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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
52
Total Views
Areas of Expertise
Provincial GuidesFree State TendersSMME OpportunitiesWestern Cape TendersPort LogisticsGeneralSpecializationEfficiency

Most Popular Articles

Articles - Page 12

311 total
BBBEE

What is a BBBEE Affidavit? (And How to Fill It Out)

A BBBEE Sworn Affidavit is the easiest way for small businesses to prove their compliance. Learn which template to use, how to complete it, and where to get it signed.

10 Mar 20251 min
Provincial Guides

KZN Treasury Database Registration and eThekwini Supplier Setup Guide

Practical guide to registering on KZN Provincial Treasury and eThekwini supplier databases. Step-by-step instructions, document requirements, and troubleshooting for Durban metro and provincial tenders.

05 Mar 202510 min
Tender Strategy

Tender Application Best Practices: The Ultimate Guide

Winning tenders isn't luck; it's a process. Follow these best practices to streamline your bid preparation, improve compliance, and increase your win rate.

05 Mar 20251 min
Tender Strategy

How to Price Your Tender Proposal for Success

Pricing is the most critical part of your tender bid. Learn how to calculate costs accurately, choose the right pricing strategy, and avoid the 'race to the bottom'.

01 Mar 20251 min
Provincial Guides

Complete Guide to KwaZulu-Natal Tenders - Provincial Procurement 2025

Comprehensive guide to securing government tenders in KwaZulu-Natal. Learn about the Durban municipality tender portal registration 2025, how to find government tenders in KZN, and port logistics opportunities.

01 Mar 20259 min
Tender Scoring

The 80/20 Preference Point System Explained

Understand how government tenders are scored using the 80/20 preference point system. Learn how price and BBBEE levels affect your final score.

25 Feb 20251 min
Provincial Guides

Western Cape Supplier Database Registration - Complete Setup Guide

Step-by-step guide to registering on Western Cape supplier databases. CSD, provincial portals, municipal systems, and sector-specific registrations with verification procedures and troubleshooting.

25 Feb 202511 min
Procurement Basics

RFI vs. RFQ vs. RFP: What's the Difference?

Confused by procurement acronyms? Learn the critical differences between Request for Information (RFI), Request for Quotation (RFQ), and Request for Proposal (RFP).

20 Feb 20251 min
Provincial Guides

Western Cape Tourism and Agriculture Tenders - Sector Opportunities 2025

Discover specialized tender opportunities in Western Cape's tourism and agricultural sectors. Wine industry, hospitality, agro-processing, and heritage site tenders with practical bidding strategies.

20 Feb 20259 min
Tender Tips

10 Common Tender Application Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Why do most tender applications fail? Discover the top 10 mistakes that lead to disqualification and learn how to submit a compliant, winning bid.

15 Feb 20251 min
Provincial Guides

Complete Guide to Western Cape Tenders - Provincial Procurement 2025

Comprehensive guide to securing government tenders in Western Cape. Learn about the Western Cape government tender portal registration guide, City of Cape Town municipality tender opportunities 2025, and solar energy tenders.

15 Feb 20258 min
Construction

The Complete CIDB Guide for Construction Tenders

Everything you need to know about CIDB grading, registration, and upgrades. Understand how to qualify for higher-value construction tenders in South Africa.

10 Feb 20251 min
Provincial Guides

How to Grow Your Gauteng Business Through Government Tenders

Practical strategies for leveraging government tenders to scale your Gauteng business. From first contract to sustainable growth - quotations, subcontracting, capacity building, and expansion tactics.

10 Feb 202510 min
Sector Compliance

BCCCI Compliance for Cleaning Tenders: A Complete Guide

Winning cleaning tenders requires more than just a good price. You need to be compliant with the Bargaining Council for Contract Cleaning Services (BCCCI). Here's how.

05 Feb 20251 min
Provincial Guides

Gauteng Tender Compliance Checklist - Complete Requirements Guide

Master mandatory compliance requirements for Gauteng government tenders. Complete checklist covering CSD, CIDB, BBBEE, tax clearance, and municipal-specific requirements with step-by-step verification.

05 Feb 202511 min
BBBEE

BBBEE Affidavit vs. Certificate: Which One Do You Need?

Confused about whether you need a Sworn Affidavit or a SANAS-accredited BBBEE Certificate? This guide explains the differences, requirements, and when to use each.

01 Feb 20251 min
Provincial Guides

Top 5 Sectors for Tenders in Gauteng - 2025 Outlook

Discover the highest-growth tender sectors in Gauteng for 2025. Data-driven insights on construction, IT, healthcare, professional services, and infrastructure opportunities in South Africa's economic hub.

01 Feb 202514 min
Compliance

How to Get Your SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN

A complete guide to obtaining your Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN from SARS. Learn how to register on eFiling, fix non-compliance, and maintain your status for tenders.

28 Jan 20251 min
Business Growth

How to Create a Joint Venture for Tenders: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to form a successful Joint Venture (JV) for government tenders. Covers legal requirements, JV agreements, profit sharing, and risk management.

25 Jan 20251 min
Provincial Guides

Ultimate Guide to Government Tenders in Gauteng 2025

Complete guide to securing government tenders in Gauteng. Learn how to find government tenders in Gauteng 2025, from Johannesburg municipality opportunities for small businesses to provincial infrastructure projects.

20 Jan 20259 min