Bank Windhoek 2015 BizzKids winners crowned

This past weekend saw the crowning of Bank Windhoek’s 2015 BizzKids Competition Award, as the commercial lender continued its annual initiative to promote entrepreneurship among the youth. This year’s overall winner was 15-year-old Danie van der Merwe from the Windhoek Afrikaanse Privaatskool (WAP), whose ‘Nou Gaan Braai Ons’ business impressed the judges most. Van der Merwe walked away with prize money of N$5 000 for himself and another N$5 000 for his school, as the judges hailed the Windhoek teenager’s business acumen and sales technique. The youngster’s initiative saw him sell handmade braai packs, comprised of a 2kg bag of charcoal, a packet of matches and one packet of his favourite mixed spices, at the Bank Windhoek BizzKids Market, which took place on Friday between 14h00 and 18h00. “Choosing the top three winners was not an easy task, as all the BizzKids put in a lot of effort to provide the best quality products and services to their customers,” Bank Windhoek’s ESME branch manager Mbo Luvindao said after the event. “However the judges were very impressed by the innovative ‘braai pack’ idea from Danie van der Merwe, who not only made and sold something very different from the rest of the finalists, but also had a fantastic sales pitch, which attracted many customers that bought his product,” Luvindao said. The runner-up award, together with prize money of N$3 000, went to the team of ‘Fourth Harmony’ from Augeikhas Primary School, also in Windhoek. The team, comprised of Elizabeth Itumba (14), Adelheid Slinger (13), Tatiana Cecilio (13) and Vivalda Cecilio (14), charmed market goers by making and selling cupcakes, corn dogs, toffee apples and fudge, while also offering entertainment and photo opportunities with their stall mascot, Winnie the Pooh. The third place prize money of N$2 000 was awarded to the team of ‘The Beach Mocho – Tini’s’, from Pro-Ed Academy in Swakopmund. Made up of four young entrepreneurs, Adri van der Merwe (13), Karin Schutz (14), Mariet Bruwer (13) and Mayvonne Swart (13), the Hawaii beach-themed stall sold colourful ‘mocktails’, complete with bright colours and glass ornaments. STAFF REPORTER