G(r)o(w)ing for gold

The phase 3 students at Living Hope Harvest Training Initiative are given the use of a polytunnel and also given a small loan to start them off on a tomato growing business.  At the moment, we only have one phase 3 student, but what a guy he is!  Langa has grown in confidence, grown spiritually and grown in his love for the Lord.  When he leads morning devotions, his passion for God’s word and for living God’s way are so evident.  The other students look up to him as a great example and he both inspires and encourages them.  Today, that inspiration and encouragement reached new levels…

A few weeks ago, Langa came and asked me for a little IT help in putting together his presentation for an entrepreneurship competition he was entering, organised by the local further education college and sponsored by a number of organisations.  He and I worked on this together and he emailed it off.  Over 100 young budding entrepreneurs entered the contest and Langa made it to the final 15.  Today, he invited us and two of the other lecturers from the HTI to join him at the final stage where the finalists would be able to meet the judges and tell them about their business proposals before the final six contestants would pitch, Dragon’s Den style, for the cash prizes on offer.

An early start saw us heading into Masiphumelele to fetch Langa, neatly bypassing the guys butchering a sheep on the side of the road.  The college building was a striking contrast, with marble floors and a very upmarket banqueting suite (not to mention a rather yummy breakfast waiting for us).  Langa and his tomatoes, with a plateful chopped up for tasting, faced the onslaught of questions from college staff, families and friends of other contestants and of course… the judges.  The standard of the entries was impressive with some very interesting and innovative ideas ranging from panel beating through to a language translation app.  It was such a positive sight to see so many young people with viable business ideas, putting their heart and soul into trying to create small businesses.

After the judges had finished visiting all the stands, it was time for lunch while they deliberated.  Then came the nail-biting stuff as they announced (in no particular order) the final six, who would then have to present a three minute pitch about their business.  I was so glad I didn’t have to make that decision – I would have put at least 12 of them through!  Langa’s name was the last to be called and he was the last to pitch.  He was confident and showed clearly that he knows his business and knows his financial plan.  Then came the nerve-racking moments as they announced the two bronze prize winners, who took home R5000 each, the three silver prize winners, who claimed R10000 each and finally, the gold prize winner who would receive R15000 to invest in his business.  That lovely lunch was being tossed around by all the butterflies in my stomach by this stage!  As each name was read, the tension mounted until finally there was only one finalist left and only the gold prize winner to be announced… and even those of us who aren’t great at maths could work out that Langa and his tomatoes had won the day.  Judging by the reactions of a number of the college staff and course managers, this was a hugely popular choice – which is very gracious of them since he is not a graduate of their business programme but of Living Hope’s!  It was a really emotional moment to see this fine young man receive such wonderful recognition of his ability and hard work.

And on arrival back at Living Hope, he was given a hero’s welcome before heading back to his tunnel and his plants.  But not before being presented with a bouquet – HTI style – made up from weeds and spinach…