Maduwa Paint World (Pty) Ltd, founded by Rodney Maduwa fromSoshanguve, Gauteng, has been named the winner of the 2026 Standard Bank Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge, securing the R1 million grand prize after emerging as the top business from hundreds of applications received from entrepreneurs across South Africa’s nine provinces. The business impressed judges with its growth journey, industrial manufacturing vision, commercial viability and potential to create sustainable jobs and economic impact.

Maduwa Paint World has grown from a five-square-metre shack in Soshanguve into a scaling South African paint and coatings manufacturer with operations across multiple provinces. The business produces decorative and industrial coatings while pursuing plans to establish a local acrylic emulsion manufacturing facility aimed at reducing reliance on imported raw materials. Judges recognised the company's commitment to local manufacturing, industrialisation, job creation and its vision to build black-owned industrial manufacturing capability in South Africa.

Maduwa Paint World was initially crowned the Gauteng provincial winner before progressing to the national finals, where the SME emerged as the overall champion. The following SME businesses were announced as runners-up:

• 1st Runner-Up:   

Ezempilo Primecare Clinic founded by Sisanda Potye advanced to the national finals through the competition's Viewers' Choice category.

• 2nd Runner-Up:

PSD Scent Perfumes (Pty) Ltd founded by Phumulile Mkhonza who represented the Mpumalanga province.

The judging panel assessed finalists on entrepreneurial excellence, commercial viability, scalability, market opportunity, financial sustainability and community impact. Maduwa Paint World distinguished itself through its strong growth trajectory, entrepreneurial vision and potential to contribute to South Africa's manufacturing sector while creating sustainable economic opportunities.

The R1 million prize will help Maduwa Paint World accelerate its growth plans, expand manufacturing capacity, create additional jobs and strengthen its position within local and national value chains. The funding is also expected to support the company's ambition of advancing its acrylic emulsion manufacturing initiative and increasing production capability.

"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.

"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," adds Mosomane.

The Standard Bank Kasi SME Summit and National Pitch Challenge have become one of South Africa's leading platforms dedicated to unlocking the growth potential of township businesses and entrepreneurs. This year's event brought together entrepreneurs, industry leaders, policymakers and business development partners under the theme, “Commercialising Kasi: Unlocking Competitive Township Businesses."

Now in its fourth year, the Summit continues to connect entrepreneurs with business leaders, development organisations, policymakers and investors, providing practical opportunities for growth, collaboration and market access.

The Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge forms part of Standard Bank's broader Enterprise and Supplier Development programme, through which the bank supports qualifying majority black-owned businesses with access to funding, mentorship, business development support and market access opportunities.