Resources
Buyer guides and procurement templates
Step-by-step guides for finding, verifying and appointing suppliers in South Africa, each linked to the matching directory categories and paired with a free template.
Verification & procurement
How to verify a supplier in South Africa: a 7-step procurement check
To verify a South African supplier, confirm its CIPC registration, check its SARS tax compliance status with a TCS PIN, validate its B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, confirm its bank account with a bank letter, and keep copies of each document on file before you issue a purchase order.
Read the guideHow to evaluate and compare suppliers on a B2B marketplace
Compare suppliers by agreeing weighted criteria before you see any quotes, scoring each supplier from 1 to 5 on every criterion, and choosing the highest weighted total, not the lowest price.
Read the guide
Industry buying guides
How to choose a catering supplier for corporate events
Choose a corporate caterer that holds a valid Certificate of Acceptability for its kitchen, quotes a per-head price including VAT for a confirmed head count, covers your guests' dietary needs, and puts its deposit and cancellation terms in writing.
Read the guideHow to choose a transport and logistics supplier
Choose a transport or logistics supplier that holds the licences your service needs, carries goods-in-transit insurance for the value you ship, has the fleet capacity for your volumes, and commits to delivery times in writing.
Read the guideHow to source agricultural produce and farm suppliers
Source agricultural suppliers by agreeing product grade, volume and delivery frequency up front, checking the supplier's capacity across the season, confirming cold-chain handling for perishables, and starting with a trial order before a longer agreement.
Read the guideHow to buy ICT and professional services from small businesses
Buy ICT and professional services by defining deliverables and acceptance criteria, signing a POPIA operator agreement if the supplier will handle personal information, agreeing who owns the work, and paying against milestones.
Read the guide
Using BizKonnector
How to write a request for quotation (RFQ) suppliers can answer
A good RFQ states exactly what you need, how much, where and by when, whether prices must include VAT, which documents are mandatory, how quotes will be scored, and the closing date and time.
Read the guide
Free templates
- Supplier verification checklist (CSV)
16 checks across CIPC, SARS, B-BBEE, banking, insurance, POPIA and conflicts of interest, with where to confirm each one.
- Weighted supplier evaluation scorecard (CSV)
Compare up to three suppliers across eight weighted criteria. Opens in Excel or Google Sheets with formulas ready.
- Request for quotation (RFQ) template (CSV)
The 15 fields a supplier needs to quote accurately, with guidance for each.
- Event catering supplier checklist (CSV)
10 checks before you book a caterer, from the Certificate of Acceptability to cancellation terms.