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Ö÷²¥´óÐã Swahili has named six finalists of the Faidika na Ö÷²¥´óÐã (Prosper with the Ö÷²¥´óÐã) young entrepreneur competition.

Aspiring business people who have won the country heats in Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda will compete in a live broadcast in Mombasa, Kenya on Thursday 13 August.

Ciza Bone, from Burundi; Nyota Kikukama Angelique, from DRC; Jane Mueni, from Kenya; Hakizimana Aladin, from Rwanda; Mbarak Juma, from Tanzania; and Gakuo Roy, from Uganda have each demonstrated innovative ideas on how to start, with US $5,000, a successful business that will have a positive impact on their community.

They have been selected from more than 10,000 young entrants from Swahili-speaking territories (a record for the competition), each of whom submitted their proposals for the contest.

Ciza Bone is optimistic: "I think good luck is coming my way."

Nyota Kikukama Angelique is sure of winning the final: "To me the finals will be a walk in the park."

Jane Mueni is full of confidence, too: "Wow, Faidika is coming home."

However, Mbarak Juma doesn't take competition so lightly: "Walk in the park? What a joke."

Gakuo Roy, too, anticipates a tough contest: "This is just the beginning."

The emotions of all the finalists of Faidika na Ö÷²¥´óÐã 2009 are best summed by Hakizimana Aladin, who said: "I'm ecstatic."

The Faidika na Ö÷²¥´óÐã project manager, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Swahili producer, Salim Kikeke, says: "There's so much enthusiasm, we'll surely see fireworks at the finals in Mombasa."

The winner will be awarded the Faidika na Ö÷²¥´óÐã trophy and receive US$5,000 to help realise his or her business idea.

Notes to Editors

Ö÷²¥´óÐã Swahili is a multimedia broadcaster providing radio and online content to Swahili-speaking audiences.

Ö÷²¥´óÐã Swahili is available on Ö÷²¥´óÐã FM stations and/or partner radio networks in Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

Programmes are also available via the website, bbcswahili.com, which offers up-to-the minute news, features and analysis on East Africa and the rest of the world.

Ö÷²¥´óÐã World Service is an international multimedia broadcaster delivering 32 language and regional services.

It uses multiple platforms to reach 182 million listeners globally, including shortwave, AM, FM, digital satellite and cable channels.

It has around 2,000 partner radio stations which take Ö÷²¥´óÐã content, and numerous partnerships supplying content to mobile phones and other wireless handheld devices.

Its news sites include audio and video content and offer opportunities to join the global debate. For more information, visit bbcworldservice.com.

Ö÷²¥´óÐã World Service International Publicity