Author Archives: Khotso Kholopane

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19 Oct 2026

Celebrating Four Awards at the 3rd International BIWA Conference 2026

Lepharo is proud to celebrate four awards received at the recent 3rd International BIWA Conference 2026, held in East London. Recognised in four of the 11 award categories, these achievements highlight our commitment to enterprise development, sustainability and the growth of township-based businesses.

Recognising Excellence in Business Incubation

Lepharo achieved the following national results:

  • Winner: Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) / Sustainability Champion
  • Winner: Best Performing Township-Based Centre
  • 2nd Place: Successfully Scalable Centre
  • 3rd Place: Best Performing Technology Business Incubator (TBI)

Together, these awards recognise several connected aspects of our work: supporting entrepreneurs, strengthening sustainable enterprises, expanding opportunities within township economies and enabling technology-based business development.

Supporting Entrepreneurs and Communities

At the heart of Lepharo’s work is a commitment to helping small, medium and micro enterprises build the capabilities they need to grow.

For entrepreneurs, access to appropriate guidance, resources and business development support can make a meaningful difference. These awards reinforce our commitment to providing that support and creating an environment in which businesses can develop, compete and contribute to their local economies.

Winning Best Performing Township-Based Centre is a particularly proud achievement. It recognises the importance of nurturing entrepreneurial potential within township communities and supporting businesses where they are rooted.

A Shared Achievement

This recognition is a collective achievement made possible by our dedicated team, valued members, committed partners and the entrepreneurs we serve.

To our members and partners, thank you for your strategic guidance, advice and continued trust. Your support helps us navigate the complexities of SMME economic development and strengthen our work.

We also acknowledge the entrepreneurs whose ambition, resilience and hard work inspire us every day. Their progress remains central to our purpose.

Building on This Momentum

As we celebrate these milestones, we remain focused on the work ahead: strengthening our programmes, deepening partnerships and helping more entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses.

These four awards are a proud moment for Lepharo and an encouragement to continue contributing to enterprise development and inclusive economic growth.

Thank you to everyone who is part of the Lepharo journey.

Author Khotso Kholopane
23 Feb 2026

Strengthening SMMEs Through Incubation and Business Coaching

At Lepharo Incubation Programme NPC, our mission is clear: to build compliant, competitive, and sustainable SMMEs that can thrive in South Africa’s evolving economy.

A powerful example of this impact is Delivered Pty Ltd, a North West-based enterprise led by Mr Thabang Nhlapo, who was recently shortlisted in the Top 20 entrepreneurs across the North West Province in the Mr Price Foundation Entrepreneur Competition.

This milestone reflects not just participation — but readiness to compete at a provincial level.

Competing Among the Best

The competition required entrepreneurs to develop and pitch a structured presentation covering:

  • Business Model Canvas

  • Innovation and ideation

  • Strategic growth planning

  • Operational sustainability

Delivered Pty Ltd distinguished itself among the entire provincial delegation, earning a place in the Top 20 — a significant achievement in a highly competitive environment.

Although the company did not advance to the Top 3 finalists, the recognition affirms the strength of its business foundations and long-term growth strategy.

How Lepharo’s Business Incubation Programme Made the Difference

Through Lepharo’s structured incubation and business development support, Delivered Pty Ltd strengthened critical areas of the business, including:

✅ Business model refinement
✅ Financial discipline and reporting
✅ Compliance and governance
✅ Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) standards
✅ Ethical business practices

This comprehensive support ensured that when the opportunity to pitch at a provincial level arose, the business was prepared, confident, and aligned with best practice standards.

Lepharo’s incubation approach goes beyond training — it builds operational maturity and market readiness.

A Testament to Sustainable SMME Growth

Reflecting on the achievement, Mr Thabang Nhlapo shared:

“Being shortlisted in the Top 20 of the North West Province for the Mr Price Foundation Entrepreneur Competition was a major milestone for Delivered Pty Ltd. The business coaching and mentorship received through Lepharo strengthened our business model, compliance, financial discipline, and HSE standards. Although we did not reach the Top 3, this achievement affirmed our growth and readiness to compete at a higher level. Lepharo’s support has positioned us for sustainable success.”

Looking Ahead: Building Competitive North West Businesses

Being shortlisted in the Top 20 is not just a milestone — it is a signal of long-term potential.

As Delivered Pty Ltd continues its growth journey, Lepharo remains committed to supporting entrepreneurs across North West and beyond with:

  • Business coaching

  • Compliance support

  • Market readiness preparation

  • Financial and governance strengthening

Success for us is not only about winning competitions — it is about building resilient, compliant, and scalable enterprises that contribute meaningfully to South Africa’s economy.

Author Khotso Kholopane
04 Dec 2024

AWRE Wins Prestigious National Presidential Homegrown MSME Awards

AWRE Wins Prestigious National Presidential Homegrown MSME Award for Innovative Road Tar Solution

The Lepharo Incubation Programme proudly congratulates All Weather Roads Engineering (AWRE), one of its most innovative SMMEs, for achieving a significant milestone. On November 22, 2024, AWRE received the Homegrown MSME Award (Innovation) at the prestigious Presidential MSME and Cooperatives Awards held at Gallagher Estate. This award celebrates AWRE’s groundbreaking contributions to local manufacturing and its unique approach to leveraging South African resources and expertise.

Transforming Infrastructure with Innovation

AWRE’s game-changing innovation lies in the development of resilient road tar, a revolutionary product that has captured international attention. This tar, designed for superior durability and adaptability, has now been approved for use in international markets, marking a significant achievement for South African engineering and manufacturing.

The product is set to undergo trial implementations in Europe and North America, providing an opportunity to showcase its exceptional performance in diverse environmental conditions. These trials are not only a step toward global commercialization but also an avenue to further South Africa’s footprint in global infrastructure development.  The trials will also provide opportunity for South African technical providers to be based at the trial stations.

A Gateway for South African Expertise

The international trials of AWRE’s resilient road tar will create opportunities for South African technical service providers to establish themselves at trial stations abroad. This initiative includes deploying specialized teams to oversee and support the trials, ensuring excellence in:

  • Technical Support Services
  • Regulatory Compliance (Quality Control and Assurance)
  • Intellectual Property Protection
  • Commercialization and Investor Engagement

This strategic move aligns with AWRE’s vision to integrate South African expertise into global markets, further positioning the country as a leader in innovative infrastructure solutions.

Driving Global Investment and Collaboration

The success of AWRE’s innovative road tar has attracted the interest of international investors, opening doors for further funding and partnership opportunities. This recognition not only highlights the ingenuity of AWRE but also underscores the potential of South African SMMEs to drive impactful innovation on a global stage.

A Beacon of Resilience and Progress

In accepting the award, Emmanuel Mothabi, Managing Director of AWRE, expressed deep gratitude for the recognition and shared his excitement for the future. “This award is a testament to the resilience, innovation, and excellence that define our team. We are excited to expand our impact globally while proudly showcasing South African ingenuity,” he said.

AWRE’s achievement is more than just an accolade—it’s a bold step toward transforming global infrastructure with South African innovation. This milestone also reinforces the critical role of SMMEs in driving economic growth, job creation, and international collaboration.

Congratulations, AWRE, on this remarkable achievement. The Lepharo Incubation Programme is honoured to be part of your journey and looks forward to supporting your continued success as you pave the way—literally and figuratively—on a global scale.

Author Khotso Kholopane
06 Mar 2024

Talk Up Africa – Mining

Please join us on the 7th of March at 13h00 SAST for an exclusive dialogue showcasing prominent figures within the mining sector during Episode 5 of Talking UP Africa . https://lnkd.in/ev-zNZR7

This immersive discussion guarantees to offer an enlightening exploration of the mineral-abundant landscapes across the continent, highlighting the factors propelling advancements, transformations, and notably, the social and economic ramifications for Africans.

The dialogue will also include our CEO, Mr Zenzo Nkomo on the panel.

We will see you there.

Author Khotso Kholopane
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