Standard Bank Business and Commercial Banking (BCB) has announced the winners of its first Inclusive Excellence Awards, an initiative that recognises South Africa’s Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) led by entrepreneurs with disabilities.
“The initiative form part of BCB’s Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) efforts that aim to advance inclusive entrepreneurship by supporting majority black-owned South African businesses to start, manage and grow into sustainable entities”, says, Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) at Business & Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa.
The 2026 winners are:
- Agriculture Award: Setlogong Project 2 (Pty) Ltd
This is aLimpopo‑based poultry farming enterprise that produces broiler chickens for local markets, with a focus on empowering people with disabilities through agriculture in rural communities.
- Arts & Culture Award: Me4uTalented Studios (Pty) Ltd
This is a creative arts and media production company that is based in the Free State province in Qwa Qwa. It produces film, theatre and cultural content while supporting community engagement and the development of emerging artists.
- Innovative Business Award: Umba Creative Service
This is a Gauteng‑based consulting and creative agency that supports organisations with workplace inclusion through strategy, design and storytelling.
- Manufacturing Award: Seated by Jenkie
This South African manufacturing business is based in Gauteng. It produces locally made outdoor and patio cushions as well as décor – supplying national retailers through an e‑commerce model.
- Community Champion of the Year Award: Renature (Pty) Ltd
This is a Gauteng‑based baking supply and enterprise development business. It trades as Eully’s Cakery, supporting township and rural bakers through access to baking supplies and skills development.
- Youth Achievement Award (Special category selected by the judges): Abundance Solutions
This is a youth‑led business that is based in the Eastern Cape. It provides marketing, public relations and business development services to SMMEs and community organisations, with a focus on skills development and employment pathways.
- Overall Winner of the Standard Bank Inclusive Excellence Awards 2026: Esisipho K (Pty) Ltd
This is an agricultural enterprise that is based in KwaZulu-Natal Province. The company is involved in crop and livestock farming, focused on food security and sustainable farming practices.
The winners walk away with a share of R400,000 in total prize money.
In assessing entries, the judging process considered whether businesses were formally registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) or a relevant authority and actively operating at the time of entry. Priority was given to businesses operating in sectors aligned to South Africa’s development priorities.
Judges also evaluated how clearly each applicant articulated their business goals and demonstrated alignment to the broader purpose and objectives of the Standard Bank Inclusive Excellence Awards.
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