The Tshwane Economic Development Agency (TEDA), in a strategic partnership with the Tshwane University of Technology’s Centre for Entrepreneurship Development hosted an onboarding event for the 2026 cohort of the Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) Programme. The event marks a significant milestone for the winners of the 2025 Tshwane Women in Business Awards (TWIBA), who have been sponsored by TUT to undergo a business course designed to assist and enhance their already established businesses in various forms.
The session featured addresses from the City of Tshwane leadership: Executive Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya, Deputy Executive Mayor, Councillor Eugene Modise, and TEDA CEO Dr Lardo Stander; all emphasising a shift from ‘survivalist’ business to sustainable, innovative entrepreneurship.
TEDA CEO, Dr Lardo Stander, highlighted the historical significance of the TWIBA platform, citing the inspiring story of Amelia Ball (Mrs. H.S. Ball’s Chutney). Her journey from a family recipe to a legacy worth million served as a call to action for the winners, and all entrepreneurs in the room, to normalise family involvement and commit to long-term growth. “TWIBA exists to tell these inspiring stories. We are here to facilitate your growth and plug you into an ecosystem that sustains you for generations,” noted Dr Stander.
Echoing these sentiments, Deputy Executive Mayor, Councillor Eugene Modise, acknowledged that TWIBA represents more than just awards; it is a vital platform that recognises the significant impact of Tshwane’s female business owners. He reaffirmed the City’s commitment to the Tshwane Economic Revitalisation Strategy (TERS), which aims to create 80,000 jobs and has already secured R86 billion in investment pledges. With such initiatives where TEDA supports and inspire local SMMEs, the city remains confident that these targets can be met.
In her address to the cohort, the Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya, urged entrepreneurs to redefine innovation. “Innovation is your contribution to advancing humanity,” the mayor stated. “Whether you are improving ingredients or reimagining packaging, your ideas make South Africans’ lives better. You are taking up space and advancing our collective journey of transformation.”
In acknowledging the grit of local entrepreneurs, many of whom operate out of “garages and borrowed paces,” the mayor reaffirmed that the City’s role is to provide the infrastructure and support they deserve.
The mayor challenged the 2026 cohort to build “social capital” and network boldly. “There is no room for shy entrepreneurs,” the mayor remarked, encouraging participants to speak the language of business and demand accountability. In line with this call, she expressed strong support for institutional partnerships like those with the TUT (Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and the Tshwane School for Business and Society). She emphasised that these programmes are vital for equipping entrepreneurs with the necessary skills to elevate their operations to professional, high-standard business entities.
Furthering this sentiment, Dr Patrick Edeo, Head of Academic and Research at the Tshwane School of Business and Society, revealed that the 2026 cohort will gain access to TUT’s annual procurement spend. Now in its 6th edition, the programme has supported over 150 entrepreneurs and is looking to expand its footprint even further. He encouraged the entrepreneurs to commit fully to the programme to ensure they reap its full advantages.
To inspire the new cohort, two alumni of the programme shared their success stories. This included Mapula Ramothwala, a former TWIBA winner in the Manufacturing category, who spoke on how she benefited from the structured support and urged the current winners to participate actively. The onboarding event concluded by highlighting the significance and structure of the 2026 programme. The entrepreneurs in attendance were encouraged to remain committed and take full advantage of the course.