Success Story
Meet the 16 entrepreneurs fighting for a prize worth R1 million in Nedbank Pitch & Polish 2025!
Meet the 16 entrepreneurs fighting for a prize worth R1 million in Nedbank Pitch & Polish 2025!
Johannesburg – A record-breaking 2 500+ business owners from all corners of South Africa entered the Nedbank Pitch & Polish 2025 competition. This year’s entries embody the diverse, solution-driven spirit of South African entrepreneurs – from AI-driven accessibility tools that assist the visually impaired to a no-demolition-necessary home renovation solution and bioactive toilet paper that promotes a healthier water system.
After an intense selection process, 16 standout entrepreneurs have been chosen, ready to step up to the microphone and compete for their chance to take home the 1st prize worth an incredible R1 million – made up of R650 000 in cash to grow their business and a R350 000 bursary for a Raizcorp incubation programme. The 1st runner-up receives R100 000 in cash and the 2nd runner-up goes home with R50 000.
Now in its impressive 15th season, the Nedbank Pitch & Polish competition continues to provide entrepreneurs with a structured, practical learning experience designed to sharpen their investment pitching skills and increase their chances of securing funding. Each participant is paired with a seasoned business mentor from Africa’s leading incubator, Raizcorp, who guides them through key areas of their pitch such as strategy, finance, sales and marketing. While only 1 entrepreneur will ultimately take the prize worth R1 million, all the contestants will leave equipped with valuable insights and the skills they need to build resilient, sustainable businesses.
These are the contestants who will kick off round 1 of the competition on Tuesday, 5 August 2025, at 19:00:
Vanessa Snyman
VEZ Technology, Mpumalanga
Here’s proof that even the most basic household items can spark meaningful change. Vanessa Snyman’s business is pioneering bioactive toilet paper – this clever innovation involves a process where a 5-strain bacteria blend is added to toilet paper, making it effective in reducing blocked drains, eliminating odours and promoting a healthier water system. Vanessa’s vision is simple: transform everyday essentials into sustainable solutions for a cleaner, greener future – 1 flush at a time.
Tieho Tsiane
Oplene Group, Gauteng
Imagine using your smartphone without even glancing at the screen! That’s exactly what Tieho Tsiane is making possible with Oplene Group’s KA-DAH – an AI-powered device that gives the visually impaired full control of their smartphones through intuitive gestures and voice feedback. With over 8 million visually impaired people in South Africa alone, KA-DAH’s impact is potentially huge. It’s not just about accessibility – it’s about dignity, independence and creating a greener, more inclusive digital world.
Maria Pelembe
Semapak, Gauteng
Plastic is everywhere, and it’s not going anywhere, which is why Maria Pelembe is making sure it’s managed smartly and sustainably. As the driving force behind Semapak, Maria produces high-quality packaging for everything from cosmetics and chemicals to pharmaceuticals. Based in Devland, Semapak isn’t just about bottles and caps – it’s about providing reliable, recyclable solutions for some of South Africa’s biggest names.
Blessing Sithole
Bakers Creationz, KwaZulu-Natal
What started in a home kitchen in the heart of Maphephetheni has been baked into something seriously sweet! Meet Blessing Sithole, the creator behind Bakers Creationz – the confectionery brand turning nostalgic treats into retail gold. His creations are stocked by retail heavyweights like Pick n Pay and Spar and it’s easy to taste why. His signature masterpiece? A reinvention of the classic snowball cake – fluffy sponge, creamy filling and pure nostalgic delight. The market is eating it up – literally – with over 6 000 snowballs flying off the shelves every week!
Cate Olifant
Akani Paints, Limpopo
Cate Olifant is proving that paint can be both eco-friendly and top-notch. Her business, Akani Paints, crafts high-grade, water-based paints that let you personalise your colour palette without harming the planet. With 2 branches and a growing team, Cate is making waves in the coatings industry. From competitive pricing to offering internships for young chemical engineers, Akani Paints is all about quality, sustainability and opening doors to brighter futures.
Tebogo Mpe
Assetshare, Gauteng
Why let expensive machines gather dust? Tebogo Mpe’s Assetshare is shaking up the construction game with an AI-powered platform that connects idle equipment to eager contractors. No more endless calls or slow paperwork – just quick digital quotes, trusted matches and a fair shot for smaller players. By turning underutilised machines into active assets, Tebogo is building a smarter, more efficient future for the construction industry.
Colleen Toerien
MS Sweethearts, Gauteng
Colleen Toerien’s business is the 1st local date syrup manufacturer in South Africa. Her range of refined-sugar-free treats, from date syrup to spread and choco-date bars, hit the sweet spot for health-conscious snackers and those managing diabetes. Stocked in local hotspots like The Pantry and Jacksons, Sweethearts is winning hearts – and awards – for its guilt-free indulgence. With plans to expand into cooking essentials like salad dressings, Colleen is bringing natural sweetness and healthier snacking to South African kitchens, 1 delicious bite at a time.
Tshepo Madigage
Gentaflo, Gauteng
In a world where speed and service drive loyalty, Tshepo Madigage is keeping businesses ahead of the game with Gentaflo. His company builds intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants that talk to customers in real time across websites, social media and messaging apps. Using natural language processing and machine learning, Gentaflo’s tools streamline support, reduce wait times and even analyse customer sentiment. With seamless CRM integration and multilingual capabilities, Tshepo’s team is redefining how companies connect, 1 smart conversation at a time.
Orion Herman
LiquidGold Africa, KwaZulu-Natal
Orion Herman is proving that waste can be a goldmine – literally. With LiquidGold Africa, he’s spearheading waterless sanitation systems that turn human waste into valuable products like animal feed, compost and fertiliser. Using innovative Black Soldier Fly processing and urine-to-fertiliser technology, Orion’s approach saves precious water and fuels regenerative farming while transforming waste into real solutions for food security, water conservation and a greener planet.
Prudence Mabaso
The Kitchen Wrap Company, Gauteng
No moving out, no dust, no demolition – just a fresh new look overnight! Prudence Mabaso’s company is transforming home renovations in South Africa with its innovative wrap solutions. Whether it’s turning dull brown cupboards into sleek white ones or giving your furniture an instant style boost, they make it happen quickly, cleanly and affordably. No mess, no fuss – just instant home makeovers!
Oscar Monama
Pheko PM Group, Gauteng
Oscar Monama is bringing indigenous African plants to the forefront of wellness and nutrition. His business transforms everyday foods into nutrient-rich superfoods using plants like Moringa, Artemisia Afra, Soursop and Bidens Pilosa. From Moringa-based oils and powders to healthy animal feed, every product he makes is crafted with sustainability in mind. Named the 2024 Green SME Overall Winner, Oscar’s team is also developing an app that profiles over 4 500 African indigenous plants, connecting tradition, science and a healthier future.
Xolani Gininda
Smartsight South Africa, Mpumalanga
Imagine a world where the deaf can “hear” through their eyes. Xolani Gininda is making this possible with Smartsight South Africa – the 1st African company to integrate speech-to-text AI into smart glasses. With over 40 million people in Africa living with hearing disabilities, Xolani’s innovation is a potential game-changer. This is more than just a tech innovation – it’s a step towards easier communication and a more inclusive world.
