Article by Devotha John
The Citizen (Sunday, 22 May 2011)
Dar es Salaam. A barbershop owner Indrisa Mannah (29) from Kibaha Region was announced the winner of Sh5 million of Ruka Juu na Fema Talk Show entrepreneurship competition, which was run for over two months across the country.
According to public relations advisor, Ms Lilian Nsemwa, the Ruka Juu challenge was the Femina HIP’s first reality based entrepreneurship and financial education competition designed to get people thinking ,talking and acting in building their lives .
She said the Ruka Juu na Fema TV talk show was a response by Femina HIP to inspire over a million youth leaving the school system every year, ready to enter the labour market struggling to get employed.The competition involved six contestants and their businesses, in their communities. They were put through various challenges relating to best practices of running business.
“The winner announced during the live final show was voted for by the public as well as judges,” she said. However, the other five contestants have demonstrated entrepreneurial and leadership skills and they were awarded a Sh500,000 cash prize each.
She named other contestants as Benitha Mwinuka from Njombe Region, Rajabu Mgongwe from Kilindi, Tanga , Saum Pongwe from Tanga, Noel Mbelwa and Mariam Mwape from Ikwiriri Rufiji.
Speaking after he was announced the overall winner on Saturday, Mr Idrissa said the money would help him to build and improve his business. Ruka Juu hit the airwaves and success to reach the hearts and minds of many Tanzania as young entrepreneurs had a chance to compete for the opportunity of their lives.
The shows were sponsored by Financial Sector Deeping Trust (FSDT), Tanzania Media Fund, National Microfinance Bank as well as Sir Ronald Grieson a Private philanthropist from UK among others.
Related links:
- The Citizen newspaper: Barber wins millions in business competition
- Femina HIP
- Femina HIP on YouTube
- Ruka Juu na Fema TV Talk Show
- Financial Sector Deepening Trust
- Tanzania Media Fund
- National Microfinance Bank
From all of us here at Vijana FM, congratulations to the winners!
A barbershop is a fantastic idea to increase fun yet educational interaction between people. I imagine one opening up near the University of Dar-es-Salaam, being completely student operated. The students provide a back-door recording studio in case there are any musical talents waiting to get a hair cut. In addition, the books on the coffee tables are school textbooks, and people converse about stuff learned in school – similar to a “lab” session.
I believe that would be an extremely profitable venture. And I forgot to mention the chai…