South Africa’s standout small businesses of 2026 were honoured at the News24 x Lula SME Awards at Nasdak in Cape Town on 29 October, and their journeys offer practical guidance for anyone starting out during Entrepreneurship Month.

Now in its second year, the awards recognise businesses demonstrating real growth, innovation, impact and resilience, sharing R300,000 in prize money across five categories. Zaio Institute of Technology won both Small Business of the Year and Service Business of the Year; Wonder Snacks was named Product Business of the Year; Ambesha Africa took Women-Owned Business of the Year; and Bulelani Balabala, founder of the Township Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA), was named Business Networker of the Year.

The winners were announced as South Africa heads into Entrepreneurship Month in November, building toward Global Entrepreneurship Week from 16–22 November—now in its 19th year, drawing more than 10 million people across 200 countries and territories.

1. Prove demand before spending on capacity

Wonder Snacks, the Product Business of the Year, began in 2017 with small popcorn poppers and manual flavouring. It now runs a fully automated popcorn plant in Parow, Cape Town, and as a Level 1 B-BBEE company is committed to creating opportunities for small businesses across its value chain.

Mubeen Ebrahim, Co-founder, Director and General Manager, says: “As an SME, one of the biggest challenges is how you respond to adversity – when a retailer tells you no, but you still have bills and staff to pay. You have to pick yourself up, go back and try again. The FMCG space is highly competitive, but if you believe in your product and what you are trying to achieve, you need the determination to keep going.”

2. Build around a problem you understand

Zaio Institute of Technology started as a University of Cape Town student venture and now offers accredited programmes in software development, artificial intelligence, data science and cybersecurity, with hands-on, project-based learning designed to help graduates secure work in the digital economy.

Akhil Boddu, Co-founder and CEO, says the recognition could unlock “new introductions and connections. We want to grow our employer-funded training offering and work with more companies that are willing to invest in talent and skills development.”

3. A network is a sales pipeline

Balabala founded TEA in 2015 with a database of around 10,000 entrepreneurs across townships including Thembisa, Alexandra, Mamelodi and Vosloorus. The alliance now reports directly impacting more than 80,000 township and rural companies, turning relationships into access to funding, markets, knowledge, equipment and strategic partners.

“Winning this award is validation of the work we are doing to drive economic growth at township and grassroots level,” Balabala says. “It signals to the market that we are trusted, reliable and worth working with.”

4. Earn from more than one service

Ambesha Africa, the Women-Owned Business of the Year, makes custom outdoor patio furniture from locally sourced materials and repairs existing pieces to extend their lifespan—work that also earned third place for Small Business of the Year. A repair line brings in income between large orders and gives customers a second reason to return.

Founder Trudy Mkansi says: “I hope this award unlocks new partnerships for Ambesha Africa, but I also hope it inspires other entrepreneurs to believe in what is possible. I come from a rural village in Bushbuckridge, and if someone at home who wants to start a business can look at my journey, relate to it and feel encouraged to turn their own idea into something real, that would make this recognition even more meaningful.”

5. Plan your finances

“Know your numbers, hire when the work is there to pay for it, stay close to your customers and plan for the months when cash is tight,” says Trevor Gosling, Co-founder and CEO of Lula. “Funding is essential to this process because when a growing business draws on working capital to buy stock, take on work or deliver a new contract, it is acting from a place of strength.”

Lula supports SMEs through a Cash Flow Facility that works like a line of credit without monthly account or admin fees, allowing businesses to draw funds as opportunities arise.

Gosling concludes: “As technology and AI create new ways for businesses to reach customers and operate, there is real potential for more South African SMEs to grow into significant employers and industry leaders. But that requires all of us to play our part… None of us can do it alone. But together, we can make it easier for more businesses to succeed.