The podcast series provides information that is aimed at making an impact and is accessible to even those who won't get to attend the workshops included in the challenge.

The series makes business insights — from leading South African businesspeople — available to all entrepreneurs and business-minded people countrywide. 

The Firstwatch Entrepreneur's Challenge 2021 will give away R50 000 in cash along with business support to one entrepreneur.

From the entries, 160 hand-picked entrepreneurs will join a two-day skills development workshop, which culminates in the top 10 pitching their businesses to the panel for a chance to win the grand prize.

These podcast sessions include topics such as:
  • passion and purpose
  • marketing and sales
  • finance, and
  • leadership and pitching.
The official Firstwatch Entrepreneurs Challenge judges and facilitators that are taking part in the series are:

Musa Kalenga 
A branding expert and speaker, with experience in establishing industry standards, will be conducting research and providing legal support for the online advertising industry.  

In his contribution to the podcast series, Kalenga will be helping viewers understand how entrepreneurs can use technology and digital tools to grow their businesses. He will also offer insight into how they can capitalise on the fourth industrial revolution, with particular reference to the rewards for harnessing digital and technological tools.

Buchule Sibaca
Sibaca is the CEO of digital accounting and tax firm SMTAX, which helps business owners with online business registrations, tax submissions and all accounting related forms. Sibaca will be covering the topic of finance and funding, which can mean the difference between a successful business and one that fails.

Sibaca says, "As an entrepreneur serious about raising capital, one should know how to manage your own money. If you don't know how to manage your own money, you can't be serious about managing someone else's money. That's why a good understanding of finance and business accounting is important." 

Karin Krause Wessels
Wessels is the managing director for Edward Snell & Co., which is the largest independently owned spirits company in South Africa and home of Firstwatch Whisky. Wessels will be sharing a people-centric approach to leadership, as she will be drawing on her leadership experience to:
  • help viewers understand what it takes to be a great business leader
  • focus on how to motivate staff, customers and suppliers
  • show compassion and understanding in the workplace, and 
  • identify some of the key skills needed to lead your business and the people in your sphere of influence.
Individuals are encouraged to watch the podcast series on the Firstwatch Whisky YouTube channel here.

For more information, visit www.firstwatchwhiskey.co.za. You can also follow Firstwatch Whiskey on Instagram.