While most business or entrepreneurial competitions focus on cash rewards, in the Route to Market competition, there’s no prize money — and that’s intentional. Instead, entrepreneurs gain what’s truly priceless: access to decision-makers, strategic input and lasting business relationships.
About the competition
The Route to Market competition – now in its third year but its second featuring DHL as a category sponsor – is designed to support and accelerate the growth of emerging businesses in the country’s most critical industries. Through partnerships with Aspen Pharmacare (medical and health category), DHL (logistics) and uMngeni-uThukela Water (water), the competition provides entrepreneurs with real access, real networking and real opportunity.
Finalists in each category receive specialised mentorship and business learning from GIBS faculty and industry experts and undergo intensive pitch preparation, culminating in two rounds of pitching to senior executives and decision-makers from their respective category sponsors.
A deserving winner
For Freddy Mahhumane, founder of KasiD Township Delivery Service — and the winner of DHL Route to Market 2025 — the experience has been a defining step in strengthening his business and sharpening his strategic approach.
KasiD is building a township-focused delivery network designed to integrate seamlessly with South Africa’s existing logistics ecosystem while creating jobs, improving accessibility and bringing modern delivery solutions to communities that have historically been underserved.
Freddy’s ability to pair commercial scalability with community impact made him a standout contender in this year’s competition.
Says Anthony Beckley, Vice President Network Operations and Aviation DHL Express SSA, “Freddy Mahhumane was selected because his business model is exciting, innovative and deeply community-focused. His aim to build a comprehensive delivery service and create jobs in townships has the potential to be a game-changer for consumers. Townships present a huge opportunity, and I believe his success will add real value to communities that have long been underserved in terms of access to state-of-the-art delivery services.”
Reflecting on his experience, Freddy says the programme fundamentally elevated the way he communicates his business value. “A real turning point for me has been understanding how to package knowledge and tell a compelling story in my business pitch. The judges were honest and incredibly helpful in refining what they were looking for, and their feedback shaped our strategy and value proposition.”
Between rounds, he applied this guidance directly to improve both his narrative and business positioning. “The opportunity to be coached by industry leaders is invaluable – and winning the competition opens doors to markets that were previously inaccessible, bringing real expansion, visibility and growth potential.”
Real access. Real networking. Real opportunity.
Freddy says that the biggest advantage of Route to Market lies in the access it creates. “Being coached by experienced professionals and understanding exactly what decision-makers are looking for has been incredibly valuable. The relationships built here will have a long-term impact on how my business grows.”
For a business operating in township logistics — a sector full of untapped potential — this access is game-changing. “Winning Route to Market puts us in front of the right people and gives us visibility we’ve never had before. That’s worth far more than any cash prize.”
This approach reframes entrepreneurship support — moving from short-term prize incentives to long-term business opportunity and ecosystem growth. Because when doors open, opportunity follows.
Turning access into opportunity
For Freddy and KasiD, winning DHL Route to Market 2025 is not an endpoint, but a starting point. With sharper strategic clarity, strengthened industry relationships and direct access to one of the world’s leading logistics networks, the business stands at the threshold of meaningful opportunity. As KasiD grows, its journey signals what’s possible when innovation and access intersect — and when entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to meet the market on equal footing.
For more information about the DHL Route to Market challenge and future opportunities, please visit www.routetomarket.co.za/
