2025 competition to reward SA's top social entrepreneurs
The Iwisa No.1 Community Champions Competition is back for its third year, celebrating township, rural, and peri-urban small businesses that are tackling some of South Africa's biggest challenges.
The 2025 edition of the competition launched online on June 15 during Youth Month, which is fitting, as many inspiring entrants in previous years have been young people leading change in their communities.
ALSO READ: Locals invited to enter potjiekos competition fundraiser on March 29
Sibongile Mooko, premier executive, said that addressing issues such as youth unemployment, education inequality, or environmental sustainability, these community heroes are being given a chance to be recognised and rewarded.
'The belief that each of us can do good and bring about change inspired the competition, and that this becomes more powerful when we do it together,' said Mooko.
The competition is open to social enterprises operating for more than two years in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Western Cape, and Gauteng.
Eligible businesses must address a clear social or environmental need and be financially active.
Ten finalists will be selected from each region to attend expert-led pitch workshops before competing in regional finals.
Winners could receive funding prizes of R30 000 (first place), R20 000 (second place), and R10 000 (third place) per region.
ALSO READ: Applications open for the 2025 Samsung Solve for tomorrow STEM competition
Beyond cash prizes, finalists will also benefit from a business bootcamp and three months of dedicated mentorship to help them grow and scale their impact.
This year's competition aligns with national development goals and the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It targets SMMEs working in sectors including
• Food security and nutrition
• Education and skills development
• Health and well-being
• Clean and affordable energy
• Circular economy and recycling
• Digital and tech innovation.
'Our theme this year is about building stronger communities by enabling those who serve them. We want to spotlight entrepreneurs working in these critical areas and help them grow,' said Mooko.
ALSO READ: Local swimmers need support for competition in Italy
Applications close on July 31. They must be submitted online via the Iwisa No.1 website www.qr.premierfmcg.com
When on the page, click the arrow on the right to find the Community Champions competition details.
In a world often filled with challenges, this competition brings a wave of hope as it celebrates the unsung champions of our communities – the entrepreneurs, problem-solvers, and doers.
If you or someone you know is making a difference, now is the time to be seen, supported, and celebrated.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
City of Johannesburg to sell or lease iconic community sports venue Marks Park
The Johannesburg Property Company is looking to lease or sell Marks Park. Image: File The Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) is going ahead with selling one of the city's iconic community sports venues, Marks Park. Reports tabled before the City of Johannesburg council reveal advanced plans by the JPC to sell the sprawling property, which according to the municipality was previously utilised for cricket training and practice session and hosting of cricket matches by the Protea Sports Club. "The property comprises of a club-house, tennis courts, bowling greens and a couple of other structures and is utilised for recreational purposes and to host concerts and events from time to time. The property is in close proximity to the West Park cemetery, Emmarentia Dam and residential properties. Due to its location, the sale could attract more development investment and optimal use of the property," reads the report. According to the municipality, the property value is in excess of R10 million and the updated valuation will be done prior to the use and leasing of the property. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The council ordered that since the fair market value of Marks Park exceeded R10m, the city manager must be authorised to conduct a public participation process as envisaged in terms of the municipality's supply chain management policy for land and Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations. In terms of the regulations, the participation process be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the above regulations. In addition, there must be an invitation of the local community and other interested parties to submit comments or representations and solicit the view and recommendations of the National Treasury and the Gauteng provincial treasury on the matter. The sale must also be in compliance with the Municipal Systems Act by publishing the notification through the media, in a local newspaper(s) published in the area of jurisdiction of the city, in a newspapers circulating in its area of jurisdiction and determined by the city as a newspaper of record, or by means of radio broadcasts covering the area of its jurisdiction. JPC must also submit a report within 60 days after the public participation process, advising whether the capital asset is needed to provide a minimum level of basic municipal services as well as the fair market value of the asset and the economic and community value to be received in exchange for the capital asset. After public participation has been concluded, all affected stakeholders are notified and updated in writing. "Comments from other departments/municipal entities/ward councillor, where applicable, are received and if there are no objections for the intended lease and that the properties are not needed for the provision of basic municipal services, a lease agreement may be entered into," the city proposed. Marks Park has a portion of the property which could be developed into a multi functional sporting facility comprising of tennis, netball, five-a-side soccer, basketball with medical facilities and other related facilities. JPC said the property is a non-core capital asset and it is therefore recommended that it be sold or leased on a long-term basis. "The market value will be determined by an independent valuer. Since the market value is estimated to exceed R10m, a public participation process in compliance with the requirements of Section 19 of the Supply Chain Management Policy for Land and Sections 34 and 35 of the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations needs to be undertaken. "It is requested that council approves the request to undertake a public participation process in compliance with the requirements of Sections 34 and 35 of the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations" the city proposed.
The South African
13 hours ago
- The South African
Parliament's register: What did Senzo Mchunu declare?
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu declared receiving a cellphone valued at R20 000, a goat, and a blanket worth R2 350, according to the 2025 Parliament Register of Members' Interests. The Ambassador of the Republic of China gave Mchunu the cellphone, while the community of Onyango in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal, gave him the goat and blanket. These items were listed under the 'Gifts and Hospitality' section of the register, which requires all Members of Parliament (MPs) to disclose any gifts or benefits they receive. Parliament confirmed that the 2025 disclosure process saw 100% compliance by the deadline, with no MPs submitting late declarations. According to Item 12(7) of the Parliamentary Code of Ethical Conduct. MPs must declare their registrable interests within the first quarter of the financial year. These include gifts, property holdings, business interests, and other benefits that could lead to conflicts of interest. Parliament stated: 'The code promotes a culture of openness and accountability, and the release of the register is a bold step in building public trust and confidence. Furthermore, by ensuring accountability of public representatives, the release ensures credibility of the oversight work over the executive.' As outlined in Item 12(1) of the Code, the register consists of a public and a confidential section. The public section is now available for citizens to view online: Register of Members' Interests (Public Section). Mchunu declared no ownership of companies, partnerships, or business organisations. He also confirmed that he does not receive sponsorship from any private entities and has no trusts or income-generating assets to declare. In the property section of the register, Mchunu listed three landholdings: A 403-hectare farm in Vryheid An 812 m² residential property in Panorama, Empangeni A 512 m² property in Ngwelezane Township, Empangeni Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
17 hours ago
- IOL News
Embattled Police Minister Mchunu gifted R20K phone, goat, and blanket in 2025 disclosures
A R20,000 cellphone and a goat, and a blanket valued at R2,350 were the only gifts embattled police minister Senzo Mchunu received. This was revealed in the 2025 Parliament's Register of Members' Interests. Listed under 'Gifts and Hospitality', Mchunu declared that he had received the phone from the Ambassador of the Republic of China and the goat and blanket from the community of Onyango in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal. The register is a public document that contains information about the financial and other interests of Members of Parliament (MPs). It attempts to increase openness, accountability, and public trust in the legislative process by requiring MPs to declare any conflicts between their public obligations and private interests. Mchunu is currently on special leave after KZN Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi also alleged that he disbanded a task force that was set up to investigate political killings in the province. The African National Congress (ANC) veteran did not declare ownership of any companies, businesses, or partnerships. Mchunu also claimed that he is not a member of a business organisation, nor is being sponsored by any entity.
