Market Update: We break down the business implications, market impact, and expert insights related to Market Update: Entrepreneurs unite at Durban Business Fair to drive local economy – Full Analysis.
Rakesh Ramdhin|Published
When the doors open at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 30 April to 2 May, hundreds of entrepreneurs will gather for the 28th Durban Business Fair, a flagship initiative of the eThekwini Municipality that has spent nearly three decades helping small businesses connect with markets, investors and opportunity.
For many exhibitors, the annual fair represents far more than a trade event. It is a platform for dreams, perseverance and the possibility of growth in an often challenging business landscape.
This year’s theme, “28 Years of Connecting SMMEs to Markets and Opportunities”, speaks to the fair’s enduring impact. Since its launch in 1998, more than 40,000 businesses have participated, engaging with over 130,000 buyers and visitors while helping to create more than 21,000 sustainable jobs.
Among the entrepreneurs preparing to showcase their work is Mohammed Rishaad Joosab, founder of Plastimed Packaging, a Durban-based manufacturer producing custom plastic packaging using recycled materials.
For Joosab, the business fair is an opportunity to share a mission that goes beyond manufacturing. “These platforms are important because they allow us to showcase our products and services, network with other businesses and meet potential customers and suppliers,” he explained.
Plastimed was built with small businesses in mind. Joosab says many start-ups struggle when large suppliers demand massive minimum orders before they can access packaging. “For someone starting a business from home, being told they must order 20,000 units before they can even launch is discouraging,” he said. “We focus on flexibility, even small quantities, so entrepreneurs can start and grow.”
Nine years after its founding, Plastimed now supplies packaging to industries ranging from food and cosmetics to automotive and pharmaceuticals. The company hopes the business fair will open doors to new partnerships and customers while promoting its environmentally conscious approach to recycled plastics.
Just as determined to build connections is civil engineering consultant Anele Mabhoza, founder of Mabhoza Engineers in Hillcrest. Launched in 2022, the firm specialises in civil engineering consulting, project management and building construction services. Mabhoza says the Durban Business Fair offers a crucial opportunity for newer companies trying to establish their presence.
“Platforms like this are vital for small and emerging businesses,” he said. “They give entrepreneurs direct access to markets, networks and potential investors that would otherwise be difficult to reach.”
What sets his company apart, Mabhoza believes, is its commitment to supporting smaller construction businesses as well. “Many subcontractors struggle because they lack financial capital or technical guidance,” he explained. “Our approach is to assist them with expertise and support so they can complete projects successfully.”
For long-standing Durban technology company SA Webs Internet Solutions, the fair represents another opportunity to help local entrepreneurs embrace the digital world. Manager Petronella David says the company, which has operated since 1996, has spent decades helping businesses establish their online presence through website design, hosting and digital marketing services.
“Events like the Durban Business Fair create a platform where businesses can showcase their services, connect with others and learn,” she said. “Many small businesses struggle with visibility and marketing, and digital tools can make a big difference in helping them grow.”
Meanwhile, education entrepreneur Philani Mchunu will be representing Grace Academy, a private secondary school in Pinetown dedicated to providing affordable, structured education for learners from underserved communities.
Mchunu believes education itself has a place within the entrepreneurial landscape. “Independent schools are not only about education, they create jobs and develop future leaders,” he said. “Platforms like this help us build awareness and connect with partners who can support our growth.”
For Mchunu, the goal of attending the fair is simple: to reach more families who are searching for quality education while forming partnerships that can help expand the school’s infrastructure.
Behind each of these exhibitors lies a common thread: determination to grow despite the challenges that many small businesses face, from limited access to funding to the constant struggle for visibility.
Chairperson of the City’s Economic Development and Planning Committee, Thembelihle Ntuli, says the Durban Business Fair continues to play a critical role in strengthening the local economy. Over the years, the municipality has invested more than R400 million into the programme to support small businesses and stimulate job creation.
For entrepreneurs like Joosab, Mabhoza, David and Mchunu, the event represents more than statistics or policy initiatives. It is a meeting point where ideas, ambition and opportunity intersect, where a small business can find its next customer, partner or breakthrough moment.
As visitors walk through the exhibition halls later this month, they will encounter not just products and services, but the stories of determined entrepreneurs who continue to build Durban’s economic future, one venture at a time.