Kgomotso Pooe has spent 14 years building a business and is now a finalist in the 38th annual Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year awards.

He founded SoWeToo Tours in 2012 to show visitors Soweto on its own terms.

The company has grown into one of South Africa’s established township tour operators, running guided tours, hop-on hop-off experiences, customised cultural and educational itineraries, and shuttle and executive transport.

Its clients range from international travellers to schools, corporate groups, travel agents and government departments.

The business employs 14 people permanently and another 10 temporarily.

Almost two-thirds of its staff are under 35, and it draws its workforce and much of its supply chain from Soweto itself, routing tourist spending to local businesses along the way.

With international arrivals to South Africa running 12.4% ahead of last year, and the latest available figures putting the year-to-date total at more than 6.5 million, Gugu Mjadu of Business Partners Limited said these numbers are the easy part.

“Getting that money to land in Soweto rather than only in the places tourists already know about is the difficult part, and it takes an operator on the ground to do it.”

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The finalists will now compete for top honours in their respective categories and for the overall title of South Africa’s 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year.

The Job Creator, Innovator and Impact Entrepreneur of the Year titles may also be conferred at the judges’ discretion.

Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in October and share in award prizes designed to accelerate business growth, including funding, mentorship, technical assistance and business exposure opportunities.

About the Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year awards

The awards recognise and honour the value and contributions of established South African entrepreneurs in the small and medium enterprises sector.

Now in its 38th year, the annual awards recognise and empower South Africa’s successful entrepreneurs by enhancing their knowledge, networks and exposure.

It is widely considered to be the pre-eminent awards competition of its kind in the country and has served as a business growth springboard for past finalists and winners. For more information, go to https://www.eoy.co.za

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