Durban entrepreneurs and creatives received more than R800 000 in enterprise development support, recognising businesses creating jobs, expanding markets and strengthening the city’s local economy overall.
The eThekwini Municipality recognised entrepreneurs, small businesses and fashion creatives at the 2026 Durban Business Fair Excellence Awards at the Durban Exhibition Centre on 19 September.
The event brought together three of the city’s entrepreneurship platforms: the Durban Business Fair, Lions’ Den Business Plan Competition and Durban Fashion Fair Recognition Awards.
Rather than recognition alone, winners received enterprise development support that can be used towards equipment and other business needs, with individual prizes ranging from R10 000 to R60 000.
Across the combined programmes, more than R800 000 is being directed towards enterprise development alongside opportunities for businesses to gain market access and strengthen their operations.
The Lions’ Den Business Plan Competition attracted 121 applications and recognised entrepreneurs at different stages of business development.
Sparkle n’ Glow won the Emerging Business category, with Creative Tech named runner-up. Super Clean Tekkie Wash won the Established Business category, followed by Thandimpumelelo Hardware.
Msuthukazi Group received the Entrepreneurship Excellence Award, with Waterloo Blocks named runner-up.
The competition forms part of a broader business-development programme that provides participating entrepreneurs with mentorship, business coaching and funding support aimed at helping businesses move towards sustainable growth.
The Durban Business Fair Excellence Awards recognised Plastimed Packaging as the overall DBF Excellence Award winner.
MM Clothing received the Rural and Township Based Business Award, while Amazizi Leatherworks received the Women Owned Business Award.
The Youth Owned Business Award was shared by Magaga Media and Communications and Grace Academy High School.
The fashion sector was also recognised through the Durban Fashion Fair Recognition Awards, extending the enterprise-development focus into Durban’s creative economy.
Zwandy won Best Ladieswear Collection, while House of Vyagor Louvre received Best Menswear Collection and Kireshen Chetty was named Collection of the Week.
Sibu Msimang was named Durban Designer of the Year, while Martin Bespoke received the Fashion Innovator Award.
Nellie D Designs received the Next Generation and Emerging Durban Designer Award, with Karen Monk Klijnstra and Mita-N Dezynz receiving Special Recognition Awards.
The Rising Star awards went to Hendeika Booi, Sindiswa Khomo and Lerato Mabesa, while the New Face awards recognised Noxolo Ndabambi, Awande Khuzwayo and Lindokuhle Mnqayi.
The fashion programme forms part of a longer-term effort to develop designers as businesses rather than only creative talent.
The 2026 Durban Fashion Fair featured approximately 84 designers, including 20 emerging designers from its mentorship programme, while buyers and industry professionals attended the showcase to identify talent and explore opportunities for collaboration and market access.
Addressing approximately 1 000 guests at the awards, eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba said supporting micro, small and medium enterprises forms part of the municipality’s efforts to broaden participation in Durban’s economy.
“Tonight, we recognise excellence, but we also reaffirm our commitment to micro, small, and medium enterprises development, economic inclusion, and broader participation in the eThekwini economy,” Xaba said.
For the businesses receiving support, the value extends beyond the awards ceremony.
Funding for equipment can help businesses increase production, improve operations or strengthen their ability to serve larger markets, while exposure through platforms such as the Durban Business Fair can connect entrepreneurs with customers, buyers and potential partners.
Previous participants have credited the Durban Business Fair with helping them gain visibility, build credibility, expand their businesses and access opportunities beyond their existing markets.
The more than R800 000 committed through this year’s combined initiative therefore represents an investment in businesses that can contribute to employment, local supply chains and greater economic participation across eThekwini.
For Durban’s entrepreneurs and creatives, the challenge after receiving recognition is turning the additional resources, exposure and connections into businesses capable of sustaining jobs and generating longer-term economic value.
