walked away with top honours at the awards evening held at the Sea Point Civic Centre.
The objective of the annual #YouthStartCT Entrepreneurial challenge is to unlock opportunities for entrepreneurs with existing businesses or business ideas, and in turn help address youth unemployment.
Participants this year attended three training sessions and delivered pitch presentations to make it to the next round.
Rashaad Sambaba entered the existing businesses category, and beat out dozens of other entrepreneurs during several rounds of pitches before the adjudication panel.
Sambaba, 34, from Parow started the business in 2023. He has a staff complement of two and hopes to grow his business even more now that he has conquered #YouthStartCT.
Theophilus Nyiki of IQula Colognes came in second, while Maronga Korora of MK24: Clean & Restore finished in third position
The winners in the business ideas categories are:
CATEGORY WINNER RUNNER-UP
Manufacturing - Joshua Van Staden of I Can Only Imagine
Agriculture and farming - Simone Govender of EcoCycle Solutions Nombasa Bungane of Future Focus Farmers
Finance and business services - Erica Mbazima of She is Protected Morell Ndhlovu of Icebox Rentals
Information technology - Miche Frans of GameXperience Africa Lungelo Siwela of Asifunde Chommie
Tourism - Manthole Maila of Asafim Uriah Cloete of Art Galleries in Communities
Cash prizes totalling R115, 000 were directly awarded to the winners of the Top 10 Existing Businesses, by ABSA.
The top three finalists each received a tailored Business Development Support Intervention valued at up to R20, 000. This support, sponsored by ABSA, could include items such as electronic devices (e.g., inverters) tailored to their business needs.
Additional prizes included business mentorship and coaching, training and development opportunities, office or co-working space memberships, business-related materials, financial support services (such as accounting and legal assistance), as well as exposure and networking opportunities.
‘A hearty congratulations not only to our winners, but to each and every participant who showed up, our partners and our Community, Arts and Culture Development Department for organising the challenge. It’s wonderful to be celebrating our young entrepreneurs in Youth Month. The #YouthstartCT Entrepreneurial Challenge speaks to the City's commitment to youth development. We hope that the winners will build on their successes and share knowledge and expertise with other aspiring entrepreneurs in their local communities. The City will continue to invest in the Challenge, and we hope to see more young people entering the competition next year,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
The 2023 winner, Justin Gelderbloem of JDG Events, was a subcontractor at last night’s awards ceremony and is now a vendor for the City. This demonstrates the impact that the competition has on young entrepreneurs and the kind of successes we are hoping for.
The City’s partners in the competition included Workshop17, ABSA, ORTSA, the V&A Waterfront, False Bay College and Silulo Foundation.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
