Meet the 10 contestants competing for their share of R800 000 in Engen The Making Of

One epic competition. Ten fearless entrepreneurs. R800 000 up for grabs.

After a dramatic first season that drew over 2.3 million views and saw the winning contestant walk away with R225 000, Engen The Making Of (TMO) is back for season 2 – and the stakes are higher than ever. Sponsored by Engen and powered by Raizcorp, ten bold entrepreneurs will put their creativity — and themselves — to the test.

Each episode throws contestants into a fast-paced, industry-specific challenge where they must conceptualise, design, brand, cost and pitch a game-changing product or service — all in just four hours. Working in teams, they have to balance creativity with commercial thinking, but every round brings eliminations. The prize? R100 000 per episode, shared by the winning team — until the finale, when one entrepreneur claims it all.

For the contestants, it’s not just a competition. It’s a crash course in execution under pressure, a platform for growth and a chance to win real cash that can launch or scale a business. For the viewers, it’s a ringside seat to the reality of entrepreneurship.

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Now, meet the fearless entrepreneurs competing in Engen The Making Of 2025…

1. Katlego Tshuma – Neta Studio

From award-winning design to entrepreneurial challenges, Katlego Tshuma is proving that African storytelling has a powerful place in business.

Katlego is the creative force behind Neta Studio, a product and design studio blending African heritage with contemporary furniture and objects. He first made waves in 2020 when he won the Nando’s Hot Young Designer talent search with his “Sangu” bench — a striking piece that redefined modern African design.

Now, as one of the top 10 contestants in Engen The Making Of 2025, Katlego is putting his vision to the test under the pressures of entrepreneurship.

“Growth lives in the tension between what you already know and what you have to learn quickly,” he says. “Engen The Making Of pushed me to look beyond just the creative side of business and fully engage with the entrepreneurial aspects, discipline, structure, financials, pitching and resilience. It also built my confidence in balancing artistic integrity with business practicality.”

On Engen The Making Of, viewers will see him navigate challenges that test not only creativity but also business discipline, teamwork and resilience.

1. Mlungisi Nkosi – The Mlungisi Nkosi Maths & Science Centre

He’s on a mission to change the way South Africa learns Maths and Science — using innovation to open doors for the next generation.

As the founder of the Mlungisi Nkosi Maths and Science Centre, Mlungisi has dedicated his career to helping young people access opportunities through STEM education. His centre equips learners with Maths, Science, coding, robotics and entrepreneurial skills, preparing them for both academic success and the jobs of tomorrow.

Beyond the classroom, his YouTube channel makes learning accessible to thousands more. In 2025, Nkosi stepped onto an even bigger platform as a contestant in Engen The Making Of.

“The most impactful advice I received was to focus on solving real problems, not just presenting polished concepts,” he recalls.

“My time on Engen TMO pushed me to think bigger and with more creativity. It taught me to see obstacles as opportunities for innovation and to approach every challenge with a solution-oriented mindset,” he says.

For Mlungisi, the competition has been a game-changer in refining his vision, sharpening his pitch, and reminding him that education and entrepreneurship are inseparable.

1. Yumna Monier – Wild Plum Growers

She believes mushrooms can change the way we eat, heal and do business — and she’s building a thriving company to prove it.

As the founder of Wild Plum Growers, Yumna is reimagining food and wellness in South Africa. Her business cultivates exotic and medicinal mushrooms, develops mushroom-based wellness products, and runs a retail store that connects people with the power of fungi.

With a background spanning finance, farming and entrepreneurship, Yumna has built Wild Plum Growers on both passion and practicality.

“The heart of your business — your story and your ‘why’ — is just as important as the numbers,” she explains. “As an entrepreneur, competing on Engen TMO sharpened my focus, helped me identify blind spots and gave me the tools I need to scale Wild Plum Growers with more clarity.”

As one of the top 10 contestants in Engen The Making Of, Yumna has embraced collaboration, resilience and constant adaptation. For her, business is about cultivating more than mushrooms — it’s about growing purpose and community.

1. Koketso Ramatlho – Angela Care

She’s turning personal healing into a global mission — building a natural skin and hair care brand rooted in indigenous African ingredients.

As the founder of Angela Care, Koketso Ramatlho has transformed a family struggle into a thriving business. What began with her daughter’s suggestion to use Moringa to soothe her son’s severe eczema grew into a range of soaps, butters and wellness products that harness the power of plants like Baobab and Turmeric. Today, Angela Care supports holistic skin and hair health and is proudly exported to eight countries, carrying the wisdom of organic and indigenous care to the world.

In 2025, Koketso competed as a contestant on Engen The Making Of, where her resilience and creativity were tested like never before.

“The experience pushed me to think differently — not just as a business owner, but from the customer’s perspective too,” she reflects. “I learnt that losing a challenge doesn’t mean you’ve failed — it means you’ve found another way to grow. Engen TMO taught me to be gentler on myself and to see every setback as preparation for something bigger.”

She credits the competition with sharpening her presentation skills, teaching her the value of strategy and teamwork, and reminding her that setbacks can be just as important as wins.

1. Priscilla Frost – Cleaning Squad

She turned personal pressure into entrepreneurial purpose — and now she’s proving that passion and resilience can take you far.

As the founder of Cleaning Squad, Priscilla runs a cleaning and waste management business that creates clean, healthy spaces while generating job opportunities in her community.

She started the business while working in corporate, driven by the need to provide more for her children and parents.

“The competition challenged me to be more visible, speak up, and believe in my ideas,” she says. “It also taught me to be more structured as a business owner. I discovered I had to improve my planning, build better strategies, and manage my time more effectively. It showed me the importance of thinking ahead and being intentional in everything I do.”

Joining Engen The Making Of 2025 was about stepping out of the shadows. The competition taught her the importance of structure, strategy and time management, while teamwork sparked new ideas and collaboration.

Audiences will need to keep watching to see where her journey leads, but one thing is clear: Priscilla Frost is cleaning up more than just spaces — she’s creating opportunity.

1. Refilwe Xaba – Glolooks

She’s building a beauty and wellness brand that celebrates natural hair, empowers women, and is already proving successful in major retailers.

Refilwe is the founder of Glolooks, an African-inspired beauty and wellness brand that offers both an adult and kiddies’ haircare range.

A PhD candidate researching women in business and an active advocate for empowerment, she joined The Making Of to test her resilience and sharpen her leadership.

“Engen The Making Of was transformative,” she reflects. “It challenged me to confront my limits, sharpen my decision-making, and collaborate with strong personalities.” Most importantly, I viewed The Engen Making Of as a platform to not only raise capital for my business but also to demonstrate the power of committing to one’s vision, persevering despite the pressure and building meaningful relationships.  

Refilwe went into the competition with passion and focus and left the experience with lessons, networks and opportunities that continue to shape Glolooks’ growth.

1. Slondiwe Motshabi – Entire Brands

She walked away from engineering to build a business rooted in creativity, wellness and connection — and today, she’s proving what it means to lead with purpose.

In 2016, Slondiwe Motshabi left her corporate job as a process engineer, choosing fulfilment over security. That leap gave rise to Entire Brands, a branding and corporate gifting company dedicated to helping organisations strengthen their relationships with employees, clients and communities.

“Engen TMO showed me that I cannot afford to doubt my creativity. If I want to scale my business, I can’t stay at the technical level — I must lead with vision,” she reflects.

For Slondiwe, entrepreneurship has always been about more than profit. It’s about meaning, legacy and using her talents to empower others. Through The Making Of, she has sharpened her focus on strategy, creativity and leadership, discovering that opportunities expand when you trust yourself and show up fully.

1. Mbuso Mafuyeka – Computer Guardian

He’s making reliable, affordable tech support accessible — and proving that problem-solving is both a business and a mindset.

Mbuso is the founder of Computer Guardian, a company offering repairs, IT support and digital services, supported by his custom-built Comguard App. The app allows clients to book repairs, order parts and log support tickets all in one place.

A tech enthusiast who also loves photography, storytelling and community development, Mbuso joined Engen The Making Of to grow personally and professionally while raising the profile of his business.

“It taught me to see challenges as opportunities. It pushed me to adapt quickly, stay focused and sharpen my problem-solving skills – all of which I’ll use going forward in my business.”

For Mbuso, teamwork, focus and adaptability were the biggest takeaways. During his time as a contestant, he showed that growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone — and always going back to the brief.

1. Rodney Louis – JR Prodigy Venture (JRPV)

He’s merging creativity with sustainability to tackle one of South Africa’s biggest challenges: water.

Rodney is the founder of JR Prodigy Venture, a smart water management company helping municipalities and businesses monitor, conserve and optimise their water systems, especially in underserved communities.

At the same time, he’s a multidisciplinary creative with a passion for pixel art, anime-inspired design and brand development — a mix that gives his entrepreneurial journey both purpose and play.

“I joined Engen The Making Of to push my boundaries, test my ideas under pressure and connect with other driven entrepreneurs,” he says. “It also challenged me to rethink how I frame problems and solutions. Instead of simply focusing on building cool things, I began asking: How does this serve people? What’s the real-world impact?”

On Engen The Making Of 2025, Rodney is proving that design, strategy and sustainability can flow together — and that creativity is a resource as powerful as water itself.

1. Tshiamo Mdhladhla – Obriani Chic

From corporate boardrooms to boutique storefronts, Tshiamo Mdhladhla is proving that fashion can be both a business and a legacy of empowerment.

As the founder of Obriani Chic, she has carried forward the vision of her father’s OBRIANI brand, building a thriving retail presence with stores across Gauteng, North West and the Eastern Cape. Since 2010, her boutiques have gone beyond style to create job opportunities and skills development for women and youth in local communities.

With a professional background working for big corporations, Tshiamo combines corporate discipline with entrepreneurial flair. Now, as one of the top 10 contestants in Engen The Making Of 2025, she is testing that balance under the intense pressures of the competition.

“Engen The Making Of reminded me that strategy drives outcomes, but collaboration enriches the experience,” she says. “It challenged me to adapt, listen and learn in ways that pushed me outside my comfort zone.”

On Engen The Making Of, viewers will see her swap the CEO’s chair for a team-player role — navigating creativity, teamwork and strategy in a high-stakes environment where adaptability is everything.

Watch their journeys unfold

These entrepreneurs are proving that South African business is bold, diverse and resilient. Follow their stories on Engen The Making Of 2025 and see who rises to the top.

Engen The Making Of airs on Facebook and YouTube on Thursdays at 19:00 – starting 9 October (https://themaking-of.co.za/watch-now/).

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Diana Kinyanjui

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