From BMW paint specialist to R1m competition winner: Here’s how the entrepreneur plans to use the cash
He was raised in Venda and later moved to Soshanguve to further his studies.
In 2014, Rodney Maduwa launched his paint business, Maduwa Paint World, but it wasn't until 2019 that he dedicated himself fully to the venture after leaving his job. Born in Venda, Limpopo, the 38-year-old entrepreneur is the proud winner of the 2026 Standard Bank Kasi SME National Pitch Challenge, an initiative aimed at supporting township small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Maduwa Paint World specializes in decorative and industrial coatings, and is in the process of establishing a local acrylic emulsion manufacturing facility to lessen reliance on imported raw materials.
The competition, which celebrated its fourth anniversary, is held annually in a different province, with this year's event taking place in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, on 27 August 2026. Maduwa emerged victorious at the Gauteng provincial level, securing his spot as the province's representative. He first started his business in a five-square-metre shack in Soshanguve but now aims to relocate to an emulsion manufacturing plant.
Maduwa has always harbored an entrepreneurial spirit, dating back to his time at the University of South Africa (Unisa). After studying there, he moved to Pretoria to gain industry experience and eventually left his job in 2019 to focus on his business full-time. This decision, while difficult due to financial obligations such as bond repayments and vehicle finance, was driven by his passion for entrepreneurship.
The R1 million cash prize won at the competition will enable Maduwa to expand his business by investing in an emulsion plant and automating the production process. This will create approximately 12 jobs and potentially generate over R650,000 in monthly revenue. Additionally, the prize will help replenish the company's contingency fund, which has suffered due to the investment in the new plant in Pretoria.
The judges, including Lesiba Lamola from Sappi, evaluated the finalists based on entrepreneurial excellence, commercial viability, scalability, market opportunity, financial sustainability, and community impact. They acknowledged that all the participating SMEs were deserving of the win at the provincial level, but Maduwa's business stood out due to its clear mission and ambitious growth plans.
The competition has become an essential platform for nurturing and showcasing the entrepreneurial talent emerging from South Africa's township economies.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
