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EZEKIEL PHALANA ADDITIONAL INFO SUPPLIED BY STANDARD BANK
Standard Bank Group Business and Commercial Banking (BCB) has unveiled the winners of its inaugural Inclusive Excellence Awards, a landmark initiative honouring South Africa’s Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) led by entrepreneurs with disabilities.
The awards reflect Standard Bank’s ongoing commitment to building a more inclusive economy by supporting businesses that are not only commercially viable but also socially impactful.
“The initiative forms part of our Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme, which aims to advance inclusive entrepreneurship by supporting majority black-owned businesses to start, manage and grow into sustainable enterprises,” said Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development at Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking South Africa.
Set against the backdrop of South Africa’s drive for inclusive growth, the awards celebrate enterprises that are breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and redefining what success looks like in the SMME sector.
Recognising Excellence Across Sectors
The 2026 winners represent a diverse cross-section of industries and provinces, each demonstrating innovation, resilience, and a commitment to community upliftment:
Agriculture Award: Setlogong Project 2 (Pty) Ltd – A Limpopo-based poultry farming enterprise empowering people with disabilities through sustainable agriculture in rural communities.
Arts & Culture Award: Me4uTalented Studios (Pty) Ltd – A QwaQwa-based creative studio producing film, theatre, and cultural content while nurturing emerging artistic talent.
Innovative Business Award: Umba Creative Service – A Gauteng-based agency driving workplace inclusion through strategy, design, and storytelling.
Manufacturing Award: Seated by Jenkie – A local manufacturer producing outdoor cushions and décor, supplying national retailers through an e-commerce model.
Community Champion of the Year: Renature (Pty) Ltd (trading as Eully’s Cakery) – A business supporting township and rural bakers with access to supplies, training, and enterprise development.
Youth Achievement Award (Special Category): Abundance Solutions – A youth-led Eastern Cape business providing marketing, PR, and development services to SMMEs and community organisations.
Overall Winner: Driving Sustainable Impact
The prestigious title of Overall Winner of the Standard Bank Inclusive Excellence Awards 2026 was awarded to Esisipho K (Pty) Ltd, a KwaZulu-Natal-based agricultural enterprise focused on crop and livestock farming. The business is recognised for its contribution to food security, sustainable farming practices, and inclusive economic participation.
Empowering Growth Through Opportunity
The winners will share a total prize pool of R400,000, aimed at supporting business growth, scaling operations, and deepening their impact within their communities.
Entries were rigorously evaluated based on formal registration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) or relevant authorities, operational viability, and alignment with South Africa’s development priorities. Judges also considered how effectively businesses articulated their vision and demonstrated alignment with the purpose of the Inclusive Excellence Awards.
Advancing an Inclusive Future
The Inclusive Excellence Awards underscore Standard Bank’s broader vision of fostering an economy where opportunity is accessible to all—regardless of physical ability. By recognising and investing in entrepreneurs with disabilities, the bank continues to champion innovation, resilience, and inclusive growth across South Africa.
As these businesses expand their reach and deepen their impact, they stand as powerful examples of what is possible when talent is supported, barriers are removed, and inclusion is prioritised.