Celebrating Artisanal Entrepreneurship

What is the goal of Artisans of Mzansi?

The goal of Artisans of Mzansi is to recognise artisan talent and to celebrate those who are using their artisanal skills and entrepreneurial spirit as a weapon against unemployment, poverty, and inequality in South Africa.

The competition aims to act as a showcase of the best South African artisan talent.

Through Artisans of Mzansi, we want to spotlight artisans so that they can serve as relatable role models in their communities and contribute towards changing the negative perceptions around the trades.

The Four Competition Categories

Revenue

Micro
business

0 – 1 million

Small
Business

1 million – 5 million

Medium
Business

5 million+

Innovation
Award*

N/A
*The Innovation Award is open to anyone, regardless of revenue size. Through the Innovation Award, we want to find those artisanal entrepreneurs who are thinking ahead and working on specific innovations that will change or are already changing the future of artisanal trades.

The Competition in Four Stages

May - June

complete an online application

Entries into the competition take place via an online application form. Once the application phase ends, no new entries will be considered. Applications close 30 June 2026.

August

Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted telephonically and interviews will be held in August to discover more about the business owners and their businesses.

September

Pitch Readiness for the Top 8 (2 per category)

The Top 8 candidates from the telephonic interview stage will be determined and undergo pitch-readiness training online to refine their business pitch in September.

September

Final Pitch

The finalists will pitch their business to a panel of judges who will determine the winners of the Artisans of Mzansi competition at a Gala Dinner event in September.

Artisan Stories

Watch past winners share how they built their business and what the Trades have made possible.

Watch on YouTube

Dipuo Phakathi

CEO Denic Cabinets

Thamsanqa Myeza

CEO Imbewenhle Airconditioning

Are you ready to enter?

Here’s what you need

  • You must be a qualified artisan (trade tested)
  • South African citizenship or Permanent Residency
  • Not older than 50 years at the end of 2026
  • Owner or 50% partner in a trade business
    ie. Plumbing, Construction, Carpentry, Electrical, Installation, Renovations, General Repairs, or related fields
  • Your business must be formalised and ethically run

What you stand to win

*Each winner also receives a year of mentorship and coaching, plus marketing material for their business (photos and a video) worth R50,000 on top of the category prize

Micro
Business

R50k

Small
Business

R100k

Medium
Business

R200k

Innovation
Award

R100k