Supporting Small Business Growth Through Strategic Enterprise Development
South Africa’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are receiving a major boost thanks to OUTsurance’s Kwande Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) Programme. Designed to support and accelerate SME growth within OUTsurance’s supply chain, the programme recently culminated in a Shark Tank-style pitch event where nine innovative finalists competed for a share of R1 million in grant funding.
Launched in 2019 and powered by business development specialists Edge Growth, the Kwande ESD Programme continues to serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurship, innovation, and job creation within South Africa’s automotive and construction industries.
R1 Million Grant Awards: Celebrating 2025’s Top Three SMEs
The highly anticipated OUTsurance Grant Pitch Event took place on 18 July 2025 at the insurer’s head office in Centurion. The top three finalists, all operating in the vehicle repair sector, walked away with funding to scale and develop their businesses:
? End of the Road Panel Beaters (Phoenix, Durban) – R500,000
? Tekton (Western Cape) – R300,000
? Springfield Panel and Paint (Durban) – R200,000
These standout businesses demonstrated not only technical expertise but also strategic vision and the potential for real-world impact in their communities and beyond.
Meet the Winners: Inspiring Stories of Resilience and Innovation
End of the Road Panel Beaters
Founded in 2004 by Robert Ngwane and Siyanda Phirie, this Durban-based business has grown into a trusted name in the auto body repair industry. Specialising in collision repair, spray painting, and panel beating, the company has built long-standing partnerships with fleet managers and insurance firms alike.
Tekton
Operating across Paarl, Worcester, and Wynberg, Tekton is known for delivering high-quality automotive repair and maintenance services. Their scalable business model, coupled with technical excellence, positioned them as a strong contender for second place.
Springfield Panel and Paint
A shining example of female entrepreneurship in the motor industry, this Durban-based workshop was established in 2013 by Rosy Govindasamy. Springfield’s wide range of services—spanning structural repairs, auto body painting, alignment, and insurance claim assistance—demonstrates a customer-first approach rooted in quality and integrity.
Edge Growth and OUTsurance: A Strategic Partnership Driving Results
To date, 62 SMEs have benefited from the Kwande ESD Programme, thanks to a robust partnership between OUTsurance and Edge Growth. While OUTsurance provides the funding and transformation framework, Edge Growth offers hands-on execution—delivering:
Strategic mentorship
Technical skills training
Business model refinement
Access to growth funding
This well-rounded support ensures that participants are not just grant recipients, but sustainable businesses capable of thriving in competitive markets.
A Comprehensive Development Journey for Finalists
The 2025 cohort underwent a rigorous preparation process that included:
Pitch readiness workshops
One-on-one business coaching
Ideation and innovation sessions
These sessions enabled the SMEs to fine-tune their business models, articulate value propositions clearly, and offer practical, scalable solutions to industry-specific challenges.
The final round of pitching was judged by an esteemed panel of industry experts:
Velani Mboweni, CEO and co-founder of LULA Loop
Martin Kingsburgh, Head of Claims Procurement at OUTsurance
Keneiloe Selamolela, Chief Transformation Officer at OUTsurance
Thato Legong, COO of OUTsurance Shared Services
Judges evaluated entries based on innovation, scalability, feasibility, and alignment with OUTsurance’s transformation goals.
Beyond the Pitch: Long-Term Impact on SMEs and Communities
While the R1 million in grant funding was the headline attraction, the broader objective of the Kwande ESD Programme is to build a strong pipeline of empowered SMEs within the OUTsurance value chain. This includes providing access to:
Skills development and mentorship
Market linkages and procurement opportunities
Sustainable financial support
By strengthening these businesses, OUTsurance and Edge Growth are also indirectly uplifting communities, creating jobs, and encouraging economic transformation at the grassroots level.
Conclusion: Building South Africa’s Future Through SME Empowerment
The success of the 2025 OUTsurance Kwande ESD pitch event is a testament to the potential of South African entrepreneurs when given the right tools, guidance, and opportunity. Programmes like Kwande not only fuel business growth but also serve as a beacon of what’s possible when corporate social investment is strategically aligned with enterprise development.
As these businesses continue to scale and impact their communities, they embody the resilience and creativity that South Africa’s economy needs for inclusive and lasting progress.
