Johannesburg, South Africa – 24 March 2026: South African entrepreneur and founder of the
iconic Skinny Sbu Socks brand, Sibusiso Ngwenya, popularly known as Sbu September, has
officially been announced as a Top 20 finalist in the prestigious Entrepreneur of Impact
Competition.
The global competition, which is entirely driven by public voting, offers one standout
entrepreneur the opportunity to:
● Appear in an advertorial in Entrepreneur Magazine (USA)
● Receive a one-on-one mentorship session with Daymond John, founder of FUBU
● Win a $25,000 USD (approx. R400,000 ZAR) cash prize
Public voting is currently open and runs from 23 March to 25 June 2026, with multiple
elimination stages determining the final winner.
A Strategic Leap Into the U.S. Market
Sbu September made the announcement live on the YOU FM Business Hour on Monday
evening, positioning the competition as a critical milestone in his long-term ambition to scale
globally.
“We’ve been trying to penetrate the U.S. market for the past four years and have
spent millions doing so. Winning this competition will fast track that whole process
for me,” said Sbu September.
His entry into the competition aligns with a broader strategy to expand distribution
internationally, particularly in the United States, where he has already begun engaging with
partners and building infrastructure for growth.
From Township Hustle to Global Vision
From humble beginnings in Tsakane to building one of South Africa’s most recognisable fashion
brands, Sbu September’s journey has been defined by bold ambition, resilience, and
reinvention.
Now in what he describes as the “second coming” of his brand, he is focused on:
● Expanding product offerings
● Securing full retail footprints internationally
● Building globally competitive African-owned brands
“The world is waiting for us. The new age of global expansion is not with force, but
with intellectual property and creative power,” he shared during the interview.
The Power of Community and Public Voting
Unlike traditional awards, the Entrepreneur of Impact Competition is determined entirely by
public support, making community mobilisation a key factor in Sbu September’s success.
Voting stages include:
● Top 20: 23 March – 2 April
● Top 15: 2 April – 9 April
● Top 10: 9 April – 16 April
● Top 5: 16 April – 23 April
● Group Finals: 23 April – 30 April
● Wild Card Round: 1 May – 3 May
● Quarter Finals: 4 May – 14 May
● Semi Finals: 15 May – 21 May
● Finals: 22 May – 28 May
The Grand Prize Winner will be announced on 25 June 2026.
A Call to Action
Sbu September is calling on South Africans and the global community to rally behind his journey
as he represents not only his brand, but the broader vision of African entrepreneurship on the
world stage.
“I hereby ask all South Africans to rally behind me. This is bigger than me, it’s about
showing what’s possible when African brands step onto the global stage.”
Supporters can vote and follow his journey here:
https://entrepreneurofimpact.org/2026/sbu-september
About Sbu September
Sbu September (born Sibusiso Ngwenya) is a South African entrepreneur, designer, and
founder of Skinny Sbu Socks. Known for his bold approach to business and personal branding,
he has built a multi-category fashion brand while navigating both rapid success and public
reinvention. Today, he is focused on scaling African innovation globally, with a strong emphasis
on the U.S. market.