South Africa’s small business ecosystem took centre stage as the 2026 edition of the 702 MTN Small Business Awards reinforced a critical economic truth: in emerging markets, entrepreneurship is no longer peripheral – it is structural.
Held in Sandton, the awards – backed by MTN Group and Primedia Broadcasting have evolved into more than recognition platforms. They are now instruments of economic signalling, identifying where innovation, resilience, and grassroots productivity intersect in a constrained macroeconomic environment.
This year’s winners reflect a deeper shift in the nature of African enterprise.
First-place winner All Day Jam represents the rise of Agri-processing Entrepreneurship, where value addition, not raw production, is becoming the real driver of income and export potential. Second-place winner The Wheelchair Doctor highlights a different frontier: inclusive innovation, solving infrastructural and accessibility deficits through locally engineered solutions. Meanwhile, The Learning Space underscores the growing importance of education-tech hybrids, particularly in STEM, as Africa confronts its human capital gap.
Founded by Gontse Selaocoe, All Day Jam combines organic farming with artisanal food production to create uniquely flavoured jams, including Tomato, Yellow Melon, Pear, and Peach varieties. Inspired by early entrepreneurial exposure in 2017 and nurtured by a farming heritage, All Day Jam employs eight staff and markets its products through Makro Online and Super Store, with plans to expand into prominent retailers such as Food Lovers Market and explore export opportunities. The company embodies innovation, providing economic opportunities and embracing future growth.
Second place: The Wheelchair Doctor and Manufacturing Mongezi Majenge’s Wheelchair Doctor is a pioneering mobility solution company dedicated to restoring dignity and independence for people with reduced mobility, particularly within townships, rural regions, and underserved communities. The company’s groundbreaking innovations include Rudy wheelchair – the world’s first wheelchair capable of stair climbing – and an off-road wheelchair designed for terrains such as farms and informal settlements. Through customised and specialised wheelchairs, the business addresses critical gaps in accessibility and affordability, positively transforming lives across South Africa.
Third place: The Learning Space: Founded by Ernest Rangaka, The Learning Space was born from a vision to transform how learners perceive Mathematics and Science – subjects often regarded as intimidating or exclusive in South Africa. Embracing the philosophy that STEM disciplines are languages akin to English or Setswana – fundamental to understanding the universe – The Learning Space focuses on nurturing curiosity, mindset, and purpose among learners. Ernest’s experience assisting first-year students revealed that barriers were less about ability and more about support and approach. Coming from a township background where quality STEM education is scarce, he is passionate about helping learners connect with these subjects meaningfully and empowering them to see their own potential.
Honouring the finalists
The competition also recognised a strong cohort of ten finalists, each distinct in their entrepreneurial journeys and contributions:
- Reliable Renders Home Deco (Mbali Mdluli), a Pretoria-based home décor firm committed to affordable, stylish interiors and local job creation.
- Travel with Afrika (Afrika Mdolomba), a niche travel company specialising in curated group adventures for young South Africans.
- MM Stationery Shoppers (Moloko Manthata), South Africa’s first WhatsApp-native school readiness concierge platform easing back-to-school burdens on working parents while delivering social impact.
- Hyades Cleaning Solutions (Letty Baloyi), a professional cleaning company balancing eco-friendly practices with reliable service delivery.
- SixKings (Neil Van Der Merwe), an atelier crafting bespoke premium footwear proudly made in South Africa.
- Boyd’s House of Regalia (Wandise Boyd), a graduation regalia brand enhancing the celebration experience with quality and dignity.
- SwimLePortia (Portia Mokoena), an inclusive swimming education enterprise dedicated to water safety and empowerment in underserved communities.
Each finalist embodies the entrepreneurial spirit vital for economic growth and societal transformation in Gauteng and beyond.
“In marking our third year with MTN, the calibre of our 2026 edition’s finalists and winners reflects the extraordinary vitality and creativity flourishing within Gauteng’s small business sector. These entrepreneurs not only generate economic value but also uplift communities, innovate against the odds, and fuel social progress. It was a privilege to celebrate their achievements during the gala event, and we remain committed to supporting their journeys toward sustainable growth and broader impact.” – Mzo Jojwana, Primedia Broadcasting chief content officer.
Tumi Sekhukhune Chamayou, chief enterprise business officer at MTN South Africa, says: “These businesses remind us that entrepreneurship in South Africa is deeply human. It is about solving problems you have lived through, serving communities you come from and finding ways to grow despite very real constraints. We congratulate all the winners and finalists for their resilience, innovation and commitment to building businesses that make a meaningful difference.”
The 2026 702 MTN Small Business Awards – Let’s Talk Shop, hosted under the stewardship of MTN and 702, continue to serve as a powerful platform for recognising entrepreneurial excellence, promoting inclusive growth, and empowering small businesses to scale new heights in South Africa’s evolving economic landscape
What unites these businesses is not just innovation, but contextual relevance – solutions rooted in lived realities rather than imported models.
From a BrandiQ perspective, the strategic implication is clear: South Africa’s SME sector is becoming a distributed innovation system, where economic resilience is being built from the bottom up.
For global markets, particularly the US and UK, this signals opportunity. Venture capital, development finance institutions, and impact investors increasingly view African SMEs as high-growth, high-impact assets, especially in sectors such as Agri-tech, mobility solutions, and digital education. At a policy level, the awards reinforce a broader narrative:
Africa’s economic future will not be driven solely by large corporates or extractive industries, but by scalable, community-rooted enterprises capable of solving structural inefficiencies.
