Five youth-owned enterprises participating in the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition’s Next Gen Exporter Incubation Programme are amongst the 130 South African exporters from various key sectors that are showcasing their high-quality proudly South African products and services at an Export Expo taking place at the Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand from 15-16 October 2025.
The Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme is part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and the Universities South Africa (USAf). The objective of MoU is to foster collaboration in promoting entrepreneurship and export development among student and youth-owned businesses.
The Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme is aimed at equipping young entrepreneurs with exporting skills, resources and support that they require to become successful first-time exporters. The programme is part of export development and readiness programme aimed at attracting new exporters to expand South Africa’s export capacity. The 12-month intervention target youth-led enterprises with demonstrated export potential and supports them through a structured development journey. Their inclusion in the Expo marks a significant step toward expanding their global footprint and promoting youth entrepreneurship on an international stage.
The Director of Oumie’s Grande, the manufacturer, supplier, and distributor of fruits, vegetables, and condiments based in Venda, Limpopo, Ms Muofhe Ratshikombo, who employs four permanent employees is showcasing at the Export Expo. Ratshikombo is incubated under the Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme and says her participation at the Export Expo is already bearing fruits.
“We currently supply retails stores in Gauteng and Limpopo and are hopeful we will soon start exporting our product. We have had interesting meetings with potential clients from Botswana, Nigeria and Zambia and if these leads translate into transactions we will be able to employ more people, in addition to the four permanent staff that we have,” said Ratshikombo.
The Founder of Rave About which specialises in the production of high-quality chili sauces in a variety of flavours, Ms Prudence Maloka says they have recently started exploring export for their products and happy about her participation in the Export Expo.
Being one of the selected candidates for the Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme, Maloka said she was looking forward to exploring new markets in the continent and expanding access to more stores across the country.
The Managing Director of Maduwa Paint World, the manufacturers of paint, gamazine coating and cleaning detergents, Ms Fortunate Maduwa says the exhibition has offered Paint World a satisfying exposure and as a result she has met potential clients from Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa who are interested in partnerships.
The Expo is hosted by (the dtic) with an objective of profiling South African exporters in key sectors and positioning South Africa’s value-added and high-growth sectors in key global markets. The exhibitors are from various sectors including, the aerospace and defence, agro processing, manufacturing, medical and pharma, rail services and crafts, automotive and components, boat building, chemicals, clothing and textiles, footwear and leather, film, furniture and decor.
The Director of Oumie’s Grande, the manufacturer, supplier, and distributor of fruits, vegetables, and condiments, Ms Muofhe Ratshikombo.
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Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
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