CAPE TOWN – They build, wire, and plumb the country. Yet South Africa’s artisans remain largely overlooked.

Now, Allan Gray Makers is putting them centre stage with the Artisans of Mzansi competition, offering prize money of up to R200 000 to the country’s best artisanal entrepreneurs.

Hopefuls must be 50 years or under, a qualified artisan, who partly or wholly owns a business in any trade. Three of the prize categories are based on business revenue with an open category, where business revenue is not a precondition, for the innovators in the sector.

“The technical trades in South Africa are often overlooked. This while the South African economy requires the entry of 30 000 artisans annually with only half that number entering the sector per year,” says Seth Mulli, programme director of Allan Gray Makers.

“Our initiatives seek to change the negative perceptions around the trades with Artisans of Mzansi serving to find the best artisan entrepreneurs in the country so they can be showcased as relatable role models to attract more young people to physically building the country’s economy.”

ALSO READ: Coronation opens Top Investor Challenge to high schoolers

Eight finalists will be chosen after shortlisted applicants are interviewed. They will receive pitch-readiness training before pitching their businesses to a panel of judges at a gala dinner, where the winning Artisans of Mzansi will be announced.

Are you eligible to enter?

To be eligible to enter, you must be a qualified artisan (with a trade test); owner or 50% partner in a formalised trade business (plumbing, electrical, construction, etc.); a South African citizen or permanent resident, aged 50 or younger in 2026; and the business must operate ethically and comply with industry standards.

Prize categories include:

• Micro to Very Small Business (R0 – R1M revenue): R50,000

• Small Business (R1M – R5M revenue): R100,000

• Medium Business (R5M+ revenue): R200,000

• Innovation Award (no revenue requirement): R100,000

Interested artisans have until 30 June 2026 to submit their applications to this initiative at https://allangraymakers.co.za/artisans-of-mzansi/.

Allan Gray Makers, a programme of Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies, fosters dignity and economic opportunity by supporting artisanal entrepreneurship. The programme invests in technical entrepreneurs who demonstrate ethical leadership, helping them build sustainable businesses that drive job creation and community impact.