Windhoek

Bank Windhoek launched the sixth annual Bank Windhoek Solo BizzKids Competition, an entrepreneurial competition designed to help scholars realise their business ideas, at Holy Cross Convent School in Windhoek last Friday.

The competition, which was established six years ago, is a platform created for scholars across Namibia, between the ages of 8 and 16, to sell and promote their own products and services. The scholars are encouraged to enter the competition and win the opportunity to put their business savvy to the test, during the Bank Windhoek BizzKids Market, scheduled to take place for October 23 and 24, 2015, at Maerua Mall, in Windhoek.   

The Bank Windhoek Solo BizzKids Competition’s main objective is to educate the Namibian youth about entrepreneurship and give the young entrepreneurs an opportunity to enter a competition whereby they can win one of 10 exhibition stands at the Bank Windhoek BizzKids Market.

Last year, Jade Coury (14) and Cassandra Kröning (14), traded as “2 Broke Teens” from Deutsche Höhere Privateschule (DHPS), Windhoek, walked away with prize money of N$5 000 for themselves and N$5 000 for their school. The two entrepreneurs, who impressed the judges with their business acumen and sales techniques, despite their young age, sold handmade Christmas and birthday cards, advent calendars for adults and children, gift boxes and gift vouchers. 

“The Bank Windhoek Solo BizzKids experience was one of the best highlights of our lives and taking part in the Bank Windhoek Solo BizzKids Competition was a great learning experience. It taught us that creating a business takes a lot of work, effort and planning, but in the end all the hard work paid off. We would also like to motivate other children that want to enter the competition, to just put their minds to it. It is fun and the experience is valuable and awesome Thank you Bank Windhoek for the amazing opportunity,” said Jade Coury and Cassandra Kröning.

Speaking at the launch, Hannatjie Steenkamp, Manager: Collateral and Administration at Bank Windhoek ESME Finance Branch, said: “The BizzKids Competition is part of Bank Windhoek’s contribution to the development and growth of Namibia’s economy by creating youth that are willing to take risks and think beyond traditional ways of doing business. It is imperative for Namibia to encourage entrepreneurship among the youth in order to inspire entrepreneurial values at a young age.” Besides the launch, Bank Windhoek will also give presentations at various schools across the country, to provide more information about the competition to the learners. The closing date for entries is September 9, 2015, and the finalists will be announced on September 24, 2015.