Raymond Makwakwa
Youth in Business & Entrepreneurship
Nominee's Province:
Limpopo
Age:
28
Project Name/Description:
Co-Founder – Dekwakwas (Pty) Ltd
Raymond Makwakwa’s company, Dekwakwas, produces fruit beverage wines using Valencia orange fruit juice. The wines come in the three flavours of natural orange, minty orange and French oak. Makwakwa considers himself a born leader who has yet to shake the entrepreneurial world with his acumen. “I am currently an active member of the South African Brics Youth Association and the Youth Alliance for Leadership and Development in Africa,” he says. He adds that what drives his passion for the beverages industry is the fact that there are only a few black fruit beverage manufacturers in the country, as well as the gap between small and large-scale businesses when it comes to compliance. “I have won the best business plan award with the University of Limpopo, the 2nd place award winner for Social Impact with SAB (UL), and made it to the top ten finalists for the World End Poverty Innovation Challenge (USA). I also made it to the final round in the Manufacturing Founder of the Year category,” he shares. Makwakwa is of the view that young entrepreneurs have been one of the pillars of our democracy, and should be capacitated for greater growth. “They provide new perspectives and a willingness to take chances - all qualities that are critical to a flourishing economy. Increasing access to capital and mentorship, encouraging cooperation between young entrepreneurs and well-established companies, and offering focused assistance to industries with significant development and employment potential are some ways to increase their influence.”
