Absa ESD Expo
The Market Access Room
Get in the Game
About the
Exhibition
Welcome to South Africa’s largest long standing market access event and programme, which connects SMMEs to corporate procurement.
Knowledge Hub
17 September 2025
- WEDNESDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2025
- 08h00 to 15h30
08h30
Exhibition Official Opening
09h00
Supplier MatchUp Sessions
09h15-09h45
Absa Funding Session: How to be funding ready
Dimakatso Mphafudi, Regional Credit Manager –SME –G&L, Absa
09h45-10h00
How To Use Compliance to Access Markets : A step-by-step guide
Pamella Ndzumo, Managing Director, Ndzumo Consulting
10h00-10h30
How to do business with Government – Gauteng Provincial Treasury | Supplier Registration
Avuyile Tele, Provincial Supplier Chain Management Unit, Gauteng Provincial Treasury
Zandile Kumalo, Financial Governance Unit (P-Card), Gauteng Provincial Treasury
Tsotetsi Sebengwane, Accounts Payable Practitioner (IMS System), Gauteng Provincial Treasury
10h30-10h45
How to Strategise Success
Brad Watridge, Communication Strategist, Hot Mustard
10h45-11h15
How to do business with Telkom
Mathebe Mhlongo, Manager: Enterprise and Supplier Development, Telkom
11h15-11h30
How To Protect Your Business with Clear Payment Terms
Renee Fielder, Managing Director, ArborLily
11h30-12h00
How to do business with Afrisam
Zunaid Rasdien, National Procurement Manager, Afrisam
12h00-12h15
How to respond to Tenders (more effectively)
Lorna Ernst, Director / Business Owner, Socio-Elevate Solutions
12h15-12h45
How to do business with Alexander Forbes
Roshen Pahaladh, Head of Procurement, Alexander Forbes
12h45-13h00
How to Build a Well-Balanced Workforce that Drives Your Business Success
Tamara Al-Halaseh, Wellness Counsellor (ASCHP), EQ Consulting
13h00-13h30
How to do business with Pepsico
Dlamini, Lungile
13h30-13h45
From Paper to Platform: The Digital Shift for South African Businesses
Steven Sajja, Co-Founder & CTO, PiCortex,
13h45-14h15
How to do business with MTN
Matsepo Mabena, GM: Procurement, MTN
14h45-15h00
How to build authority that makes procurement teams choose you first
Marlon August, Founder, Story Advantage
15h00-15h30
How to do business with Eskom
Ishmael Modiko, SDL&I Manager, Eskom
15h30
Stand Prizes
END OF ABSA ESD EXPO 2025
Smart Supplier Conference
On the first day, this event will enable SMMEs to overcome challenges and to leverage opportunities available to them. It will also focus on how they can expand their offering to a national audience.
Supplier MatchUp
A mini-networking event in the exhibition for SMMEs to visit buyers in the public and private sectors. SMMEs will have the opportunity to ask buyers questions about their processes and to make themselves known. The buyers, in-turn, have the opportunity to build a base of reliable, tried and tested SMME suppliers.
Knowledge Hub
This is a dynamic learning platform designed to empower SMMEs with the tools and insights needed to successfully engage with large corporates. Delivered through a series of short, focused workshops, it helps SMMEs gain valuable knowledge on key business topics that drive growth and innovation.
