After a debut season that drew over 2.3 million views and saw a previously eliminated contestant crowned the winner, Engen The Making Of is back for season 2 – with another R800 000 up for grabs for fearless entrepreneurs.
Sponsored once again by Engen, and powered by Raizcorp, ten bold entrepreneurs will be challenged to develop problem-solving, innovative and profitable products or services – all in just four hours.
“We launched The Making Of to provide an unfiltered, real-world look at what it takes to build a problem-solving product or service from scratch,” says Allon Raiz, a serial entrepreneur and CEO of Raizcorp. “This isn’t theory – it’s execution under pressure and it reflects the true challenges of entrepreneurship in today’s economy.”
The Challenge: Conceptualise, convince, compete.
Each episode throws the contestants into a fast-paced, industry-specific challenge, demanding creativity, strategic thinking and execution – all within an impossibly short timeframe. From initial concept to product design, branding, financial viability and customer insights, contestants must balance creativity with commercial thinking.
They work in teams, but it’s not a collaboration without consequence. After each round, contestants are eliminated – either by the judges or their fellow contestants. As the teams shrink, the pressure grows – and so does the individual prize share.
Real cash, real stakes
Like last season, each of the eight episodes carries a R100 000 prize, split equally among the members of the winning team. In the final round, just one contestant walks away with the full amount – and a personal winnings total that could launch or scale a real business. Season 1 winner Mongezi Masombuka, a 31-year-old IT entrepreneur from Johannesburg, took home R225 000 after battling back from a mid-season elimination. Serving as a catalyst for both mindset and momentum, the competition helped Mongezi turn potential into progress.
“Winning Engen The Making Of (TMO) competition last year was a turning point in my journey as an entrepreneur. The R225 000 cash prize wasn’t just a financial boost – it was the springboard that allowed me to take real, strategic action in my business,” he explains. “Since then, we’ve experienced real growth; our brand visibility has improved, our operational capacity has increased and we’ve brought more people onto our team.”
A show that builds more than drama
Guided by judge and brand strategy powerhouse Heidi Brauer, Engen The Making Of is more than just entertainment – it’s a real-time business masterclass. From creative ideation to financial feasibility, each episode is a crash course in entrepreneurial thinking and the kind of problem-solving that builds real businesses, offering audiences the chance to learn as they watch the drama unfold.
And it’s not just the contestants who can win big – every episode gives the viewers at home a chance to claim a R5 000 Engen voucher to spend on fuel or shop items, simply by tuning in and entering.
Think you’ve got what it takes?
Entries for Engen The Making Of are now open and will be closing 21 July. If you’re a South African citizen aged 18 or older with a registered business, this is your chance to test your thinking, showcase your hustle and win big. Will you crack under the pressure or will you claim the win? Go to www.themaking-of.co.za to enter.
