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Sarah Van Der Merwe

Sarah Van Der Merwe

SME Business Mentor

SME Growth Coach with 12+ years helping small businesses navigate the tender landscape. Passionate about supplier development and business readiness.

29
Articles
166
Min Read Time
51
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Areas of Expertise
Provincial GuidesFree State TendersSMME OpportunitiesWestern Cape TendersPort LogisticsGeneralSpecializationEfficiency

Most Popular Articles

All Articles

311 total
Provincial Guides

State of Procurement: Free State Government Tender Report (February 2026)

Exploring the Free State's procurement landscape for February 2026. Discover how the 'Breadbasket of the Nation' is prioritizing localized security panels, administrative supply chain modernization, and institutional support services for SMMEs.

24 Feb 20267 min
Provincial Guides

State of Procurement: Western Cape Government Tender Report (February 2026)

Analyzing the Western Cape's procurement trends for February 2026. Discover how the province is prioritizing port efficiency, metropolitan service delivery, and specialized industrial maintenance in its latest tender invitations.

24 Feb 20267 min
General

Why Regional Specialization Wins More Tenders

Understanding the nuances of regional procurement and how focusing on specific locations can improve your success rate.

21 Feb 20261 min
Strategy

The Psychology of Pricing: Winning Without Being the Cheapest

Evaluators are human. They fear risk. Learn how to price your bid to signal quality and reliability, even if you aren't the lowest bidder.

18 Feb 20264 min
Finance

How to Price Your Tender Competitively

Pricing is an art. Too high, you lose. Too low, you go bankrupt. We break down the cost-plus vs. market-based pricing models for tenders.

17 Feb 20265 min
Strategy

The Risks of Copy-Pasting Tender Responses

Using 'Find and Replace' is a dangerous game. We explain why generic proposals get rejected and how to customize your bid efficiently.

16 Feb 20264 min
Strategy

Professional Tender Documents: Why Templates Matter

First impressions count. An unprofessional, poorly formatted tender document screams 'risk' to the evaluator. Learn how to structure your bid for success.

15 Feb 20264 min
Strategy

Stop Wasting Time on Tenders You Can't Win

Efficiency is key. Learn how to spot 'rigged' tenders, tenders that are too big for you, and tenders that are just a distraction.

14 Feb 20264 min
Strategy

Are You Ready to Tender? The Assessment Guide

It's not just about compliance. It's about capacity, cash flow, and capability. Take our readiness assessment before you buy that tender document.

13 Feb 20264 min
Strategy

Targeting Underserved Provinces for Higher Win Rates

Tired of competing with 500 other companies? We explain the strategy of 'Blue Ocean' tendering by focusing on overlooked provinces.

12 Feb 20265 min
Market Intelligence

Where are the Tenders? Using Provincial Data to Find Opportunities

Gauteng is not the only place with work. Discover how to use provincial data to find less competitive tenders in other regions.

11 Feb 20264 min
Supplies

Agricultural Supplies: Seeds, Feeds, and Fertilizers

The Department of Agriculture supports rural development through massive inputs. Supplying seeds, animal feed, and fertilizers to emerging farmers.

10 Feb 20261 min
Strategy

The Last-Minute Tender Panic: How to Avoid It

Panic leads to mistakes. Mistakes lead to disqualification. Learn the psychological triggers of last-minute stress and how to build a calm, winning bid machine.

10 Feb 20265 min
General

Understanding BBBEE levels - Complete Guide for South African Businesses (2026)

Learn everything you need to know about understanding bbbee levels for South African businesses. This comprehensive guide covers requirements, step-by-step processes, and how to use Tenders-SA.org to find relevant opportunities.

09 Feb 20268 min
General

How to register on CSD - Complete Guide for South African Businesses (2026)

Learn everything you need to know about how to register on csd for South African businesses. This comprehensive guide covers requirements, step-by-step processes, and how to use Tenders-SA.org to find relevant opportunities.

09 Feb 20268 min
General

BBBEE affidavit vs certificate for tenders - Complete Guide for South African Businesses (2026)

Learn everything you need to know about bbbee affidavit vs certificate for tenders for South African businesses. This comprehensive guide covers requirements, step-by-step processes, and how to use Tenders-SA.org to find relevant opportunities.

09 Feb 20268 min
General

How to get CIDB registration - Complete Guide for South African Businesses (2026)

Learn everything you need to know about how to get cidb registration for South African businesses. This comprehensive guide covers requirements, step-by-step processes, and how to use Tenders-SA.org to find relevant opportunities.

09 Feb 20264 min
Strategy

Tender Pricing Strategy: How to Price to Win (2026)

Pricing is an art. Too high, and you lose points. Too low, and you go bankrupt. Practical strategies for competitive tender pricing.

09 Feb 20266 min
Compliance

How to Plan Your Tender Response Timeline

A tender closes at 11:00 AM. If you start at 9:00 AM, you've already lost. Learn how to break down the work into a winning schedule.

09 Feb 20264 min
Compliance

B-BBEE Sworn Affidavit vs Certificate: What Do You Need?

Don't pay for a certificate if you don't need one. Learn when a Sworn Affidavit is legally sufficient for tenders.

08 Feb 20264 min
    Sarah Van Der Merwe - SME Business Mentor - Tenders SA Blog