In the dynamic world of business, tenders are the lifeblood of growth and development. They are more than just procurement documents; they are invitations to build the future. Whether it is the government seeking to upgrade infrastructure or a state-owned enterprise looking for cutting-edge technology, tender opportunities serve as a bridge between public needs and private sector innovation.

Staying ahead in the competitive landscape means identifying the best tenders that align with your business capabilities. From construction and engineering to professional services and IT, government tenders and business tenders offer a pathway to substantial revenue and long-term partnerships.

Below, we have curated a list of the top 10 most exciting and significant tenders currently open. These opportunities stand out for their scale, uniqueness, or potential for community impact.

1. The Smart Driving Licence Card Solution

Organisation: Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA)
Tender Number: DLCA/2025/03
Closing Date: 20 March 2026

Overview:
This is arguably one of the most significant government tenders of the year. The DLCA is looking for a service provider to provide a turnkey solution for the personalization, printing, and distribution of the new Smart Driving Licence Cards in South Africa.

Why It Stands Out:
This isn’t just a printing contract; it’s a massive national security and infrastructure project. The move to “Smart” cards implies a need for high-end technology, security features, and data management.

Key Benefit:
Long-term contract stability and national visibility as the provider behind every South African driver’s licence.

Potential Outcome:
The successful bidder will play a pivotal role in modernizing South Africa’s transport infrastructure, affecting millions of drivers and reducing card fraud.

2. Strategic Risk & Compliance Digital Transformation

Organisation: Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA)
Tender Number: BS/2025/RFB531
Closing Date: 06 March 2026

Overview:
BANKSETA is seeking to appoint a service provider for the provision of a hosted Risk Management and Compliance solution for a period of three years.

Why It Stands Out:
This is a pure SaaS/cloud procurement at a national SETA level. It represents the public sector’s move away from legacy systems toward modern, hosted governance platforms.

Key Benefit:
A three-year recurring revenue contract with a key education authority, validating the bidder’s enterprise-grade compliance software capabilities.

Potential Outcome:
Streamlined risk reporting and POPIA/King IV compliance for the banking skills development sector, setting a precedent for other SETAs.

3. Massive Municipal Solid Waste Transport Contract

Organisation: Drakenstein Municipality
Tender Number: CES 15.2025
Closing Date: 19 March 2026

Overview:
The provision of Transportation of Municipal Solid Waste for a period up to 30 June 2029. This is a compulsory briefing tender (25 Feb 2026) for a core municipal service.

Why It Stands Out:
A long-term (3+ years) logistics contract covering one of the Western Cape’s largest municipalities. The contract value is expected to be substantial given the daily volume of waste.

Key Benefit:
A guaranteed revenue stream for a fleet owner/operator. The multi-year nature allows for fleet investment planning.

Potential Outcome:
Reliable and compliant waste disposal, reducing illegal dumping and environmental hazards in the Drakenstein region.

4. National Treasury Records Management Partnership

Organisation: National Treasury
Tender Number: NT003-2026
Closing Date: 06 March 2026

Overview:
The appointment of a service provider for the provision of off-site records management storage services for a period of three (3) years.

Why It Stands Out:
This is a contract with the heart of South Africa’s financial governance. It requires secure, auditable, and professional document storage and retrieval services.

Key Benefit:
Working directly with National Treasury offers immense prestige and opens doors to other national departments. The three-year term provides stability.

Potential Outcome:
Secure preservation and efficient management of South Africa’s critical financial records, ensuring accountability and historical archiving.

5. PPE Supply Chain for Drakenstein Municipality

Organisation: Drakenstein Municipality
Tender Number: PROC 1-2026
Closing Date: 12 March 2026

Overview:
Supply and Delivery of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Clothing for a period up to 30 June 2029.

Why It Stands Out:
PPE is a high-volume, recurring procurement category for any large municipality. This 3-year framework agreement guarantees multiple purchase orders.

Key Benefit:
Ideal for B-BBEE level 1 suppliers and clothing/textile manufacturers. Long-term contract allows for bulk procurement advantages.

Potential Outcome:
Consistent, quality PPE supply for municipal workers, ensuring occupational health and safety compliance across all departments.

6. Pest Control Services – 3 Year Panel

Organisation: Swellendam Municipality
Tender Number: SMQ43-25/26
Closing Date: 20 February 2026

Overview:
Provision of Pest Control Services for a 3 year period. This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) level tender, making it accessible to smaller service providers.

Why It Stands Out:
This is a classic “panel” appointment. It offers a small business the chance to secure a three-year municipal contract with relatively low entry barriers.

Key Benefit:
Recurring monthly revenue and the prestige of a municipal reference client. Urgency: Closes in just 8 days.

Potential Outcome:
Improved public health and hygiene standards across municipal buildings and public spaces in Swellendam.

7. Municipal Office Furniture Rollout

Organisation: Sundays River Valley Municipality
Tender Number: SRVM-RFQ-22-2026
Closing Date: 19 February 2026

Overview:
Supply and Delivery of Office Furniture. A straight-forward, once-off RFQ for a rural municipality in the Eastern Cape.

Why It Stands Out:
Ideal for furniture manufacturers or office furnishing suppliers looking for a quick cash flow injection. No compulsory briefing simplifies the process.

Key Benefit:
Fast turnaround procurement (closes Feb 19). Perfect opportunity for SMMEs in the furniture sector.

Potential Outcome:
Improved working environment for municipal staff, enhancing productivity and service delivery.

8. Laptop Supply for Northern Cape Municipality

Organisation: Umsobomvu Local Municipality
Tender Number: UMS/FIN/LAPTOPS/11/2025 (Re-Advert)
Closing Date: 18 February 2026

Overview:
Supply and Delivery of Laptops. A re-advertised RFQ, indicating a confirmed budget and urgent need.

Why It Stands Out:
This is the most urgent tender on our list (closes Feb 18). IT hardware suppliers with stock ready to deliver can secure a deal within days.

Key Benefit:
Immediate order and payment cycle. Re-advertisement suggests the municipality is eager to finalize the procurement.

Potential Outcome:
Enhanced digital capacity for municipal officials, supporting e-governance initiatives in the Northern Cape.

9. Copy Paper Supply – 3 Year Contract

Organisation: Drakenstein Municipality
Tender Number: PROC 3-2026
Closing Date: 05 March 2026

Overview:
Supply and Delivery of Copy Paper for a period up to 30 June 2029.

Why It Stands Out:
Stationery is the ultimate “bread and butter” government supply contract. This is high-volume, predictable demand over a multi-year period.

Key Benefit:
Perfect for office supplies companies. Predictable quarterly orders allow for efficient stock management and cash flow forecasting.

Potential Outcome:
Seamless administrative operations across all municipal departments, from HR to revenue collection.

10. Toilet Paper & Hand Towels – Long Term Supply

Organisation: Drakenstein Municipality
Tender Number: PROC 2-2026
Closing Date: 05 March 2026

Overview:
Supply and Delivery of Toilet Paper and Hand Paper Towels for a period up to 30 June 2029.

Why It Stands Out:
Often overlooked, hygiene consumables are mandatory, non-negotiable expenditure for any public entity. This is a low-risk, high-volume contract.

Key Benefit:
Guaranteed demand over 3+ years. Low technical barriers to entry, ideal for SMMEs and suppliers of cleaning products.

Potential Outcome:
Maintenance of dignified sanitation standards for municipal employees and ratepayers visiting municipal facilities.

Summary of Verified Opportunities

Conclusion

Drakenstein Municipality emerges as a dominant buyer this week, offering multiple multi-year framework agreements ideal for SMMEs and established suppliers alike. Urgent opportunities exist in the Northern Cape (laptops) and Eastern Cape (furniture) for suppliers with ready stock.

Share Your Thoughts

Have you had success applying for government or business tenders recently? Or do you find the compliance requirements daunting? Share your thoughts, experiences, or questions in the comments section below! We’d love to hear from our community of entrepreneurs.

Pro Tip: Before you apply, make sure your business documents are in order. A solid Business Plan and a professional Company Profile can make all the difference. Need help creating one? Check out our recommended tools:

• 📄 Create a Winning Business Plan
• 👔 Build a Professional Company CV

Good luck with your tendering journey!