After 16 weeks of nail-biting competition, the 2025 Nedbank Pitch & Polish season came to a thrilling conclusion with a life-changing win for Gauteng entrepreneur Prudence Mabaso, founder of The Kitchen Wrap Company. Prudence walked away with the top prize worth R1 million, made up of R650 000 in cash and a R350 000 bursary for a two-year Raizcorp business-incubation programme.
Now in its 15th year, Nedbank Pitch & Polish, powered by title sponsor Nedbank and organised by business incubator Raizcorp, has become one of South Africa’s most impactful entrepreneurial competitions, combining high-stakes pitching with one-on-one mentorship and real-world learning. This season drew over 2 200 entries and racked up 10 million online views as audiences followed the 16 eager contestants (plus a wildcard entry!) as they pitched their way through multiple eliminations to reach the final.
A business born from resilience
Prudence’s company is transforming the home renovation industry with an innovative “no-dust-and-no-demolition” kitchen wrapping solution that upgrades tired kitchen cabinets and other cupboards, giving them a stylish, modern makeover in a fraction of the usual time. But behind the polished winning pitch lies a deeply personal story.
“I honestly couldn’t believe it when they called my name,” Prudence recalls. “This win is the validation of years of persistence – starting this business when I was unemployed and a single mom, pushing forward when resources were scarce, and finding a way to turn an idea into something real. It’s proof that resilience and faith can turn obstacles into stepping stones.”
Reflecting on her Nedbank Pitch & Polish journey, Prudence added, “The most valuable lesson I learned from the competition was the importance of focus and positioning. The judges challenged me to ensure that my core product cabinet and cupboard wrapping remain the hero of my story, even when introducing new offerings. It taught me that growth doesn’t mean diluting your identity; it’s about showing how every addition strengthens your main value proposition.”
She plans to use the prize money to buy bulk inventory, boosting margins and enabling faster scaling, while also launching a proprietary range of interior vinyl films and a new tech platform, Renvr, to streamline quoting, bookings, and project management. Her five-year vision? To make The Kitchen Wrap Company the continent’s go-to name for premium, non-invasive renovations.
Celebrating the runners-up
KwaZulu-Natal entrepreneur Blessing Sithole, founder of Bakers Creationz, claimed second place and R100 000 in cash. Known for his modern interpretation of nostalgic snowball cakes with over 6 000 selling each week through national retailers, Blessing charmed audiences with his authenticity and passion. “The toughest part was learning to simplify my story. But I’ve learned that clarity beats complexity, and that lesson will stay with me forever,” he says. The prize money will fuel his rebrand and marketing drive to grow his retail footprint.
Wildcard entrants Langelihle Zulu and Tshega Mampshika, co-founders of AlgoAtWork Robotics Academy, delivered their first and only pitch in the competition’s final episode and placed third, walking away with R50 000 in cash.
Backing South Africa’s entrepreneurs
Allon Raiz, CEO of Raizcorp, praised the calibre of this year’s contestants, saying, “Each pitch showcased not unique solutions to real-world challenges, but also the extraordinary resilience of South African entrepreneurs. We are proud to support visionaries like Prudence and Blessing as they take their next steps towards building sustainable businesses and creating jobs in their communities.”
This year’s competition not only highlighted the grit and creativity of South Africa’s entrepreneurs but also the powerful role of partnerships in nurturing their journeys. From bold ideas to tested business models, the stories shared on the Nedbank Pitch & Polish stage underscored the importance of backing entrepreneurs with both inspiration and practical support.
“Judging this year’s contestants has been the toughest yet the standard was fierce, the resilience undeniable,” says Monique Chinnah, Senior Manager, Segment Design & Development, Private & Wealth, Nedbank. “What stood out most were the fresh shoots of possibility breaking through week after week, especially from women entrepreneurs who are reshaping families, communities, and industries. And this is why at Nedbank we don’t just sponsor entrepreneurs, we stand with them, practically, on their journey. Because when people of all genders, backgrounds, and ideas bring their strengths to the table, we grow more than businesses – we grow a stronger South Africa.”
