Aya Africa
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Falling Forward SMME Hub

Bringing together local vendors at a series of live Falling Forward events across South Africa.

Apply to become a vendor

What Makes This Different?

The Falling Forward SMME Business Hub is built to give small businesses a proper platform, real support on the day, and something to carry forward afterwards.

Curated, not crowded

A market that’s put together with intention

Each Falling Forward event brings together a focused group of local businesses. The space is organised, well-managed, and designed so vendors can properly showcase their work. You’re not lost in a crowd. You’re part of a market that’s been thought through.

Office discussion scene

Curated, not crowded

A market that’s put together with intention

Each Falling Forward event brings together a focused group of local businesses. The space is organised, well-managed, and designed so vendors can properly showcase their work. You’re not lost in a crowd. You’re part of a market that’s been thought through.

Office discussion scene

More than just trading

Support beyond the stall

Trading is just one part of the experience. Vendors who want it can access practical support around selling, pricing, branding, and running their business beyond the event, with guidance from partners connected to AYA Africa. What you take forward is up to you.

Two Men Using Laptop

More than just trading

Support beyond the stall

Trading is just one part of the experience. Vendors who want it can access practical support around selling, pricing, branding, and running their business beyond the event, with guidance from partners connected to AYA Africa. What you take forward is up to you.

Two Men Using Laptop

Connections that stick

Real connection, not just foot traffic

The Business Hub creates space for vendors to meet other business owners, collaborators, and organisations in a way that feels natural, not forced. The focus is on building relationships that can continue after the market day.

Team member discussing

Connections that stick

Real connection, not just foot traffic

The Business Hub creates space for vendors to meet other business owners, collaborators, and organisations in a way that feels natural, not forced. The focus is on building relationships that can continue after the market day.

Team member discussing

Built for what’s next

What happens after still matters

Success isn’t measured by one day of trading. The aim is for businesses to leave more confident, better connected, and better equipped than when they arrived, whether that’s through continued trading, new connections, or clearer direction for what comes next.

Team member discussing

Built for what’s next

What happens after still matters

Success isn’t measured by one day of trading. The aim is for businesses to leave more confident, better connected, and better equipped than when they arrived, whether that’s through continued trading, new connections, or clearer direction for what comes next.

Team member discussing

Vendor Categories

Who Should Apply?

Food and beverage vendors

Fashion and accessories

Beauty and wellness brands

Art, design, and handmade goods

Lifestyle and home products

Specialty and artisan products

Dates & Locations

Roadshow Dates & Locations

Origins - Where the Story Began:

04 March

Makhanda (Grahamstown), Guy Butler Theatre

Origins - Where the Story Began:

05 March

Gqeberha (PE), Boardwalk Hotel

Resilience - Finding Balance in Chaos

11 March

Montecasino (JHB), Teatro

Forward - The Final Chapter

08 April

Century City (Cape Town), Century City Convention Centre

Forward - The Final Chapter

19 March

Grace Church Umhlanga (Durban)

Origins - Where the Story Began:

04 March

Makhanda (Grahamstown), Guy Butler Theatre

Origins - Where the Story Began:

05 March

Gqeberha (PE), Boardwalk Hotel

Resilience - Finding Balance in Chaos

11 March

Montecasino (JHB), Teatro

Forward - The Final Chapter

08 April

Century City (Cape Town), Century City Convention Centre

Forward - The Final Chapter

19 March

Grace Church Umhlanga (Durban)

Origins - Where the Story Began:

04 March

Makhanda (Grahamstown), Guy Butler Theatre

Origins - Where the Story Began:

05 March

Gqeberha (PE), Boardwalk Hotel

Resilience - Finding Balance in Chaos

11 March

Montecasino (JHB), Teatro

Forward - The Final Chapter

08 April

Century City (Cape Town), Century City Convention Centre

Forward - The Final Chapter

19 March

Grace Church Umhlanga (Durban)

FAQs

Answers to Common
Questions About AYA x Falling Forward

Do I have to pay to apply?

No. Submitting a vendor application is free.

Does submitting an application guarantee a stall?

No. All applications are reviewed and vendors are selected based on suitability, availability, and overall fit for each event.

Can I apply for more than one city?

Yes. You may apply for one or multiple locations in the application form.

When will I hear back about my application?

Vendors will be contacted once the selection process has been completed for each city.

Do I need to already be registered on Aya Africa?

No. Selected vendors who are not yet on Aya Africa will be guided through the onboarding process.

Our team will be on-site to manage vendor coordination, assist with setup, and provide support throughout the event.

Najaf is hosted on SOC 2 & ISO 27001-certified infrastructure (AWS + Cloudflare), uses AES-256 encryption at rest and TLS 1.2+ in transit, and offers SSO, 2FA, and role-based access controls.

A Najaf logo

Aya Africa supports African businesses by providing tools, infrastructure, and access to new markets, both online and in person.

Apply to Become a Vendor

A Najaf logo

Aya Africa supports African businesses by providing tools, infrastructure, and access to new markets, both online and in person.

Apply to Become a Vendor

A Najaf logo

Aya Africa supports African businesses by providing tools, infrastructure, and access to new markets, both online and in person.

Apply to Become a Vendor