The second annual Sapics SME Pitch Parade culminated at the 48th annual Sapics Conference in Cape Town, where supply chain management consultancy and technology provider ShyftUp Consulting took top honours after competing against two other finalists.
Source: Supplied | From left to right: Cobus Rossouw (head judge), Revaj Gianchand (CEVA Logistics), Alan van Vuuren (B2Wise), 2026 winner Neshwin Buddan (ShyftUp Consulting), Candice Liebenberg (DSV), 2025 winner Nyeko Mathebula (Procure Africa) and Deji Ogunye from sponsor Salient Advisory.
Launched by the supply chain industry body in 2025, the competition supports small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) operating in South Africa's supply chain sector. It is open to SMMEs with a turnover of less than R10m.
This year's competition attracted 21 entrants. They were assessed by a panel of respected judges led by head judge Cobus Rossouw and supported by Nyeko Mathebula from 2025 winner Procure Africa, Deji Ogunye from competition sponsor Salient Advisory, Revah Gianchand of CEVA Logistics, Candice Liebenberg of DSV, Alan van Vuuren of B2Wise and Elaine Stout.
Three finalists compete for top honours
Three finalists were selected:
• Neshwin Buddan, ShyftUp Consulting
• Vanya Jansen, Optigrow
• Elmarie Van Noorden, Futuretend
The finalists were invited to attend the conference in Cape Town, with flights and accommodation included. Those who did not make the finals were awarded individual Sapics memberships as a token of recognition.
With a first prize valued at R80,000 up for grabs, the finalists took the stage during the closing session of the conference to present their solutions to an expert panel of judges.
Each finalist had five minutes to present, followed by a Q&A session with the judging panel. Conference delegates were then invited to vote for their favourite via the conference app.
Following the presentations and audience voting, Neshwin Buddan of ShyftUp Consulting was announced as the winner. The runners-up each received prizes valued at R10,000, including Sapics SME membership.
Supporting supply chain SMMEs
The 2026 competition was sponsored by healthcare consulting firm Salient Advisory.
Commenting on the sponsorship and the importance of the competition, which is now a firm fixture on the conference programme, Salient Advisory director Deji Ogunye says: “At Salient, we know how critical strong supply chains are to effective healthcare delivery. We’re proud to have sponsored the SAPICS SME Pitch Parade and to hear the innovative solutions put forward by this year’s finalists. The calibre of the ideas and the challenges they are tackling show why providing the resources and support for SMEs in the supply chain sector matters."
Delighted with the results of the competition, this year's winner Neshwin Buddan says that he can’t believe that ShyftUp took top honours.
“We are still taking it all in. We are truly humbled by this SAPICS award, and we are exceptionally grateful that industry leaders recognise our platform’s potential. This exposure will help us scale, drive meaningful impact and help fulfil our mission to empower SMMEs across Africa.”
Building capacity among small businesses
According to Sapics, the success of small businesses, which are the backbone of South Africa's economy, is being jeopardised by a lack of resources, skills and support in the critical area of supply chain management.
The Pitch Parade is one of the initiatives that the not-for-profit industry body uses to address this. Through its SME membership and the Sapics Small Business Hub, the organisation helps small businesses grow and prosper by offering tailored education, training and skills development.
Sapics also acts as a valuable conduit for corporate businesses to support SMMEs and participate in the development of their suppliers. A Sapics SMME Support Line enables small business owners to get advice and assistance.
