Community-driven discovery
How KiesSlim works
Most small businesses in South Africa are invisible — not because they're bad, but because nobody can find them. KiesSlim lets the community change that.
The problem
The best businesses are the hardest to find
The cake baker who works from home. The mechanic fixing cars in his driveway. The biltong maker your neighbour swears by. The nail technician at the local market. These businesses are often excellent — but they have no website, no Google listing, no social media presence. They survive on word of mouth alone, and word of mouth doesn't travel far.
Businesses that are often invisible online:
For the community
Nominate a business you know
You don't need to own the business. You just need to know one worth discovering.
Nominate
Name the business, say where they are, and tell people why they deserve to be found. Takes less than two minutes.
It becomes visible immediately
The business appears on KiesSlim as a Community Nominated Business. Local customers searching for that service can now find them.
The owner takes control
The business owner can claim the profile, add photos, update their details, and grow their visibility over time — all for free.
For customers
Discover businesses near you
Search by service type and city. Find local businesses you never knew existed.
Search for a service
Type what you need and your town — e.g. "cake maker Potchefstroom". See local businesses that match, including ones with no social media presence.
Read community reviews
Reviews are verified via WhatsApp — no anonymous accounts, no fake feedback. Real customers, real experiences.
Contact directly via WhatsApp
One tap goes straight to the business. No middleman. No registration required to browse.
The bigger picture
The 100,000 Small Businesses Project
We are mapping 100,000 small businesses across South Africa — one nomination at a time. Not a database project. Not a directory. A community deciding which businesses deserve to be found.
200+ cities
across all 9 provinces
55,000+ businesses
listed and searchable
Community nominated
real people, real picks
Verified reviews
via WhatsApp — always real
Common questions
What is KiesSlim?
KiesSlim is a community-driven discovery network making invisible small businesses in South Africa visible. Most small businesses — home bakers, flea market sellers, one-person service providers — have no online presence. KiesSlim lets the community nominate them so local customers can find them.
How does the nomination system work?
Anyone can nominate a small business they know. You provide the name, location, and a short reason why people should discover them. The business appears on KiesSlim immediately as a community-nominated listing. No payment required. No friction.
Is KiesSlim free?
Yes. Nominating, discovering, reviewing, and contacting businesses is completely free. Business owners can claim and manage their profile for free. Optional paid promotion is available for businesses that want extra visibility — but nothing is gated behind payment.
What kind of businesses can be nominated?
Any small business in South Africa — especially home-based, market-based, or small-shop businesses with no online presence. Home bakers, lawnmower repair, mechanics, nail technicians, biltong makers, seamstresses, tutors — these are exactly who KiesSlim is built for.
Are reviews on KiesSlim real?
Yes. Every review requires WhatsApp phone verification — no anonymous reviews, no fake accounts, one account per phone number. KiesSlim publishes only genuine positive experiences, so every review you read reflects a customer who genuinely recommends that business.
Can I claim my own business?
Yes. If someone has nominated your business — or if you want to add it yourself — you can claim the profile, update your details, add photos, and engage with your community. Go to the business page and tap "Claim this business."
Know a business that deserves to be found?
Nominate them. It takes two minutes. It costs nothing.