Two Byo contestants out of MOB

Thamsanqa Bhala Ndlovu (20) was eliminated last week while Ngonidzashe Mudzimu was excused on compassionate grounds.

The other contestant that is carrying the hopes of Bulawayo Province with Mahlangu is Knowledge Nyenyayi. The 15 contestants have been divided into two groups for their first task.

In a statement, MOB head of public relations Farirai Macheka said contestants this week were given $500 seed money.

She said the seed money was to be used for a Buy Zimbabwe Merchandising task and contestants were supposed to use the seed money to break even at $5 000.

“Thamsanqa Bhala Ndlovu and Ngonidzashe Mudzimu from Bulawayo have been eliminated and Sandisiwe Mahlangu is still in the competition and leading this week’s task. Knowledge Nyenyayi is the other contestant from Bulawayo who has remained in the show. The contestants have been given $500 as seed money to jump-start their task and are expected to break even with an amount of $5 000,” said Macheka.

She said the remaining 15 have been divided into two groups — male and female, with their mentor being financial mogul Nigel Chanakira.

“MOB contestants have been broken into two groups to form two companies —Alkandros for the men and Explosive for the women. Chief mentor Mr Nigel Chanakira assigned the groups to carry out a Buy Zimbabwe Merchandising task. Sindisiwe Mahlangu from Bulawayo is leading the women’s group this week,” said Macheka.

She said women could make an impact in business and there was a need to support them with such initiatives. “Sindisiwe, the leader of the Explosives said it was a perfect platform for women to make an impact in business and make great strides through hard work and working as a team,” said Macheka.

The MOB chief executive officer Munyaradzi Hwengwere said the top 15 were selected on the basis of key entrepreneurial skills.

“We put the 20 contestants through an intensive two- week training programme which was designed to equip them with the necessary mental, spiritual and physical equilibrium as they venture into the world of entrepreneurship. “This effectively means that even the contestants who have left the show have been prepared for the entrepreneurial world and for those that exhibit potential even outside the framework show, My Own Boss will continue to work with them.

“The focus of the show is to build sustainable business ideas that respond to Zimbabwe’s economic climate,” said Hwengwere.