Tendering has become a vital pathway for South African entrepreneurs and small business owners to secure crucial contracts and expand their market presence. By bidding on projects offered by public institutions and private entities, emerging businesses can compete in sectors traditionally dominated by larger firms.
Lerato Sebata, founder and CEO of the ROI Group, emphasized at the Tender Success Summit the need for education in the tendering process. “Many struggle with completing tender documents due to a lack of understanding,” she said. To address this, Sebata began creating educational YouTube videos and hosting summits to guide entrepreneurs on compliance, tax, and contract requirements.
A key challenge, she noted, is businesses failing to meet procurement specifications or submitting non-compliant paperwork, which disqualifies them from consideration. Experts at the Grow Impact summit also highlighted the importance of financial record-keeping and tax compliance to avoid penalties.
Attendees reported gaining valuable insights, with one entrepreneur stating, “The summit was eye-opening—it revealed gaps in how I run my business.” However, critics warn that corruption and lack of transparency in tendering processes remain obstacles.
Despite challenges, the initiative aims to foster generational businesses that can help alleviate poverty by creating sustainable employment. As Sebata put it, “We need to build businesses that endure beyond the founder.”
