Maduwa Paint World, founded by Soshanguve entrepreneur Rodney Maduwa, won the 2026 Standard Bank Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge and its R1 million grand prize.
The business secured the R1 million grand prize after emerging as the top enterprise among hundreds of applications from entrepreneurs across South Africa’s nine provinces.
The competition’s national finals were held in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on 27 August 2026. Standard Bank said Maduwa Paint World impressed the judges with its growth journey, industrial-manufacturing vision, commercial viability and potential to create sustainable jobs.
According to Standard Bank, Maduwa Paint World has grown from a five-square-metre shack in Soshanguve into a growing South African paint and coatings manufacturer with operations across multiple provinces.
The company produces decorative and industrial coatings and plans to establish a local acrylic emulsion manufacturing facility. The initiative is aimed at reducing its reliance on imported raw materials.
Standard Bank said that Judges recognised the company’s commitment to local manufacturing, industrialisation, job creation and its vision of building black-owned industrial-manufacturing capability in South Africa.
Maduwa Paint World was initially named the Gauteng provincial winner before progressing to the national finals.
The following businesses were announced as runners-up:
- First runner-up: Ezempilo Primecare Clinic, founded by Sisanda Potye. The business advanced to the national finals through the competition’s Viewers’ Choice category.
- Second runner-up: PSD Scent Perfumes (Pty) Ltd, founded by Phumulile Mkhonza, who represented Mpumalanga.
Standard Bank said the judging panel assessed finalists on entrepreneurial excellence, commercial viability, scalability, market opportunity, financial sustainability and community impact.
Maduwa Paint World stood out for its growth trajectory, entrepreneurial vision and potential contribution to South Africa’s manufacturing sector.
Standard Bank said the R1 million prize would help the company accelerate its growth plans, expand manufacturing capacity, create additional jobs and strengthen its position in local and national value chains.
The funding is also expected to support the company’s ambition to develop acrylic emulsion manufacturing and increase its production capacity.
Naledzani Mosomane, head of Enterprise and Supplier Development at Standard Bank South Africa’s Business and Commercial Banking division, said the quality of entries demonstrated the potential of township economies.
“This year’s competition showcased the ambition, resilience and innovation that exists within township economies across South Africa. The quality of businesses that participated demonstrates that entrepreneurs are building scalable enterprises that create jobs, solve real challenges and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.”
“We congratulate Maduwa Paint World on winning the Pitch Challenge and look forward to supporting Rodney as he amplifies the growth of his business with the R1 million prize money,” added Mosomane.
The Kasi SME Summit and National Pitch Challenge are platforms focused on unlocking the growth potential of township businesses and entrepreneurs.
Standard Bank concluded that This year’s event brought together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, policymakers and business-development partners under the theme: “Commercialising Kasi: Unlocking Competitive Township Businesses.”
yogashen.pillay@nationalmg.co.za
