South Africa, Sept. 1 -- The deadline is 4 September 2026. That's the day entries close for the News24 x Lula SME Awards, and the last chance for South Africa's small business owners to put themselves forward for recognition and a share of R300,000 in prize money.

If you've been thinking about entering, now is the time.

South Africa's small business owners have been the backbone of the economy without getting the spotlight they deserve. They take the risk, sign the lease, make payroll happen and keep going when things get hard. They create jobs, solve problems and build something real.

That's why News24 and Lula have partnered to create the News24 x Lula SME Awards: because the people driving South Africa's economy forward deserve more...