BAMBELELA BUSINESS AWARDS AT MEROPA CASINO

The prestigious awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of local entrepreneurs, highlighting businesses that have made a transformative impact on their communities and played a pivotal role in job creation throughout the province.

The awards not only celebrate business excellence but also serve as a vital platform, providing support, mentorship, and resources to entrepreneurs who are making a meaningful impact in their communities.

The Bambelela Business Awards were launched in 2023 in Mpumalanga and have since been successfully hosted in Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Western Cape. Over the past two years, the initiative has supported 140 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) with more than R5.7 million in funding. This year, the competition returned to Limpopo for the second consecutive year, with the total prize pool increasing to R1 million, up from R750,000 in 2024.

The increase underscores the foundation’s ongoing commitment to empowering and uplifting local businesses. The awards ceremony included an Exhibition and Seminar, providing an opportunity for selected small businesses to showcase their innovative work to the public.

A panel of esteemed judges carefully evaluate the entries, selecting the businesses that exhibited exceptional creativity, merit, and community impact.

Babongile Mkhize, Group Transformation Manager for the Hollywoodbets said, “The Bambelela Business Awards are more than just a recognition of entrepreneurial achievement – they are a testament to the strength and perseverance of Limpopo’s business community. Hollywoodbets, through our Foundation, are thrilled to continue supporting and celebrating the local entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of a community we are proud to operate in, and to see the growth and success of the businesses we have already assisted through this initiative.” The awards took place on 23 January 2025 at Meropa Casino in Polokwane.