MBABANE, SWAZILAND, DECEMBER 14, 2006 — TechnoServe, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and local award co-sponsors honored six Believe Begin Become 2006 winners at the Royal Swazi Convention Centre on the evening of Thursday December 14. The event was attended by the Deputy Prime Minister as well as the Minister of Tourism, Environment and Communications.

Phila Msibi went home with E150 000 worth of seed capital. Five category winners each were awarded seed capital worth E75 000. Bongani Dlamini won in the best agribusiness category while Miliswa Mamba won for the best tourism venture. Sipho Kunene's concept was chosen for the best import substitution project and Richard Bishop won for the best export category. The prize for the most innovative concept was awarded to Thulani Mtshali.

Standard Bank Swaziland co-sponsored the final awards ceremony by donating E30 000 in cash. About 350 people, who endorse the entrepreneurship development program as an important catalyst to better access to financing, small and medium enterprise growth and economic advancement in Swaziland, attended.

The major sponsor, USAID was represented by Lawrence Johnson who is Trade Advisor for USAID in Southern Africa. He said, "Through the Believe Begin Become event we help some of those entrepreneurs on the first stages of their journey to building wealth and jobs as well as their progression towards leadership and transformation of their economy and country."

Since graduating from the core program in late October, twenty Believe Begin Become finalists have been working diligently to improve their plans and prepare for the final test. On November 27th they submitted their refined business plans and by the 5th of December they had all defended their plans before a panel of judges.

These twenty finalists had completed a rigorous five-week training programme. This period included time with a professional consultant in order to develop business plans to compete for the seed capital and technical assistance awards. Each of the twenty finalists, including the winners, will receive an 'aftercare' voucher in the form of business development services worth E30 000.

Believe Begin Become Organising Committee (OC) was comprised of high profile business people in the country. Tum du Pont, a member of the OC said, "The concept of seed capital is the best and the fact that the participants are educated is commendable. It shows that you are walking with the entrepreneur and not just expecting them to understand business."

Commenting on behalf of the US Embassy in Mbabane Lynn Allison, Charge' d' Affaires said, "The U.S. Embassy offers its sincere congratulations to all of the finalists, and encourages them to take full advantage of the training they have received and of their 'aftercare' voucher to find ways to launch and build their businesses. They have already 'believed.' Now they have an excellent opportunity to begin their businesses and become the entrepreneurs who will help build the economy of Swaziland."

Believe Begin Become will be carried out for five years in the country to identify and launch new, sustainable businesses. TechnoServe Swaziland Country Director Leslie Johnston added, "TechnoServe is proud to have helped encourage this group of Swaziland's newest entrepreneurs. They are committed. They are innovative. And they are hard-working. These are the individuals who we believe will create new jobs for the Swazi people, bring new tax revenues to government, and contribute to the growth of this nation. We believe in this group of 20. And they believe in themselves. Congratulations to all!"

About TechnoServe: TechnoServe helps entrepreneurial men and women in poor rural areas of the developing world to build businesses that create income, opportunity and economic growth for their families, their communities and their countries. Since its founding in 1968, it has helped to create or improve more than 2,000 businesses, benefiting millions of people in 32 countries. TechnoServe was recognized as one of the world's "Outstanding Social Entrepreneurs" by the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.

For more information, please contact:
Leslie Johnston, Country Director, TechnoServe/Swaziland, Tel: +268 635 78 23: Email: leslie@technoserve.org.sz

Luba Vangelova, Director of Marketing Communications, TechnoServe Tel: 202-719-1302; email: LVangelova@technoserve.org