Ekasinomics: Choice Spices & Herbs, beat 510 entrants to take the top prize.

Loading player...
Zama Ngwenya is the 2021 winner of the SME Toolkit-Business Partners Ltd Business Plan Competition for Aspiring Entrepreneurs.

Ngwenya, the owner of a seasoning and spice business called Zama’s Choice Spices & Herbs, beat 510 entrants to take the top price.

Ngwenya won a R30 000 mentorship voucher and R30 000 in seed capital.

The entrepreneur started Zama’s Choice Spices & Herbs after the Covid-19 lockdowns forced her to close down her tourism business.

Through her online spices and herbs wholesale business, Ngwenya now sells her products nationally and has plans to approach local retailers to stock her spices
16 Mar 2022 4AM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

The Future of Airline Overbooking in SA

Aviation analyst Guy Leitch breaks down the National Consumer Tribunal case that could reshape South Africa’s airline industry. We examine the economics of overbooking, the potential fallout for ticket prices, and whether stricter regulation could destabilize a recovering aviation sector.
26 May 4PM 18 min

Q1 2026 Debt Index Shows High Earners Struggling Most

DebtBusters’ Benay Sager unpacks the latest Debt Index, revealing that consumers now need 64% of their income to service debt—and top earners require 101%, starting each month underwater. We explore rising unsecured borrowing, cost‑of‑living strain, and why younger South Africans are entering debt distress earlier than ever.
26 May 4PM 14 min

Investing in the Age of AI: Lessons From Past Disruptions

Allan Gray’s Nshalati Hlungwane explores what history’s great technological revolutions can teach us about today’s AI boom. From railways to telecoms, we unpack why early winners often stumble, how over‑investment cycles form, and why disciplined, long‑term thinking still matters.
26 May 4PM 15 min

Zeda’s Resilient Half-Year Driven by Fleet Growth, Lower Debt

Zeda CEO Ramasela Ganda unpacks a solid interim performance marked by revenue growth, disciplined capital allocation, and a 21%+ ROE. We discuss leasing strength, used‑car demand, the impact of Chinese models on pricing, and how technology is reshaping mobility in South Africa.
26 May 4PM 14 min

What SA Homeowners Are Doing in 2026

The Absa Homeowner Sentiment Index hit an all‑time high of 88%—with — with buying, selling, investing, and renovating sentiment all rising. Tshepo Mashashane unpacks why South Africans remain so confident in property, what’s driving younger buyers, the rise of short‑term rental investment, and the key trends shaping homeownership in 2026.
25 May 5PM 22 min