Nine provincial Eteya winners announced

SOUTH African Tourism announced the names of the nine provincial Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Eteya) 2002 finalists at its World Tourism Day celebrations held at the Pilanesberg National Park's Bagatla Gate in the North West Province on Friday (September 27). The nine winners are as follows: Eastern Cape: Chwayita Mboni, Mbokodo Craft Centre Free State: Buyelwa Khethelo, Rhythm & Blues Gauteng: Sheila Sekhitla, The View Guest House KwaZulu Natal: Siza Hadebe, Olwandle Guest House Limpopo: Berry Ramunenyiwa, Vevisa Mpumalanga: Robert Nkuna, Ebutsini 4x4 Route Northern Cape: Tshono Leather Craft and Tannery company; Tshono Leather, a joint-venture by 14 women North West: Jairus Marobe, Magic Touch Tours* Western Cape: Monica Mahloane, Lelapa Restaurant As part of their prize, the finalists will set off for London in November, where they will have the opportunity - as part of the South African Tourism exhibit - to showcase their products to a worldwide audience at the World Travel Market. The final round of judging will take place during this event. The overall winner will receive a commemorative plaque and a grand cash prize of R30 000 to invest in his or her business. The number of entries for this year's competition almost tripled those of last year's inaugural event, with over 127 entry forms being submitted compared to the 51 entries received in 2001. Eteya entry is open to emerging entrepreneurs managing tourism- or hospitality-related businesses and is restricted to those that have been operating for less than three years and that employ less than 50 people. Annual turnover must not exceed R3m. * It is interesting to note that the North West finalist, in keeping up what appears to be becoming something of a family tradition, is the cousin of last year's overall winner, Bernard Marobe. (Adéle Mackenzie)