Johannesburg, South Africa — The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (Top 16 YOBAs) are proud to announce the Top 64 finalists for the 2026 awards ceremony, marking a significant milestone as the platform celebrates its fifth consecutive year of recognising and celebrating youth-owned brands.
Established in 2022, the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards have grown into one of the continent’s leading platforms dedicated to youth entrepreneurship, brand building and business visibility. The awards were created to celebrate young founders who are building businesses with purpose, creativity and impact, while encouraging more young people to see entrepreneurship as a meaningful path towards economic participation.
Over the past five years, the Top 16 YOBAs have evolved beyond an awards ceremony into a movement that champions youth-owned brands across industries. The platform has profiled emerging entrepreneurs, celebrated the contribution of youth-led businesses, created visibility for small businesses, and helped position young brand builders as important contributors to South Africa’s economic future.
“Reaching five years is deeply meaningful because the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards started with a simple belief: that youth-owned brands deserve to be seen, celebrated and taken seriously,” says Pat Mahlangu, Founder of the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards. “Over the years, we have witnessed young entrepreneurs turn ideas into businesses, businesses into brands, and brands into vehicles for economic participation. This milestone is not just about the awards; it is about the young people who continue to build against the odds and shape the future of South Africa’s brand economy.”
This year’s finalists represent a dynamic and diverse generation of entrepreneurs who are reshaping industries through innovation, creativity, resilience and purpose-driven leadership. Selected across 16 categories, the Top 64 finalists reflect the depth of talent and ambition within South Africa’s youth-owned business landscape.
The finalists for the 2026 Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards are:
Top Agriculture Brand
- Warm Nest Enterprise
- Eggselent By Lebo
- Agriculture Ladder
- Sahaba Holdings
Top Apparel Brand
- The Flower Club
- Scoophype
- Goated Bare
- Lethu Textiles
Top Creative & Arts Brand
- Remofilwe Setshedi
- Lehlohonolo Sax
- Bumba Souled Ceramics
- Beige Creatives
Top Education & Literature Brand
- Qrate
- FinMaster
- LeeConnect
- New Beginnings Pre-School
Top Footwear & Accessories Brand
- We Are Squad
- Retrofit Boss
- Honour Legacy
- Prudent
Top Food & Beverages Brand
- Meals With Mash
- Lemme Chew Foods
- Hue Café
- All Day Jam
Top Hair & Beauty Brand
- Girl Boss Africa
- Dolamo Hair
- Lin-Glazed Beauty
- Scrumptious Lips
Top Health & Wellness Brand
- Ingage Support
- Dr Lethukwenama
- Wellness Organics Health and Wellness Shop
- Pause and Paint
Top Homeware Brand
- Sofa Symphony
- HBS Interiors
- Moremi Space Africa
- Rayetsa Events and Projects
Top Manufacturing Brand
- Takeover Studio
- Scented By Karabo
- Fratelli Lifestyle
- Luxity Fine Jewellery
Top Media Brand
- Kace In Point Studios
- Empower Magazine
- KPRM Media Solutions
- House Of 30
Top NPOs & Charities Brand
- Qrate
- Kidz Hub
- WENOSA
- Khethi’s Foundation
Top Personalities & Influencers Brand
- Remofilwe Setshedi
- Basetsana Maluleke (Bassie)
- Given Le Giza
- Asavela Tupana
Top Services Brand
- 90 Degrees Social Events
- Moi-Africa Real Estate
- Boyd’s House of Regalia
- Luxe Petals
Top Technology Brand
- The Marking App Africa
- Space Salad Studio
- Password Kid
- Glitch Portal
Top Travel & Tourism Brand
- Jonoago Holdings
- Tourlife Travel Group
- SA Prestige Travel & Tours
- Ubukhosi Tours & Shuttles
“I am honoured to return as Chairman of the Jury for the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards,” says Dr Tumelo Chaka, returning Jury Chairman of the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards 2026. “The YOBAs recognise the creativity, resilience and innovation of youth-led brands that are shaping the future of South Africa. What makes this platform important is its ability to understand young entrepreneurs not only as business owners, but as culture builders. The future of brand growth belongs to those who understand culture before they understand campaigns.”
Voting is officially open and will close on 15 June 2026. Members of the public can cast their votes by visiting the official YOBAs website at www.top16yoba.co.za and clicking on the ”Vote Now” button.
The winners of the 2026 Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards will be announced at the official awards ceremony taking place on 27 June 2026 in Sandton, Johannesburg. The event promises to be an inspiring celebration of youth entrepreneurship, and the impact young business leaders continue to make across the country.
For more information about the awards, visit www.top16yoba.co.za.
