Tsakani – Prudence Mabaso, the founder of The Kitchen Wrap Company, is the winner of the 2025 Nedbank Pitch & Polish on November 18.
Nedbank Pitch & Polish is a life-changing competition in South Africa sponsored by Nedbank in partnership with the incubator Raizcorp.
It helps entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas, get feedback, improve their pitch, and receive one-on-one mentorship.
The organisers match contestants with Raizcorp mentors who help them refine their strategies, financials, sales, and marketing.
Mabaso walked away with the top prize worth R1m – R650 000 in cash and a R350 000 bursary for a two-year Raizcorp business-incubation programme.
Her company is transforming the home renovation industry with an innovative no-dust-and-no-demolition kitchen wrapping solution that upgrades tired kitchen cabinets and other cupboards, giving them a stylish, modern makeover in a fraction of the usual time. Behind the polished winning pitch lies a personal story.
Prudence Mabaso is the founder of The Kitchen Wrap Company. Photo: Prudence Mabaso
“I could not believe it when they called my name. This win is the validation of years of persistence – starting this business when I was unemployed and a single mom, pushing forward when resources were scarce.
“I found a way to turn an idea into something real. It is proof that resilience and faith can turn obstacles into stepping stones,” said Mabaso.
Mabaso mentioned that the most valuable lesson she learned from the competition was the importance of focus and positioning.
The judges challenged her to ensure that her core product – cabinet and cupboard wrapping – remains the hero of her story, even when introducing new offerings.
“It taught me that growth doesn’t mean diluting your identity; it’s about showing how every addition strengthens your main value proposition,” she added.
She plans to use the prize money to purchase bulk inventory, which will boost margins and enable faster scaling.She also aims to launch a proprietary range of interior vinyl films and a new tech platform to streamline quoting, bookings, and project management.
Her five-year vision is to make The Kitchen Wrap Company the continent’s leading name for premium, non-invasive renovations. Allon Raiz, CEO of Raizcorp, praised the calibre of this year’s contestants, saying each pitch showcased not only unique solutions to real-world challenges but also the extraordinary resilience of South African entrepreneurs.
“We are proud to support visionaries like Prudence as they take their next steps towards building sustainable businesses and creating jobs in their communities,” said Raiz.
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