Recognising Small Business & Entrepreneurial Excellence
It is a celebration of the most outstanding businesses and the exceptional business people behind these successful and growing businesses! It is the springboard to enhanced business success.
The winners of the 2024 South African Small Business Awards have been announced.
The 2024 South African Small Business Awards, now in its 16th year, celebrated South Africa’s top entrepreneurs and small businesses at a gala breakfast hosted by the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC) in Johannesburg on 14 November 2024.
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Ambesha Africa is a South African company that creates sustainable, eco-friendly patio furniture using locally sourced materials while also repairing existing pieces to extend their lifespan. Inspired by Trudy Maleka’s childhood passion for African crafts learned from her grandmother, this journey began in a modest 6-meter container with just two employees, growing into a 500sqm workshop today which supports 72 beneficiaries.
After facing retrenchment, Adam Hunter created Hook, Line & Sinker (HLS) - a dynamic agency that has transformed from a one-person operation in 2016 to a global leader, serving top brands across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North America which include SAP, IBM, and the United Nations. With rapid growth through innovation, resilience, and a focus on digital, HLS has achieved remarkable success, including a 25% year-on-year growth.
Buyi Mafoko leads Matte BLK - an integrated marketing agency dedicated to creating impactful, authentic campaigns for South Africa’s township and rural communities. With key partnerships with big business partners, they’ve doubled growth over two years, impacted millions through financial literacy initiatives, and are on a strong path to achieving their R100m vision by 2030.
Mlungisi Nkosi Maths & Science Centre
The Mlungisi Nkosi Maths & Science Centre began in 2020 as a YouTube channel aimed at bridging educational gaps in underserved communities, offering tutoring in Maths and Science for grades 8-12 and Matric rewrites. Starting with just a pen, paper, and a phone, the center has grown into a full-fledged educational institution, impacting thousands of students. With 250,000 YouTube subscribers, 24 million views, and international recognition, their vision is to expand to all provinces and continue transforming lives through education.
Adbot is an innovative business that empowers companies of all sizes to thrive online with an AI-driven platform that automates ad management for Google and Bing, soon expanding to Facebook. Launched in 2020, Adbot has revolutionised digital ads for small- and medium-sized businesses by making them accessible, affordable, and highly effective. With a track record of three times better ad performance than self-managed campaigns and partnerships with major players, Adbot is set to scale its success internationally helping even more entrepreneurs grow their digital presence.
Golden Rewards 1981 founded by a visionary woman from Port St. John’s has grown into a successful road maintenance and construction company, empowering disadvantaged communities while addressing South Africa’s infrastructure challenges. With 132 employees, many from disadvantaged backgrounds, and initiatives like the ‘Each One Teach One’ program, Golden Rewards 1981 is not just transforming South Africa’s infrastructure but also creating a lasting legacy by equipping the next generation of professionals to thrive.
Khayelitsha Cookies is a remarkable business that empowers previously unemployed women, primarily from Khayelitsha and surrounding informal settlements, by providing training and employment in the baking industry. Starting with humble beginnings, the company has grown exponentially to employ 86, supplying major brands and even expanding into international markets like the USA.
Makhoba Professional Services, a pioneering ICT telecommunications company founded by Thabile Makhoba, started from humble beginnings in her mother’s garage. Motivated to bridge the lack of digital access in her community led to the establishment of a company now with 22 staff members and two provincial branches. Makhoba Professional Services continues to drive social and economic development through its reliable broadband solutions.
Nerdware is a digital powerhouse that has been pushing the boundaries of innovation and inclusivity. Founded by an experienced leader with a rich background spanning industries from staffing to precious metals, Nerdware has grown from a small team of four to a thriving 50-person company, surpassing R60 million in annual revenue since 2021. With a unique focus on empowering women, creating sustainable business solutions, and helping other SMEs grow, Nerdware continues to make a lasting impact, building a brighter and more inclusive digital future for all.
Wheelchair Doctor & Manufacturing
The Wheelchair Doctor & Manufacturing is an innovative company specialising in designing, manufacturing, and repairing mobility solutions, particularly for people living in rural areas and townships. Founded by an internal auditing graduate, the business has revolutionized wheelchair design with groundbreaking products like a 100% manual stair-climbing wheelchair, a world-first, and off-road wheelchairs tailored for rough terrains.
BaseCloud is a proudly self-funded South African CRM provider that stands out in a market dominated by tech giants with vast resources. Despite intense global competition, BaseCloud has succeeded in developing a CRM software that delivers 100% lead-tracking accuracy, business process automation, and real-time insights. The company’s journey began with Google Ads management, quickly expanding to high-converting websites and ultimately evolving into a CRM platform.
Cape MedTech, founded by a former doctor in rural South Africa, creates affordable, innovative healthcare solutions for low-resource settings, including the EZ Airway® video laryngoscope and the Triage Buddy app. Focused on improving patient care across Africa, they’re transforming healthcare delivery with accessible technologies that empower healthcare professionals in underserved communities.
Essentially Natural is an online store and trusted resource for high-quality natural oils, botanicals, and specialised ingredients, proudly serving both individuals and businesses across South Africa. Founded ten years ago after a deeply personal experience with cancer in the family, this women-led business grew from a small flat to a 20-member team working from a large warehouse, championing eco-friendly values with carbon-neutral shipping and its “One Percent Movement” to support community and environmental projects.
InfoDocs is revolutionising the way business owners manage company records, simplifying annual returns, shareholder management, and compliance with over 70 templates for essential documents. Founded by a 21-year-old entrepreneur in Port Alfred, inspired by his father’s struggle with CIPC compliance, the business has grown rapidly from just 43 companies in its first year to over 57,000 today.
Kiko Vitals is a South African company dedicated to revolutionising women’s health with natural, science-backed supplements that address issues like hormonal imbalances and digestive health. With over 27,000 customers, the brand is also committed to empowering women through education, investing in Femtech, and contributing to the fight against period poverty.
Legends Barbershop, founded by Sheldon Tatchell in 2011, has grown from a single shop in Eldorado Park to 70 locations across Southern Africa, known for its top-tier grooming and innovative mobile barbershop service. Through unwavering dedication, Sheldon has not only built a successful business but also created jobs, empowered youth, and given back to the community, with plans to take Legends Barbershop internationally while continuing his mission of innovation and social impact.
Oryx Desert Salt offers 100% natural, sustainably harvested salt from the Kalahari Desert and has grown from a small home operation, founded by a single mother, into a global brand with over 35 employees, exporting to the USA and UK. Driven by a commitment to health, sustainability, and community empowerment, Oryx partners with local artisans and underprivileged youth, while its innovative #RefillNotLandfill initiative has saved millions of plastic bottles from landfills, making the company a true leader in ethical and eco-conscious business practices.
Samantha Dunbar Inc. has grown from a single physiotherapy practice to a network of five clinics dedicated to personalised patient care across Johannesburg. With expertise in rehabilitation, sports injuries, and sustainable practices, Samantha Dunbar Inc. remains committed to community impact and advancing the physiotherapy profession.
Swimmattix Swim School, founded in 2014, has grown from a small, one-person operation to the largest swim school in the Western Cape, now with nine locations and soon expanding to 10. Specialising in swimming lessons for all ages—from babies as young as three-weeks old to adults—Swimmattix is committed to teaching life-saving skills and has made a significant impact through charity work with organizations such as Hannah’s Place of Safety and The Darcy Foundation.
Outsourced CFO provides CFO services, cloud accounting, and automation solutions to entrepreneurial businesses worldwide, evolving from a local startup into a multi-award-winning global consultancy. With a team of over 100 top finance professionals, they’ve empowered over 1,000 companies to scale while creating 800 jobs and raising nearly R100 million for emerging entrepreneurs through their Founders Foundation initiative.
In order to enter you need to be an NSBC Member*. Once logged in to the NSBC Member Zone you will be able to access the online entry form.
Once the entry form has been completed and the required documentation collected and uploaded you can simply submit your entry online.
An experienced panel of judges then assess the entries and based on the criteria for each category select and announce the finalists.
The finalists and a prestigious guest list of big and small business decision makers are then invited to attend a glitzy online gala event where the winners are announced.
Entries are free and exclusive to NSBC Members.
The competition is evaluated in four categories and entrants are permitted to enter more than one category.
National Small Business Champion of the Year
Less than 250 employees.
National Entrepreneur Champion of the Year
Owners that show entrepreneurial excellence.
Woman in Business Champion of the Year
Those special ladies who believe that they have what it takes to reach the top of the game.
National Startup Champion of the Year
Businesses Started less than 18 months ago.
