Soshanguve Paint Manufacturer Wins Standard Bank’s R1 Million Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge

From a five-square-metre shack in Soshanguve to a growing manufacturing business, Maduwa Paint World has taken home the top prize at the 2026 Standard Bank Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge.

28 August 2026 – Soshanguve-based entrepreneur Rodney Maduwa has been named the winner of the 2026 Standard Bank Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge, securing the R1 million grand prize for his business, Maduwa Paint World (Pty) Ltd.

The paint and coatings manufacturer emerged as the overall winner after competing against hundreds of entrepreneurs from across South Africa’s nine provinces.

Maduwa Paint World impressed the judging panel with its growth journey, manufacturing ambitions, commercial potential and ability to create sustainable employment and contribute to the broader economy.

From a five-square-metre shack to manufacturing

Maduwa Paint World’s story is rooted in township entrepreneurship.

The business has grown from a five-square-metre shack in Soshanguve into a scaling South African manufacturer producing decorative and industrial coatings, with operations extending across multiple provinces.

Beyond its existing manufacturing operations, the company is pursuing plans to establish a local acrylic emulsion manufacturing facility.

The initiative could help reduce the company’s reliance on imported raw materials while strengthening local manufacturing capacity and positioning Maduwa Paint World further up the value chain.

For the judges, the business represented more than a successful SME. Its ambitions reflect the potential for township businesses to participate in sectors traditionally associated with larger industrial players.

From Gauteng winner to national champion

Maduwa Paint World first secured the Gauteng provincial title, earning its place in the national finals of the competition.

It subsequently emerged as the overall national winner.

The national competition’s other top businesses included:

• 1st Runner-Up: Ezempilo Primecare Clinic, founded by Sisanda Potye, which advanced to the national finals through the competition’s Viewers’ Choice category.
• 2nd Runner-Up: PSD Scent Perfumes (Pty) Ltd, founded by Phumulile Mkhonza, representing Mpumalanga.

Finalists were assessed on factors including entrepreneurial excellence, commercial viability, scalability, market opportunity, financial sustainability and community impact.

Maduwa Paint World stood out for its growth trajectory, industrial manufacturing vision and potential to generate sustainable economic opportunities.

R1 million to accelerate growth

The R1 million prize is expected to give Maduwa Paint World additional capacity to pursue its expansion plans.

The funding will support the company’s efforts to expand manufacturing capacity, create additional jobs and strengthen its participation in local and national value chains.

It is also expected to contribute towards the company’s ambition of advancing its acrylic emulsion manufacturing initiative, potentially allowing the business to increase production and reduce dependence on imported inputs.

For an entrepreneur who started in a five-square-metre shack, the prize represents an opportunity to take the business into its next phase of growth.

“The calibre of businesses that entered this year’s competition demonstrates that some of South Africa’s most exciting growth opportunities are emerging from township economies,” says Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development at Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa.

Mosomane says this year’s competition highlighted the scale of ambition within 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.”

He added that Standard Bank looks forward to supporting Maduwa as he uses the prize to accelerate the growth of the business.

Commercialising the Kasi economy

The Standard Bank Kasi SME Summit and National Pitch Challenge has become a platform focused on supporting the growth of township businesses and entrepreneurs.

This year’s event was held under the theme “Commercialising Kasi: Unlocking Competitive Township Businesses”, bringing together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, policymakers and business development partners.

Now in its fourth year, the Summit aims to connect township entrepreneurs with potential partners, investors, business leaders and development organisations while creating opportunities around market access, collaboration and business growth.

The National Pitch Challenge forms part of Standard Bank’s broader Enterprise and Supplier Development programme, which provides qualifying majority black-owned businesses with access to funding, mentorship, business development support and market access opportunities.

For Maduwa Paint World, however, the R1 million prize marks more than the end of a competition. It provides capital to pursue a bigger industrial vision — one that began in Soshanguve and now has ambitions extending into South Africa’s manufacturing value chain.