Winners of South Africa's Step Up 2 a Start Up II named

3 December 2015The top three winning teams from around the country from the Step Up 2 a Start
Up II initiative were announced on 1 December at a glamorous awards evening in Joburg.Taking the
top spot: Ribane Laka High School, Gauteng
Business: Fash-Tag new age name-tags, an instrument to break down communication barriers
Team members: Anna Mathiba Machaka and Precious MasetlaIn second place:Masibambane
Secondary, Western Cape
Business: Ketcha-Fire a product to be installed in townships to prevent fires
Team members: Ennieter Ndlovu, Sindiswa Eleki, Phumeza XuzaIn third place: Leap Science &
Maths School, Gauteng
Business: Witraco a mobile application that connects commuters and taxi drivers
Team members: Lerato Ranamane and Omphile SenkweteFirst awards of the evening presented by
Vivian William of Regenesys Business School. #StepUp2AStartUp pic.twitter.com/0dHylK1fW5
Brand South Africa (@Brand_SA) December 1, 2015In the competition, the students had to adhere to
the credo: "Design it, make it, sell it."Facilitated by PrimeStars Marketing and endorsed by Proudly
South African, the Step Up 2 a Start Up II initiative celebrates youth entrepreneurship. It is
sponsored by the National Youth Development Agency, Brand South Africa, Absa, MTN, Sasol,
Putco, and others.#StepUp2StartUp is about #BuildingIdeas #BuildingDreams @PrimestarsMarke
@3M pic.twitter.com/Gr7MvSjpHR
Brand South Africa (@Brand_SA) December 1, 2015 "The Step Up 2 a Start Up programme aligns
perfectly with Brand South Africa's Play Your Part initiative, as it encourages young people to
contribute to community development through entrepreneurship," explained Sithembile Ntombela,
Brand South Africa's general manager for marketing."Programmes such as Step Up 2 a Start Up
ensure that young people can play their part in achieving the goals of the National Development
Plan (NDP), which envisages a socio-economically transformed South Africa."Young South Africans
armed with education, skills and motivation, facilitated by programmes such as Step Up 2 a Start
Up, will be critical to the success of the NDP. By playing their part, the youth contribute to a better
South Africa for all," said Ntombela.The processThe competition consisted of three phases, and
students began developing their business skills in August:The production and screening of an
educational film; Learners receiving an Entrepreneurs and Makers Tool Kit; A National Maker
Competition, Makers Boot Camp and finally, the Awards Ceremony.See what the students had to say
about it:[embedded content]The awardsMartin Sweet, the managing director of Primestars
Marketing, congratulated the successful teams on the night."I don't think there has been another
event this year with so many sponsors," he said. "Today I take my hat off to the Step Up 2 a Start Up
finalists who are here with their educators from the far reaches of the country."Sweet hoped the
process would be the start of a journey for learners to ignite their entrepreneurial passions and hone
their business skills.Deputy Minister in the Presidency Buthi Manamela and Small Business
Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu delivered key note addresses on the night. Their message was
clear: South Africa needed more job creators instead of job seekers.Minister of Small and Medium
Enterprises Lindiwe Zulu has given our guests of honour some important words of wisdom.

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Brand South Africa (@Brand_SA) December 1, 2015Musicians such as Khanyo, Sipho "Hotstix"
Mabuse, Diversity, and The Gudfella entertained the audience.SouthAfrica.info reporter
http://www.southafrica.info/services/education/winners-step-up-031215.htm