The Festival of Entrepreneurship is fast becoming one of the most important drivers of business growth and transformation for South Africa and across the continent.
This year’s festival was themed around energy, agriculture, industrialisation, integration and quality of life, which are the African Development Bank’s five priorities.
It brought together more than 300 aspiring and established entrepreneurs, funders, mentors and ecosystem builders under one roof at the Marriott Hotel at Melrose Arch, Johannesburg.
At the centre of it all is a strong belief that entrepreneurship is not just about hustling or surviving, it is a strategic tool for transforming communities, creating jobs and reshaping the economy from the ground up.
Ronni Mbatane, the managing director for SMEs at ABSA Group, said the festival spoke directly to the heartbeat of the South African economy.
“Small businesses aren’t just participants in the economy; they are the economy. This festival is built to open doors. It connects ideas with opportunity, funding with founders, and most importantly, people with purpose.”
That connection was felt by Sharon Ngwenya, a founder from Soweto who’s building a sustainable packaging business, The Packing Source Pty Ltd.
“When you’re building something in the township, it can feel like no one sees you. But being here, networking with investors, pitching my business, made me realise I have something real. I left with more confidence than I came with,” she said.
Monwabisi Mokoena, who runs tech training company Mokoena Technologies, Pty Ltd, said there was a need for platforms like this one.
“I didn’t just meet potential investors, I met people who understand the grind, people I can build with. It’s not just about capital, it’s about community. I have gained confidence in this festival, and going back home, I will add fuel to my business to do better and create more job opportunities.”
Indeed, while capital remains a major hurdle for many entrepreneurs, the festival is trying to shift that narrative.
With sessions like investor speed-dating, mentorship matchups and panel discussions that go beyond fluff, attendees walked away with more than motivation. They left with contacts, leads and in some cases, real offers on the table.
Township economy advocate and Township Entrepreneurs Alliance (TEA) founder Bulelani Balabala stressed that these kinds of platforms needed to continue expanding into underserved areas.
“We can’t afford for township entrepreneurs to be left behind. We must keep elevating them, showing them that their ideas matter and giving them the resources to run with it,” Balabala said.
