A proud moment for Zaio: double win at the 2026 News24 x Lula SME Awards

Some achievements deserve more than a celebration. They give you a chance to reflect on how far you've come, appreciate the people who made it possible and recognise just how much the journey has meant.

For Zaio Institute of Technology, the 2026 News24 x Lula SME Awards was one of those moments.

On 29 October 2026, Zaio proudly took home Small Business of the Year and Service Business of the Year at the News24 x Lula SME Awards in Cape Town. Winning 2 awards in one evening was an incredible honour and a milestone we will remember for years to come.

Standing alongside some of South Africa's remarkable businesses and hearing Zaio's name announced as the winner was a moment of immense pride for our entire team. It was recognition of the years of dedication, ideas, challenges and hard work that have helped shape Zaio into the institute it is today.

And while the trophies made the evening unforgettable, a conversation with a former student made the celebration even more special.

Zaio wins 2 awards at the 2026 News24 x Lula SME Awards

The News24 x Lula SME Awards celebrate the achievements of South African small and medium-sized businesses, recognising the organisations and entrepreneurs contributing to the country's economy through innovation, service and growth.

Being named Small Business of the Year and Service Business of the Year was a tremendous achievement for Zaio and an opportunity to celebrate how far we've come as a technology education provider.

Our journey has always been driven by an ambition to make practical technology education more accessible to South Africans. Over time, that vision has shaped the programmes we've developed, the students we've supported and the opportunities we've continued to explore.

Of course, building and growing an organisation comes with challenges. There have been decisions that required courage, ideas that needed refining and countless lessons learned along the way. Receiving national recognition made those experiences feel even more worthwhile.

For everyone who has been part of Zaio's growth, the awards were a moment to step back, take it all in and celebrate something truly special.

A conversation that reminded us why we started

Among the celebrations and excitement of the evening, one unexpected interaction left a lasting impression on our team.

A former Zaio student approached us and shared that they had completed one of our bootcamps. They went on to tell us that the experience had completely changed their life.

It was a powerful moment, particularly on a night when Zaio was being celebrated for its achievements as a business. Hearing directly from someone whose life had been positively influenced by their time with us brought a personal meaning to the recognition we had just received.

Behind every student is a different story. Some join Zaio hoping to enter the technology industry for the first time, while others are looking to change careers, develop new skills or pursue ideas they've been thinking about for years. We understand that choosing to study involves a commitment of time, money and effort, and we never take that trust lightly.

It's conversations like these that remind us why the work matters. The awards celebrated what Zaio has achieved as an organisation, but hearing from a former student reminded us of the people who give that work its purpose.

Building something we're proud of

Zaio has grown around a belief that education should equip people with skills they can apply beyond the classroom. Through our bootcamps and occupational qualifications, we've continued developing opportunities for learners to explore fields such as software development, artificial intelligence, data science and cybersecurity.

Practical learning has remained central to that approach. Students are encouraged to work on projects, solve problems and build confidence in their technical abilities, supported by weekly live sessions, human mentors with weekly check-ins and 24/7 AI tutors who help them navigate the challenges of learning something new.

As our programmes and community have grown, so has our appreciation for the work required to deliver a meaningful learning experience. There's the excitement of developing something new, but also the everyday commitment to answering questions, listening to feedback, improving lessons and supporting students when they need help.

Seeing Zaio recognised at the News24 x Lula SME Awards was especially rewarding because it acknowledged an organisation that so many people have worked hard to build.

We're proud of the progress we've made, and even prouder of the community that has grown around Zaio.

A win for the entire Zaio team

While 2 awards may have been presented on stage, the achievement belongs to far more people than those who were there to receive them.

Behind Zaio is a dedicated team of educators, tutors, student support specialists, programme developers, designers, marketers and operational staff. Each person contributes in a different way, but we are all working towards the same goal: delivering an education experience that helps students develop valuable skills.

From the first interaction someone has with Zaio to the day they complete their studies, countless people work together to make that journey possible. It's a collective effort that requires creativity, patience, collaboration and a willingness to keep improving.

Our students, graduates and partners have also played an important part in shaping who we are. Their feedback challenges us to do better, their achievements inspire us and their continued trust makes it possible for Zaio to keep growing.

These awards may have Zaio's name on them, but they represent the effort and commitment of an entire community. That is something we're incredibly proud of.

An exciting chapter in Zaio's journey

Winning Small Business of the Year and Service Business of the Year is a milestone we will always look back on with pride. It represents how far Zaio has come, while giving us even more reason to be excited about what lies ahead.

Technology continues to change the way people live and work, creating opportunities for those equipped with the right skills. As an education provider, we want to keep playing a meaningful role in helping learners prepare for those opportunities.

That means continuing to strengthen our programmes, invest in the student experience and find better ways to support people at different stages of their learning journeys.

We have ambitious plans for Zaio's future, and this recognition has made us even more determined to pursue them. There is still plenty to learn, improve and build, and we're looking forward to everything that comes next.

Thank you for being part of this milestone

To News24 and Lula, thank you for recognising Zaio Institute of Technology and for celebrating the businesses contributing to South Africa's entrepreneurial landscape.

To our incredible team, thank you for the dedication, creativity and determination you bring to Zaio every day. Your work, both seen and unseen, has helped make this achievement possible.

And to our students, graduates and partners, thank you for believing in what we're building and allowing us to be part of your journeys. Your trust and support mean more to us than we can express.

The evening of 29 October 2026 will always hold a special place in Zaio's story. We'll remember the excitement of hearing our name announced, celebrating with our colleagues and bringing home 2 awards that represent so much hard work.

We'll also remember the former student who approached us to share how much their learning experience had meant to them. That conversation added something to the evening that no trophy could capture.

We're incredibly proud to be recognised as Small Business of the Year and Service Business of the Year. This is a milestone worth celebrating, and we're excited to keep building on it together.

Read more about our double win in the News24 feature on Zaio Institute of Technology.