From a 5m² shack in Soshanguve to a R1m national prize, Rodney Maduwa’s entrepreneurial journey is gaining momentum. His company, Maduwa Paint World, has been named the winner of the 2026 Standard Bank Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge, beating hundreds of businesses from across South Africa’s nine provinces.Source: Supplied. Winner of the 2026 Standard Bank Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge, Founder: Maduwa Paint World (Pty) Ltd, Rodney Maduwa.Judges recognised the paint and coatings manufacturer’s impressive growth, commercial potential and ambitious manufacturing vision, as well as its potential to create sustainable jobs. The prize will help accelerate expansion and strengthen its local manufacturing capabilities.Maduwa Paint World 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 R1m 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.Source: Supplied. Thatiso Dube, Founder and Creative Director: Galxboy; Lesiba Matladi, Senior Manager: Enterprise & Supplier Development Programmes for Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa; Winner of the 2026 Standard Bank Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge, Founder: Maduwa Paint World (Pty) Ltd, Rodney Maduwa; Nokhanyo Ntshingila, Senior Manager: Enterprise & Supplier Development Programmes for Business and Commercial Banking; Naledzani Mosomane; Head: Enterprise & Supplier Development for Business and Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa and Master of Ceremonies, Gugulethu Mfuphi, renowned financial journalist, conversation strategist, and global moderator.”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: 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 R1m prize money,” adds Mosomane.Unlocking township growthThe 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.



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