Twenty outstanding winners. One national celebration. A new chapter for small business.
South Africa's top small business owners and entrepreneurs will take centre stage on Thursday, 12 November, when the winners of the country's prestigious national entrepreneurial awards are crowned at the 18th South African Small Business Awards National Gala Breakfast.
Taking place at Silverstar Casino in Johannesburg, the event will bring together entrepreneurs, business leaders and leading national brands to recognise the achievements of South Africans who have built successful businesses, often against considerable odds.
Organised by NSBC Africa, the Awards have been celebrating entrepreneurial achievement for 18 years, recognising the people whose businesses contribute to economic growth, employment and their communities.
The 2026 Top 20 Small Business Award Winners have already been announced. Each has earned a place among this year's outstanding entrepreneurs and is in contention for one or more national honours.
The winners of the National Small Business Champion, Entrepreneur Champion, Woman in Business Champion and Startup Champion titles, together with the Special National Awards, will be announced live at the Gala Breakfast.
Mike Anderson, founder and CEO of NSBC Africa, says the Awards are an opportunity to recognise the people behind the businesses: “Over the past 18 years, I've had the privilege of meeting thousands of entrepreneurs across South Africa. I've seen their determination, the sacrifices they've made and what it takes to keep a business going when things get tough.
“Behind every successful small business is someone who took a chance and refused to give up. These are people who create opportunities, support families, employ people and make a difference in their communities. They deserve to be celebrated.”
A new chapter for Small Business Friday
This year's Awards will also see NSBC Africa make a major national announcement about the future of Small Business Friday, an initiative aimed at encouraging South Africans to support small businesses.
Under the banner Shop small. Grow South Africa, NSBC Africa plans to build a stronger national movement that brings consumers, businesses and leading brands together to help small businesses attract more customers, increase sales and create jobs.
“South Africa cannot build a stronger economy without stronger small businesses,” says Anderson. “We talk a great deal about the importance of entrepreneurship, but small businesses need more than words of encouragement. They need customers. They need opportunities. They need support that makes a real difference.
“If more South Africans choose to spend with small businesses, even a little more often, the impact could be enormous. More customers mean more sales, stronger businesses and ultimately more jobs. That's what we want to achieve through Small Business Friday. We want to turn support for small business into something that South Africans actively participate in.”
Anderson believes the two initiatives complement each other. “The Awards celebrate entrepreneurial success. Small Business Friday is about helping create more of it.”
Celebrating South Africa's entrepreneurs
The National Gala Breakfast will feature the live crowning of the 2026 National Champions, entrepreneurial success stories, entertainment, prizes and opportunities for guests to connect with business owners, CEOs and industry leaders.
For the entrepreneurs being recognised, the occasion represents an important milestone in their business journeys. The event also provides an opportunity to acknowledge the role of established businesses in supporting entrepreneurship.
NSBC Africa recognises the national brands supporting the 2026 Awards:
Absa | Avis | Canal+ | CIPC | Credit Guarantee | MTN | Nuvion | Old Mutual Insure | Sage | Sappi | Toyota | TransUnion
“There's something very special about bringing entrepreneurs together to celebrate what they've achieved,” says Anderson. “Running a business isn't easy. It takes courage, commitment and an enormous amount of hard work. These Awards are our opportunity to recognise that effort and remind entrepreneurs that what they're doing matters. South Africa needs its entrepreneurs more than ever. Let's celebrate them, support them and help them succeed.”
Event details
Event: 18th South African Small Business Awards National Gala Breakfast
Date: Thursday, 12 November 2026
Time: 8.30am
Venue: Platinum Ballroom, Silverstar Casino, Johannesburg
Tickets: R395 per person
Bookings: Click here.
Meet the 2026 Top 20 winners.
