The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) has recognised entrepreneurs and small businesses helping strengthen Cape Town's tourism economy through its Supplier Development and Supplier Excellence Awards.
Source: Supplied | From left to right: Derek Hanekom, former Minister of Tourism, Shannon Boyd, Entrepreneur and Founder of Casbo and Rianda Williams, the Executive Manager for Retail and Ticketing at Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC).
The awards recognise businesses that have strengthened governance, sustainability and operational performance through more than a decade of supplier development.
Building stronger tourism businesses
Hosted in partnership with enterprise and supplier development specialists Siyakha, the awards celebrated local businesses whose resilience, innovation and commitment to excellence continue to strengthen the province's tourism value chain.
The awards mark more than a decade of collaboration between TMACC and Siyakha, supporting entrepreneurs through practical mentorship, business coaching and supplier development.
Participating businesses receive guidance in governance, compliance, financial management, operational planning, branding, pricing, market access and supplier readiness, helping them build more sustainable businesses and compete within formal supply chains.
Selma Hercules, executive director at Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, said the Supplier Development Programme reflects TMACC's commitment to supporting local businesses and building a more resilient tourism economy.
"Our suppliers play an essential role in every visitor's experience on Table Mountain. By investing in their growth, we are strengthening local businesses, deepening long-term partnerships and contributing to a more resilient tourism sector. It is incredibly rewarding to celebrate what these entrepreneurs have achieved and the dedication they continue to show in growing their businesses."
According to Michael Johnstone, lead consultant for small business development at Siyakha, TMACC's Supplier Development Programme is designed to help entrepreneurs move beyond simply running a business towards building sustainable enterprises capable of long-term growth.
"Our role is to equip entrepreneurs with the skills, systems and confidence to grow. We work alongside them on everything from governance and compliance to branding, market expansion and business strategy. The goal is not simply to help them secure one contract, but to support businesses that can continue creating opportunities and jobs well into the future," said Johnstone.
Recognising supplier excellence
Businesses recognised through the Supplier Development Programme included Carlie's Darlings, Halaal Hopper, Ngena eKasi Tours, Vision2 Telecommunications, Ecco Med, NCC Environmental Services, Skona Clothing, Vetkat Art Foundations and Heritage on the Move.
The 12 businesses that participated in the Supplier Excellence Programme improved their average assessment score from 83.3% to 88.5% following targeted mentorship and development support.
Several businesses achieved scores above 90%, while one business achieved a perfect score of 100%, reflecting improvements in governance, operational capability, financial management, service delivery and professionalism.
Award winners included:
• Highest Ranking Award: Vision2 Telecommunications
• Most Improved Award: Woodland Designs
• Environmental Impact Award: Lilly Loompa Creative
• Overall Business Award: Casbo Trading
Resilience and sustainability recognised
Among the evening's standout stories was Shannon Boyd, who founded Casbo Trading after losing everything during the Covid-19 pandemic. Through resilience, determination and a commitment to rebuilding, she has grown Casbo Trading into an award-winning hospitality supplier, earning this year's Overall Business Award.
The Environmental Impact Award recognised Lizl Naude, founder and creative director of Lilly Loompa Creative, whose Klapmuts-based upcycling business transforms waste materials into innovative branded products.
As TMACC approaches its centenary of connecting visitors with one of the world's most iconic natural attractions, the company said it remains committed to ensuring local entrepreneurs continue to share in the opportunities created by Cape Town's tourism economy.
