WCERA 2021: Celebrating the Western Cape’s entrepreneurial excellence

The Western Cape Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards (WCERA) took place as a hybrid virtual event at FNB Conference Centre, Portside on 25 November 2021, during which twelve inspiring entrepreneurs were recognised for their hard-work and resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic, with Nigel Jacobs from Jacobs Jam Company winning the title of “Entrepreneur of the Year 2021”.

Jacobs Jam Company was established in 2018 and is located in Ceres. The business manufacturers a variety of delicious jams and started commercial production in November 2020. Products are packed in-house, using processing technology and applying internationally recognized food safety and quality standards. The business currently employs 7 people and the factory has the capacity to employ 30 people as well as seasonal workers. Jacobs Jam is sold in more than 300 stores in the Western Cape. This emerging business is a prime example of how perseverance and dedication are vital elements of successful businesses.

Now in its ninth year, the Western Cape Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards (WCERA) celebrates the hard work of entrepreneurs and their contribution to job creation and economic growth in the Western Cape.  Wining businesses were also awarded with prize money and sponsored business support services that will aid them in expanding their business, creating more jobs and growing the Western Cape economy.

In his key note address Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, said of the resilience of Western Cape businesses, “we have heard wonderful stories of innovation and resilience in the business sector. We have also heard heartbreaking stories of businesses that have closed, and of business owners who have sacrificed their life savings just to keep their businesses going and their staff employed.”

“Which is why we have our WCERA awards, to celebrate the province’s most deserving, most inspiring, high-potential entrepreneurs here tonight. Our entrepreneurs are a vital component of not only economic recovery, but also for the period beyond – given the quality of entrepreneurs we have here in the Western Cape, and that makes me optimistic that we will properly reopen and recover the economy of the Western Cape.”

Source: Government of South Africa