Hout Bay entrepreneur, Naydia Nangamso Booi, walked away with tens of thousands of rand worth of equipment when she won a youth entrepreneurship competition.
It was hosted by the Youth Entrepreneurship Network South Africa (YENSA), and was aimed at disadvantaged youth running small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME), partnerships, or co-operatives.
Businesses that entered operated in information and communication technology (ITC), manufacturing, engineering, construction, maritime, tourism and hospitality and retail sectors, with the top 100 entries going through elimination rounds before a winner was chosen.
Ms Booi’s winning business idea, Kayo Organics, was formally registered in 2020, but had been percolating in the back of her head for five years.
“I grew up with skin and scalp sensitivity, with eczema and psoriasis, so as a child I had to start using organic products and I was fortunate to have the access because my mom worked in a pharmacy,” she said.
“And so, over the years I watched as some of my peers and people within my community who struggled with similar issues, couldn’t really afford the alternative lifestyle because it’s pricier than what most people are accustomed to,” Ms Booi said.
She referred to herself as somewhat of a “tree-hugger” as she remains passionate about preserving the environment.
“It’s very important that I create organic products that are good for the body, but also run a business that is earth-friendly,” she said.
“At the core of Kayo Organics, I try my best to educate myself and others about alternative lifestyles that are nature-friendly.
“We often treat Mother Earth as if we’ve got another one waiting for us once we’ve destroyed this one. And as a mother, I try my best to instil the same values in my children so that from a young age they can teach and influence those around them, because the onus is on us to do what we can where we are,” Ms Booi said.
Her products include raw sea moss, sea moss gel, unrefined Grade A shea butter, 3-in-1 hair butter, and a scalp balm made with shea butter and essential oils, among others.
“Thus far, it has been trial and error, but I am enjoying the process. At this stage we’re still working on blends that work, and blends that we feel strongly about putting out into the market,” Ms Booi said.
She first became interested in the competition after reading about it in the Sentinel News earlier this year.
“I saw an article about the competition in the Sentinel Newspaper, and I knew I had to apply because, in between my 9-5, my business needed a boost, so I applied. I filled in my application and submitted as soon as I could. The competition due date was extended, and the Yensa team gave all applicants the opportunity to review their submissions, and when they sent me the email, I reviewed my application,” she said.
“I honestly believe, without reviewing my application and faith, I wouldn’t have won the competition.”
Yensa, an organisation based in Hout Bay which is managed by volunteers, promotes youth entrepreneurship in the Cape Town metro.
Yensa chairperson Florence Hendricks said they remain “hopeful” when youth such as Ms Booi start businesses.
“Opportunities such as the competition are made possible for them to enter. Youth in business or those youth wanting to start businesses in historically disadvantaged areas should use competition platforms to expose their businesses or business ideas,” she said.
“We wish Naydia Nangamso Booi all the best going forward and others should see her as an aspiration to achieve business success.”
Ms Hendricks added that Yensa was currently working with the National Youth Development Agency to conduct entrepreneurship training with Hout Bay youth and also helping them to apply for business funding in the form of a R10 000 grant.
Former MPL for Hout Bay, Khalid Sayed, who worked with Yensa on the 2022 competition, said such initiatives played “a key role in bringing hope to vulnerable communities”.
“Let me first commend the leadership of Yensa for this brilliant idea that was open to women and youth from across Cape Town. The future for her looks bright, my hope is that her business will grow and in so doing create more jobs for the people of Hout Bay,” Mr Sayed said.
Ms Booi thanked Yensa and all involved, saying: “I was truly overjoyed about winning the competition. It’s not only about the funding, but it’s also because the judging panel believe in my vision and wanted to support it. That meant the most to me – it confirmed that having a vision and working smart to achieve it, being committed and having a considerable amount of crazy faith, the possibilities are endless.”
Those between 18 to 35 years who are in business or want to go into business, can attend a training course by sending their send name, surname, address and contact numbers to 076 275 1028.
