Maponya Mall selects the winner of the Maponya Mall Community Hub Business Battle

An exciting opportunity was offered to the local food vendors and SMMEs in Soweto to change the trajectory of their business. The Business Battle competition was launched on 15 June 2023 where one lucky local entrepreneur would stand a chance to win a two-year rent-free lease at the prestigious Maponya Mall Community Hub Café.

At Maponya Mall we firmly believe that every big business starts small. We are passionate about supporting the growth and success of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) in Soweto, and this competition is a testament to our commitment to the local business community.

The competition was open to all food business owners in Soweto who possess the drive, creativity, and determination to operate the Maponya Mall Community Hub Café.

The final judging day took place on Mandela Day, 18 July 2023 at the Maponya Mall Community Hub, where the top 5 finalists had the opportunity to present their business concepts to a panel of esteemed judges. The judges assessed the submissions based on innovation, feasibility, market potential, delicious food samples and their ability to create a lasting impact in the community.

The lucky winner of this competition secured themselves a two-year rent-free lease at the Maponya Mall Community Hub Café with additional access to invaluable mentorship from seasoned professionals and networking opportunities. We are dedicated to nurturing the success of the winner and providing guidance to navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business.

Chef Sibu Nyembe from The Food Truck was crowned the lucky winner of the competition by meeting all required criteria and astounded the judges with not just his food, but his overall business concept.

Through this competition, Maponya Mall aimed to empower local entrepreneurs in Soweto to transform their dreams into reality. We look forward to witnessing the incredible impact we can make on our community and the small business landscape.

For more information, visit www.maponyamall.co.za/thehub