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Cape Town - Western Cape Premier Helen Zille and Minister of Economic Opportunities in the Western Cape Alan Winde will launch the Premier’s Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards (Pera) on July 18.
Now in its fourth year, the Pera rewards excellence among Western Cape entrepreneurs. It is an initiative of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
Last year, over 300 businesses entered the awards. The winners shared R1.8m in prize money, with the overall winner also receiving an overseas trip.
According to Winde, it is important to celebrate residents who are taking the economy forward.
“Our entrepreneurs are the heroes of our economy, creating growth and jobs as a result of their innovations and hard work. In the Western Cape, entrepreneurs employ over 500 000 people, helping us to be South Africa’s region with the fastest growing employment statistics," said Winde.
"Government’s job is to support our existing entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, and to motivate aspiring entrepreneurs to start businesses. The success stories highlighted through these awards show others what is possible."
He said in the past seven years the provincial government has given 36 159 entrepreneurs the tools they need to start a business.
Last year, Stuart Forrest, of Bergvliet-based Triggerfish Animation, took the top award.
“We won the top TV prize at the biggest festival in the world. It was very good to be there to be able to meet with potential partners, distributors, and broadcasters, amongst others, and we expect a lot of new business to come from it," said Forrest.
"Secondly, through the mentorship program I’ve been introduced to some new funding possibilities for our next film, so that is already beginning to pay off although we’ve just had our first session."
He said the awards all contribute to morale at the office.
"We currently have around 90 people working for us and the team work under enormous pressure, so these types of wins are very important as they give the team encouragement to keep pushing through,” said Forrest.
