KOPANO MONAHENG
Most people would agree that the future of Mzansi is in the hands of young people.
This was evident when five young business owners from across the country won big prizes in Durban on Wednesday, 27 August.
The 2025 Standard Bank Kasi SME National Challenge in partnership with the South African Future Trust (SAFT) announced the winners.
Cloudy Deliveries from the Western Cape took the 1st prize of R200, 000
A township-based delivery service using bicycles to connect restaurants, supermarkets, and local businesses with customers, while also distributing promotional materials for community enterprises.
Xola Maqasho
Ukuhamba from Gauteng came in second place winning R100, 000. While Keiskamma Hygiene Services and Projects from the Western Cape took the third place of R80, 000
Both KZN businesses Ariel Robotics and the Sky Drop took the fourth and fifth places walking away with the amounts of 50 000 and R70 000 respectively.
Over 800 businesses submitted their entries for this year’s competition and only 18 of them were shortlisted.
In recognition of their achievement, all 18 finalists also received free SimplyBLU machines, the bank’s all-in-one payment solution for SMEs, to help them digitise and scale their businesses.
Naledzani Mosomane, head of enterprise and supplier development for business & commercial banking at Standard Bank, said they are willing to go the extra mile to help young people grow their businesses and create more jobs for people.
The finalists will each receive a complimentary ticket to the South African Future Trust (SAFT) Summit on 5 and 6 November, where they will also have access to a dedicated pitch den to showcase their businesses to potential investors.
The challenge, according to Naledzani aims to provide financial and non-financial support to black-owned SMEs.
The competition focuses on businesses that are at least 51% black-owned, have strong growth potential, and typically operate with an annual turnover of under R50 million.
Lusapho Njinge, of Keiskamma Hygiene Services and Projects, was happy to be among the winners.
“My dream is now to expand my business. Get more machinery and hire new staff,” concluded Lusapho.
