The highly anticipated National Township Economy Awards (TEA) 2025 will be taking place on 22 November 2025 in the City of Ekurhuleni, Tembisa, preceded by the 7th Annual Township Economy Summit, on 20th and 21st November. The 2025 edition will have a greater focus on showcasing excellence, unlocking opportunities, and strengthening collaboration within the township economy. Entrepreneurs will be able to apply for recognition across a range of categories that showcase the depth and diversity of township business, including:
- Agricultural Excellence Award
- Construction Champion Award
- Creative, Arts & Culture Award
- Entrepreneur with Disability Award
- Food & Beverage Award
- Green Economy Award
- Health & Wellness Award
- Manufacturing Excellence Award
- Professional Services Award
- Retail Excellence Award
- Service Excellence Award
- Social & Community Impact Award
- Technology & Innovation Award
- Transport Award
- Special Awards: Male Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Female Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Award entries opened in September and will close on 5 October 2025. South African registered and owned businesses based and operating in the township can apply for the awards. Apply on the Township Economy Awards website. The awards will be hosted after the annual Township Economy Summit on 22 November 2025.
Highlighting Unique Achievements
The awards also feature a Special Awards Category that attendees can look forward to. These include:
- The Chairman’s Award, last year presented to Thulani Ntshuntshe, celebrates entrepreneurs whose journeys epitomise resilience and transformation.
- The Lifetime Achievement Award, last year awarded to Dr. T. Mazwai and Ritha Zwane, honours pioneers whose work has left a permanent mark on township economies.
“City of Ekurhuleni Together, the Awards and the Summit create a powerful ecosystem; one that recognises and celebrates township entrepreneurial excellence, and the other that focuses on policy, industry engagements, and small business exhibitions,” says a spokesperson for TEA.
The team believes that these Awards present a powerful opportunity for township entrepreneurs to benefit from:
Brand Visibility and Association: Aligning their brand with innovation, transformation and entrepreneurial excellence.
Networking and Engagement: Direct access to government, corporates, township entrepreneurs and key economic stakeholders.
Thought Leadership and Impact: Positioning their businesses as champions of inclusive growth and township economic development.
“The Township Economy Awards stand as a bold testament to the untapped potential thriving just beyond the spotlight. These awards celebrate the township economy as the powerful driver for economic transformation. Township enterprises form the backbone of South Africa’s economy,” the representative contineued. “They are adaptive and rooted in the community. Yet, they remain largely overlooked by mainstream policy and capital. The Awards bring these businesses into the light, validating their contribution to job creation, local resilience and economic dynamism. Beyond sentiment, the Awards wield measurable impact: winners gain visibility, attract market access opportunities and forge partnerships. Through categories that span social impact, manufacturing, creative arts and more, these awards stimulate real sales growth and generate sustaining capital for township entrepreneurs.”
“For the past decade, TEA has played a pivotal role in shaping South Africa’s township entrepreneurship landscape, consistently delivering tangible impact. To date, over 100 000 entrepreneurs have benefited from their training and support programme, while more than 500 township-based businesses have received funding and growth assistance. Through a combination of workshops, skills development, research, and financial support, TEA continues to uplift entrepreneurs who are often overlooked by mainstream platforms yet are building thriving businesses within their own communities.
Don’t miss your opportunity to apply now, or attend the summit.
