20 Entrepreneurs Selected for eThekwini Growth Programme

Chairperson of eThekwini Municipality’s Economic Development and Planning Committee, Thembo Ntuli, described the initiative as an important investment in the future of local businesses and communities.

Twenty promising entrepreneurs from across eThekwini have been selected to participate in the Project 10X Unicorn Programme, a business development initiative designed to help emerging enterprises scale up and become more competitive in the marketplace. The successful participants were chosen from a pool of more than 200 applicants and were officially introduced during a launch event held at KZN Oils in Briardene, north of Durban, on Friday.

The programme is a collaborative effort involving eThekwini Municipality, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), KZN Oils and the RR Foundation. Through this partnership, selected entrepreneurs will receive support aimed at strengthening their businesses and preparing them for long-term growth. Over the next 10 months, participants will take part in an enterprise and supplier development programme that includes mentorship, incubation support, business training and financial assistance.

Programme Focuses on Job Creation and Economic Inclusion

Chairperson of eThekwini Municipality's Economic Development and Planning Committee, Thembo Ntuli, described the initiative as an important investment in the future of local businesses and communities. He said the programme is designed to help entrepreneurs move beyond the startup stage and become active contributors to the mainstream economy. According to Ntuli, supporting high-potential businesses can generate employment opportunities, reduce poverty and contribute to broader economic development within the region. The initiative seeks to connect entrepreneurs with experienced mentors, industry expertise and market opportunities that may otherwise be difficult to access. Organisers believe that providing practical support and guidance can help businesses overcome common growth challenges and improve their chances of long-term success.

KZN Oils Chief Executive Officer Esay Reddy emphasized that entrepreneurship has a far-reaching impact that extends beyond individual business owners. She noted that successful enterprises often create opportunities that benefit families and entire communities. Drawing on her own experience of building KZN Oils over more than two decades, Reddy encouraged participants to remain determined and patient throughout their entrepreneurial journeys.

Entrepreneurs Look Forward to New Opportunities

Among the selected entrepreneurs is Nozipho Memela, founder of Dimeri AI, a company that develops governance, risk, compliance and audit software solutions. She described her selection as a major achievement and an important step in her business journey.

Memela said being chosen from hundreds of applicants reflects the potential of her business and provides access to valuable opportunities for learning and professional growth. She expressed confidence that the programme's mentorship and industry support would help strengthen her company and position it for sustainable success.

The Project 10X Unicorn Programme builds on the achievements of its first cohort, launched in 2025. Organisers reported that participants in the inaugural programme recorded improvements in areas such as business compliance, financial literacy, operational efficiency and market readiness.

The continued expansion of the initiative highlights growing efforts by public and private sector partners to support small businesses, encourage innovation and create pathways for entrepreneurship-led economic growth in KwaZulu-Natal.