Meet Sooveir Rajkumar the enterprising butcher who has created the first commercial prawn burger in South Africa and who is now one of the country’s top new entrepreneurs.

The enterprising Kwa-Zulu Natal businessman was named SAB KickStarter of the Year and won a grand prize of R200 000 at the annual SAB KickStart Awards which took  place in Johannesburg on Tuesday (subs October 20).

The 35-year-old – who did his training at Cedara – worked for the Land Bank where he was the first person of colour to hold a position as an agricultural land valuator. It was while working later in Zambia at a meat processing plant that he found his true calling. He attended a number of courses and mastered the art of making various cold meat and ground meat products.

He returned to South Africa at the end of 2004 to pursue his goal to set up his own meat processing plant. His focus was to develop a line of healthy burger patties of the highest quality that are also Halaal.

“I wanted something on the market that was different. I love shellfish and realised that there were no prawn patties on the market so I began experimenting at home with a food processor until I had what I believe is the perfect, slightly spiced prawn patty that we produce. When all my family and friends raved about it, I knew that I had a winner.”

As well as the prawn patty he also sells un-crumbed chicken patties which are sold under the brand The Boastful Butcher. The lunch-munch range is an innovative shape of patty that “fits” better on a sandwich. His most recent development is an un-crumbed fish patty, which is once again low in fat and carbohydrates.

Says Rajkumar: “I firmly believe in minimal processing and the adding of bulking products such as water and fats. All products are made from meat cutlets/fillets and do not contain MDM (mechanically de-boned meat) or cereal. I went into the business believing that consumers are willing to pay a bit more for a quality product that doesn’t compromise on taste or health even though it is a convenience food.”

Rajkumar – who now employs five people – used his initial SAB KickStart seed capital of R80 000 to buy machinery to enable him to produce on a larger scale. His turnover has increased dramatically since he underwent the KickStart programme skyrocketing from R20 000 a month to R100 000 since he is able to sell his product through Kwa-Zulu Natal branches of Spar and Checkers. He is hoping to expand to Pick ‘n’ Pay as well as selling the product nationally. With the FIFA World Cup next year, marketing efforts are geared towards selling to all establishments that will host fans.

 “You need to do a lot of homework before you go into business. You need to look at the long-term picture and prepare for a lot of sacrifice. This business is about creating a brand. A brand doesn’t catch on easily and it takes times to build it. The return on investment takes longer but the rewards are better in the long term,” he says.

Second prize of R150 000 went to the entrepreneurial brothers Lonwabo and Luvuyo Rani of Silulo Ulutho Technologies in Khayelitsha in Cape Town. Silulo Ulutho - which means “bringing value” - provides computer access, training, sales and repairs at seven centres and Internet cafes situated in the underserviced markets of Khayelitsha and Gugulethu. The brothers – who see themselves as social entrepreneurs in terms of their impact on society, as well as businessmen, who do not lose focus on profit and return - currently employ a staff of 26 and train more than 340 students a month. They plan to franchise their operation around the country.

Soweto’s Reggie Makhetha and his Roots Restaurant & Gallery clinched third prize and R100 000 in the Business of the Year category. Across the road from Isaac Morrison High School and a stone’s throw from the Hector Peterson memorial, Roots is the first place in Soweto to combine a dining destination with an art gallery. Makhetha epitomises the new breed of Sowetan entrepreneur whose business acumen and flair with food is helping change the culinary landscape of the township.

Three awards were made in the development category. Thirty-three-year old Thohoyando’s Tshepo Makhavu of Mabunga Toilets walked away with first prize of
R150 000 for helping uplift people living in rural Thohoyando by providing them with innovative, cost effective and durable sanitation, by building stand-alone concrete toilets, which he also designed.

Second prize of R90 000 went to Tebogo Mashego (27); a woman at home in what is traditionally a man’s world. She runs the manufacturing concern Diep K Steel & Aluminium in Booysens, Gauteng. Third prize of R60 000 went to Vusi Sibisi of Soweto’s Vuma Tech Engineering who  repairs compressors, lift motors, small electrical motors and generators.