Between 5 000 and 8 000 people is expected at this year’s Edgar Legoale Foundation | Ngwathe Easter Experience

This year the event will also aim at empowering local businesses and unlocking economic opportunities with the Ngwathe SMME Expo, a flagship programme within the broader Ngwathe Easter Experience, designed to advance inclusive economic growth, strengthen local enterprise development, and contribute meaningfully to government’s economic transformation agenda across local, provincial and national spheres.

 The Ngwathe SMME Expo will be held at the Master Nakedi Sport Centre in Tumahole on April 2, between 09:00 and 14:00.

The Expo is strategically aligned with key government frameworks and development priorities, including:
 • The National Development Plan (NDP) 2030, which prioritises job creation, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth
 • The District Development Model (DDM), promoting integrated planning and collaboration across all spheres of government
•  The National Tourism Sector Strategy, which positions tourism as a driver of local economic development

•  The Creative Industries Masterplan, supporting innovation and the creative economy
•  Provincial growth strategies led by the Free State Department of Economic, Small Business Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (DESTEA)

•  Local Economic Development (LED) objectives of the Ngwathe Local Municipal

The Ngwathe SMME Expo will bring together entrepreneurs, innovators, government stakeholders, financial institutions and community members on one integrated platform to:
        •       Showcase local products and services
        •       Facilitate access to markets and funding opportunities
        •       Strengthen enterprise development ecosystems
        •       Promote collaboration between public and private sectors

Key Highlights of the Expo

• Business exhibitions

• Product showcases

• Networking and partnership opportunities
• Direct engagement with key stakeholders

Special Feature: SMME Pitch Competition

A major highlight of the Expo will be the SMME Pitch Competition, aimed at recognising innovation and supporting emerging enterprises.
        •       Five (5) selected businesses will pitch to a panel of judges
        •       Grand Prize: R10,000 cash

This initiative is designed to accelerate business growth, promote innovation, and provide real economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs.

The Ngwathe SMME Expo seeks to:

•       Promote entrepreneurship and innovation
•       Support local SMMEs, cooperatives and informal traders
•       Stimulate local economic activity and job creation

•       Empower youth-owned and women-owned enterprises
 •       Strengthen public-private partnerships

Entrepreneurs, Start-ups, informal traders, investors and community members are welcome.

The Expo forms part of a broader programme that attracts:
        •       Youth (15–35) as a core demographic
        •       Families and community members
        •       Domestic tourists from Gauteng, the Vaal Triangle and North West

Programme Overview:

The Expo is one of several interconnected events taking place till April 5, creating a sustained economic and tourism impact:
1. Ngwathe SMME Expo – April 2, 2026

2. Main Music Festival – April 4 (Fezile Dabi Stadium)

3. Kiddies Corner and Family Day – April 5

4. Easter Soccer Tournament – April 3-6

⸻