Woolworths Unveils 15 Young Entrepreneurs Selected for 2026 Youth Makers Programme
Woolworths Unveils 15 Young Entrepreneurs Selected for 2026 Youth Makers Programme. Woolworths has announced the 15 winners of its 2026 Youth Makers competition, recognising a new group of young entrepreneurs whose businesses span sectors including fashion, agriculture, wellness, publishing, beauty, homeware and design.
The announcement coincides with the start of Youth Month and marks the latest edition of the retailer’s initiative aimed at supporting youth-owned businesses and promoting entrepreneurship among South Africa’s younger generation.
According to Woolworths, 24 finalists were invited to present their businesses to a judging panel at the company’s head office in Cape Town. Following the evaluation process, 15 entrepreneurs were selected to participate in the next phase of the programme.
The successful entrepreneurs represent a broad range of industries and business models. The selected businesses include handcrafted ceramics brand UBaliwe, fashion label Patrick Ferguson Designs, design business Patns by Buhle, home fragrance company KwaDube Essentials and leather goods manufacturer Hide and Suede.
Other winners include agricultural enterprise Marapyane Farms, sneaker care company Walk Fresh, accessories brand Mayaka Accessories, sustainable fashion business E_mania and streetwear label Victori.
The final group of winners also includes wellness food producer Well N Well, beauty and empowerment venture Girl Boss Africa, womenswear brand Noac, children’s haircare company Glolooks Kiddies and education and publishing business Maru Maphiri Group.
Woolworths said each entrepreneur will receive a package of support designed to help strengthen and scale their businesses.
The support includes mentorship from Woolworths specialists, commercial guidance from business consultants and grant funding exceeding R130,000. Participants will also have the opportunity to showcase their products in three flagship Woolworths stores across the country.
The retailer said the programme aims to provide practical business support while helping young entrepreneurs gain exposure to new customers and commercial opportunities.
Customers will also be able to engage directly with the entrepreneurs during a series of pop-up events scheduled to take place in KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and the Western Cape.
The first showcase will be hosted at Gateway Shopping Centre from 24 June to 5 July. Additional events will take place at Mall of Africa from 22 July to 2 August and at Cavendish Square from 26 August to 6 September.
According to Woolworths, the Youth Makers competition forms part of its Inclusive Justice Initiative, which focuses on expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups and supporting inclusive economic growth.
