SHARE
EZEKIEL PHALANA
ADDITIONAL INFO PROVIDED AND PICTURE
Maduwa Paint World (Pty) Ltd, a Soshanguve-based paint and coatings manufacturer founded by entrepreneur Rodney Maduwa,is 28 years of age has been crowned the overall winner of the 2026 Standard Bank Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge, taking home the R1 million grand prize.
The business emerged victorious after competing against hundreds of entrepreneurs from all nine provinces, impressing the judging panel with its remarkable growth journey, industrial manufacturing ambitions, commercial potential and capacity to create sustainable employment and economic opportunities.
Maduwa Paint World’s story is one of determination, innovation and township entrepreneurship. Having started from a five-square-metre shack in Soshanguve, the company has grown into a scaling South African manufacturer producing decorative and industrial coatings, with operations extending across multiple provinces.
The company is now pursuing plans to establish a local acrylic emulsion manufacturing facility, an initiative aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing capacity and reducing dependence on imported raw materials.
The judges recognised Maduwa Paint World for its commitment to local manufacturing, industrialisation, job creation and the development of black-owned industrial capability in South Africa.
Maduwa Paint World first secured victory as the Gauteng provincial winner before progressing to the national finals, where it ultimately claimed the overall title.
The national competition also recognised two outstanding runners-up. Ezempilo Primecare Clinic, founded by Sisanda Potye, was named first runner-up after advancing to the national finals through the Viewers’ Choice category, while PSD Scent Perfumes (Pty) Ltd, founded by Phumulile Mkhonza and representing Mpumalanga, was named second runner-up.
Finalists were evaluated against a range of criteria, including entrepreneurial excellence, commercial viability, scalability, market opportunity, financial sustainability and community impact.
Maduwa Paint World stood out for its impressive growth trajectory, entrepreneurial vision and potential to make a meaningful contribution to South Africa’s manufacturing sector while generating sustainable economic opportunities.
The R1 million prize is expected to provide a significant boost to the company’s expansion plans. The funding will assist Maduwa Paint World in increasing its manufacturing capacity, creating additional employment opportunities, strengthening its participation in local and national value chains and advancing its plans for acrylic emulsion production.
Speaking about the competition, Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development at Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa, said the calibre of entries demonstrated the significant opportunities emerging from township economies.
“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.”
Mosomane said the competition highlighted the ambition, resilience and innovation of entrepreneurs across the country.
“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.”
She congratulated Maduwa Paint World and its founder on the achievement, adding that Standard Bank looked forward to supporting the business as it uses the prize money to accelerate its growth.
The Standard Bank Kasi SME Summit and National Pitch Challenge has established itself as an important platform for showcasing township enterprises and connecting entrepreneurs with opportunities for growth, collaboration and market access.
This year’s summit was held under the theme “Commercialising Kasi: Unlocking Competitive Township Businesses”, bringing together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, policymakers and business development partners to explore ways of strengthening township enterprises and enabling them to compete in broader markets.
Now in its fourth year, the summit continues to provide entrepreneurs with access to business leaders, development organisations, policymakers and investors, while creating opportunities for mentorship, partnerships and market expansion.
The Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge forms part of Standard Bank’s broader Enterprise and Supplier Development programme, which supports qualifying majority black-owned businesses through access to funding, mentorship, business development support and market opportunities.
For Rodney Maduwa and Maduwa Paint World, the R1 million victory represents more than a business prize. It marks a significant milestone in a journey that began in a small Soshanguve shack and has evolved into an ambitious manufacturing enterprise with aspirations to strengthen local production, create jobs and contribute to South Africa’s industrial economy.
The victory further demonstrates the potential of township businesses to evolve into competitive enterprises capable of contributing to the country’s broader economic development and manufacturing.