
THE WESTERN CAPE
Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards
The Western Cape Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards 2021 (WCERA) is the premium entrepreneurship competition in the Western Cape that recognises the achievements and potential of some of the Province’s most inspiring entrepreneurs.
Criteria
to qualify
Categories
in the competition
Prizes
for winners
Process
how to enter
Rules
t&c's
2021 Category Winners & Runners-Up
Overall Winner
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Nigel Jacobs of Jacobs Jam Company
was voted as the WCERA 2020 Business of the Year
on 25 November 2021

Emerging Business
Winner
Jacobs Jam Company
Runner-Up
Delmed Logistics
Innovative Business
Winner
Hypernova Space Technologies
Runner-Up
Skywalk Innovations
Social Enterprise
Winner
FutureMe
Runner-Up
H18 Foundation
Woman Owned Business
Winner
Our Poultry Place
Runner-Up
Home Bao
Youth Owned Business
Winner
Arion Power
Runner-Up
BEST Training
Township Based Business
Winner
Unyazi Designs
Runner-Up
Eyasekuhlaleni Gas

Criteria
By acknowledging and showcasing successful entrepreneurs, this awards competition is helping to build a culture of entrepreneurship in the Western Cape by supporting small and medium businesses.
Previous category winners may not enter with the same business for three consecutive years. However, previous category winners may enter a new or different business or idea. Government employees (local, provincial and national government departments) are not permitted to enter the WCERA competition.
Entries close on 10 August 2021 at midnight. Late entries will not be accepted.
Entrant Criteria:
- Must be a South African citizen residing in the Western Cape with a valid South African identity document OR if there are non-South African applicants, they must have proof of permanent residency
- All the business operations must be Western Cape based
- Must be a duly registered entity
- Must be in possession of a valid tax clearance certificate
- Latest financial statements/management accounts/business bank account statements
- Have sound financial performance over the last year
- A sole proprietor or partnership must provide a letter from the accountant confirming that the sole proprietor or partnership is complying to general business principles
Categories
There are 6 categories in the competition
Emerging Business
A business in its initial growth phase operating in the Western Cape for 12 months or longer, but not longer than 36 months with a minimum annual turnover of R50 000.00
Innovative Business
Operating in the Western Cape for 12 months or longer. This refers to an innovative solution or approach to an existing service or product
Township Business
A township-based business in its initial growth phase operating in the Western Cape for 12 months or longer with a minimum turnover of R200 000.00
Social Enterprise
Any revenue generating entity operating in the Western Cape for 12 months or longer, which aims to address a social challenge or need
Woman-owned Business
A 100% woman-owned business in its initial growth phase operating in the Western Cape for 12 months or longer – but not longer than 36 months - with a minimum annual turnover of R100 000.00
Youth Owned Business
A youth-owned business (18 to 35 years old) in its initial growth phase operating in the Western Cape for 12 months or longer – but not longer than 36 months - with a minimum annual turnover of R100 000.00
Entrants may not enter more than one category with the same business.
prizes
There will be 1 winner and 1 runner-up per category, resulting in 6 category winners and 6 runners-up. An overall winner will be selected. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in November 2021.
per category
1st Prize
R30 000.00
2nd Prize
R20 000.00
All prizes are non-negotiable and non-transferable
overall winner
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
The winner of each category is also eligible for the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The overall winner will be judged on the ability of the business to sustain/create jobs and to increase its turn- over in the medium to long-term.
Process
The Western Cape Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards competition has two phases leading up to the actual Awards event.
1. CALL FOR ENTRIES
This phase runs from 14 July to 10 August 2021 and you can enter via the online form on this website.
2. SELECTION OF FINALISTS AND WINNERS
A panel of experienced and independent judges will evaluate all entries using a standard scoring system.
AWARDS EVENT
The WCERA 2021 Awards evening will take place in November 2021.
2020 Category Winners & Runners-Up
Overall Winner
Entrepreneur of the Year Award
Ntombi Nonxuba of Rise Uniforms
was voted as the WCERA 2020 Business of the Year
on 26 November 2020

Emerging Business
Winner
Aizatron
Runner-Up
Contour Enviro Group
Innovative Business
Winner
Hout Bay Air Water
Runner-Up
Renegade Wines
Social Enterprise
Winner
Genesis Community IT Initiative
Runner-Up
Click Africa Digital
Woman Owned Business
Winner
Rise Uniforms
Runner-Up
The Wren Design
Youth Owned Business
Winner
Ground Culture
Runner-Up
Veldt Boerdery
Township Based Business
Winner
4Roomed eKasi Culture
Runner-Up
Ntlantsana Accountants and Auditors

Rules
These are the rules, terms and conditions for entrants in the Western Cape Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards Competition. Please ensure you read them carefully as they include permission to use photographs of entrants as well as important requirements which, if not met, may result in your entry being removed from consideration.
A. GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. By entering the Western Cape Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards Competition (“the competition”), the entrant agrees to be bound by these terms and conditions, regardless of whether the entry form is fully completed, signed or not.
2. Any entry which is found to be partially or fully incomplete, non-compliant with the Awards criteria, illegible or otherwise substantially deficient or ill-prepared; or which is submitted after the closing date and time, may be withdrawn from consideration, without notice and at the sole discretion of the organisers.
3. The entrant confirms that all information provided is true and accurate. Any entry containing false or misleading information may be withdrawn from consideration, without notice and at the sole discretion of the organisers.
4. The decision of the adjudicators and organisers with regard to eligibility, scoring and the allocation of Awards shall be final.
5. Entrants are required to co-operate as far as reasonably possible with the organisers in respect of the provision and verification of information and site visits, and any failure to provide all reasonable co-operation may result in withdrawal from consideration.
6. Entry may only be made by means of the official online forms.
7. The entrant grants permission to the organisers of the competition to have their photograph taken and/or be filmed, without prior notice, during site visits and attendance at any competition meeting or event; and for any such photograph or film to be used without payment of any consideration in printed, online (internet), video or other promotional or competition-related communication, press release or article, without prior notice.
8. Any cash prizes awarded shall only be paid into the primary bank account of the business entity which is being entered. No cash prizes shall be paid into any individual’s bank account save where the business is a sole proprietorship and the proprietor and business share a bank account. The organisers reserve the right to require and request proof that the bank account is that of the entered entity, and the consent of all directors to payment being made into such account.
9. The organisers reserve the right to change, without prior or any notice other than on the competition website, the dates, entry forms and requirements, adjudication process, criteria, categories and any other competition feature and process, in the interests of fairness, transparency, or where operational circumstances require such change.
10. Business ideas or existing businesses in the tobacco, firearms (excepting sporting use), alcohol, adult (sex) and gambling / wagering industries will not be considered for the Awards.
11. A business which operates in the Western Cape, but is a branch, franchise or subsidiary of a company whose primary operations are outside the Western Cape is not eligible to enter.
12. All information shall be handled with the necessary confidentiality and care, subject to the Department’s right to publish information about the winning entrants as set out herein before.
13. Previous entrants may enter the competition. However, previous category winners may not enter the same business for three consecutive years, but may enter with a new or different business idea or business.
14. I confirm that any and all intellectual property which forms part of my/our business and my/our entry, is the property of the entering business and/or its owners and directors, or that any third-party intellectual property used in our business or entry is used with the permission of the owners thereof, and in this regard we indemnify the organisers and the Western Cape Government against any claim from any third party in relation to the unauthorised use of any intellectual property.
15. All competition prizes are non-negotiable.
16. In view of the fact that business models, plans, processes and performance are dynamic and subjective, no correspondence will be entered into with regard to the adjudicators’ comments, and the adjudicators will not be identified individually.
17. I warrant that I am authorised to represent the business or entity being entered. I understand, accept and agree to abide by the rules, terms and conditions of the Western Cape Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards, on behalf of myself and the business I represent.
By registering on this website, and entering the competition, you accept and agree to abide by these rules.