MAKHADO - Entries for the 2003 Bright Sparks Soutpansberg Entrepreneurs Competition virtually streamed in this year, with a record number of entries of around 1 400. The best 30 entrants will receive free entrepreneurial training by Professor Jan Pretorius of the University of the North.

In 2001, there were 63 entries for the competition, and in 2002 the number of entries increased to 226. "The fact that we have 1 400 entries this year shows that 'the penny has dropped'. Our youth are interested and we should continue to host this competition annually," Ms Jana Smith, Chairperson of the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce said. "Another extra feature is that we shall invite the thirty best entrants to receive free training by Prof Pretorius." The training session will take place on Thursday, October 2. Other interested entrepreneurs, however, are also welcome to attend the training at a fee of R50. There is already an indication that the standard of the entries has increased dramatically. The Soutpansberg Entrepreneurs week takes place from October 2 to 4 and is organised by the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce. The focal point of the Entrepreneursweek is the competition, which is aimed at empowering the youth to have a mindset of entrepreneurial thinking. The Chamber has realised that the escalating number of children leaving school with little chance of finding work is a harsh fact of life, as is the correlation between unemployment figures and crime statistics. "Our district is currently educating 95 000 matriculants in the year 2003, who will soon have to enter the job market and compete with school leavers throughout the country for an ever diminishing number of jobs," said Ms Inga Gilfillan, marketing manager of the Bright Sparks Entrepreneurs Week. A primary concern of the Chamber of Commerce is the lack of skills present in the youth to think in an entrepreneurial way. The entrepreneurs week is a positive step towards the upliftment of the region, by instilling a mindset of business and tourism and encouraging the youth and businessmen alike to become job creators and not job seekers. "We have created a platform through which we can equip our youth with the tools to develop their entrepreneurial and managerial skills," said Ms Gilfillan. The participants in the competition compete in three categories, namely primary school learners, secondary school learners and youths between 19 and 23 years. The competitors entered their business plans, including an income and expenditure statement and photos of the product or services rendered. A fictitious business, properly motivated and well researched, could also be submitted. Members of the local Rotary International Club will act as judges for the competition. The judges evaluate the business plans in terms of their viability and profitability. The overall winner will receive a cash prize of R3 000, while the second and third prizes will be R2 000 and R1 000 respectively. The school with the most entries in relation to their number of learners, will receive R10 000. Quality will also play a role in this category. The names of the winners will be announced during the Soutpansberg Chamber of Commerce's Gala Evening on October 4 at the Mountain View Hotel. Interested persons who want to attend the training session of Prof Pretorius can contact Jana at (015) 516 1526 before September 26.