Small enterprises from health to construction share prizes and attention at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth
The 2026 Western Cape edition of the Bambelela Business Awards recognised 20 entrepreneurs whose ventures the organisers said demonstrate resilience, innovation and local community impact. The awards ceremony, held at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town, took place under the theme “Empowered MSMEs, Empower Communities” and formed part of broader efforts to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the province.
According to the event organisers, the programme provides winners with a mix of direct funding, business support, skills development, networking opportunities, market access and equipment to help expand operations and strengthen local economies.
- Funding and grants
- Business mentoring and skills development
- Market access and networking opportunities
- Exhibition and publicity support
The overall winner was Zola Mbaxa, founder of the audiology practice Just Hearing, who received a top grant of R145 000. In second place, Puleng Babe of Basadi Ambulance received R115 000, while Cikizwa Vanana from Kuyenzeka Amalgamated Projects took third place with R70 000. Organisers also awarded an additional R19 500 across special prizes including best exhibition stand and social media categories.
“Winning the Bambelela Business Awards is an incredible honour and a meaningful milestone for Just Hearing. This recognition is a reminder that businesses built with purpose can make a real difference in people’s lives,”
The quote above was attributed to Mbaxa by the event reporting. The Hollywood Foundation, which oversees the awards, said the gala formed part of its ongoing efforts to support MSMEs and celebrate sustainable entrepreneurial activity.
What the winners do and why it matters locally
Just Hearing is described in the event literature as an independent, South African-owned audiology practice offering hearing tests, hearing-aid services and repairs, ear-wax removal, occupational health services and newborn screening. Basadi Ambulance operates in emergency medical transport, while Kuyenzeka Amalgamated Projects is involved in construction and related services. The diversity of sectors represented illustrates how MSMEs across health, emergency services and building trades contribute to service delivery and local employment.
For many small firms, the combination of immediate grant funding and access to networks can be decisive. Event organisers pointed to the awards as a way to move businesses beyond survival mode into planned growth by addressing capital constraints, skills gaps and market-entry barriers.
| Placing | Business | Founder | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Just Hearing | Zola Mbaxa | R145 000 |
| 2nd | Basadi Ambulance | Puleng Babe | R115 000 |
| 3rd | Kuyenzeka Amalgamated Projects | Cikizwa Vanana | R70 000 |
| Special prizes | Various winners | R19 500 | |
Practical value and next steps for winners
Organisers reported that grant funding is intended for operational expansion, capacity building and improved service delivery. Winners can expect follow-up business support from the foundation’s programme, including mentorship and access to markets that may help them win larger contracts or scale employment.
For entrepreneurs across the Western Cape, the awards also provide publicity that can attract clients and partners. The combination of cash and non-financial support addresses two of the most persistent constraints for early-stage firms: access to capital and to networks that create sustainable demand.
While the awards highlight success stories, they also point to the broader ecosystem challenge: many MSMEs continue to struggle with late payments, limited access to affordable finance and regulatory hurdles. Programmes such as Bambelela aim to mitigate those barriers on a project level, but organisers acknowledge systemic interventions from both provincial and national government remain critical.
By recognising enterprises operating in frontline services such as healthcare and emergency response, the awards underline the social as well as economic role of small businesses in Cape Town and the wider Western Cape.
The Hollywood Foundation hosted the gala and announced winners at the event. Detailed lists of all 20 awardees and the criteria used were published by the organisers at the ceremony.
