Gauteng Launches TendaSwift to Open More Opportunities for Small Businesses
The Gauteng Provincial Government has unveiled TendaSwift, a new digital e-procurement platform designed to modernise the province’s tender system and create greater access for small businesses and local suppliers.
The platform, developed in partnership with the Gautrain Management Agency, was officially announced by MEC for Finance and Economic Development Lebogang Maile during the tabling of the provincial Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement.
Provincial officials say the system marks a major shift from slow, paper-driven procurement processes to a transparent, automated digital model.
TendaSwift is now available through the Gauteng Provincial Treasury’s e-tender portal, with two government tenders already published on the platform. The first comes from Provincial Treasury, while the second — from the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency — is set to go live on 5 December.
A Modern System Designed for Fair Access
For years, government procurement in Gauteng relied heavily on manual submissions that created delays, inconsistent standards and opportunities for malpractice.
MEC Maile said TendaSwift represents more than a technological upgrade — it is a strategic intervention to level the playing field.
“This system ensures that every supplier, regardless of size or location, has equal access to opportunities,” said Maile. “It supports our mission to modernise procurement while protecting small businesses from the inefficiencies of outdated systems.”
The e-procurement platform also strengthens oversight, reduces administrative bottlenecks and allows suppliers to submit tenders electronically from anywhere, cutting the cost and time associated with traditional paperwork.
Supporting SMMEs Through Digital Tools
In addition to TendaSwift, the province is expanding the use of several other digital systems designed to make government procurement more efficient and more accessible to small enterprises.
Among these is the Purchasing Card (better known as P-Card) system, which allows departments to buy goods and services valued under R30,000 directly from approved merchants.
More than 500 small businesses have already benefited this year, with nearly R3 million in transactions processed monthly through the P-Card platform.
Officials say the tool is playing a vital role in keeping township-based and emerging SMMEs economically active.
The Invoice Management System, launched earlier this year, is also proving effective in helping suppliers track payments and reduce the backlog of unpaid invoices — a major challenge for small companies that depend on steady cash flow. Since April, over 8,000 suppliers have used the system, submitting more than 165,000 invoices worth R35.6 billion. The province reports that 83% of these invoices were paid within the 30-day payment window.
Automating the Future of Procurement
To further modernise financial processes, Gauteng is automating its paper-based Request for Quotation (RFQ) and RLS01 processes in partnership with National Treasury and the Department of e-Government.
The integration of budgeting and procurement functions is expected to streamline approvals, reduce delays and improve accountability.
