Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, and Deputy Minister, Ms Dipuo Peters, will this week host the Presidential SMME and Cooperatives Awards. The 2023 Presidential SMME and Cooperatives Awards are the second edition following the first instalment hosted by the department in November 2022.
These annual awards are meant to acknowledge, encourage and celebrate excellence among small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and cooperatives by giving them national exposure and recognition. The awards recognise the work of those who continue to make great strides as entrepreneurs and contribute to the growth of the economy of the country.
The National Presidential SMME Awards celebrate enterprises that have shown remarkable resilience and innovation. They pay tribute to SMMEs, cooperatives and organisations that have made a significant contribution towards sustainable small business development. They recognise outstanding performance and innovation that are making a positive impact on the economy of our country. Through the awards, we also seek to mobilise and coordinate all key role players in support of small enterprise development.
The interest from SMMEs and sponsors about the 2023 edition of the Presidential SMME and Cooperatives Awards has been overwhelming. A total of 3810 entries were received at the close of the nomination period on 13 October 2023. From this number, 148 entries qualified and proceeded to the adjudication stage. An audit company was appointed to ensure fairness and objectivity in the assessment of entries. For the department and the Minister, the integrity and credibility of the process is of paramount importance.
The following categories will be recognised; Cooperative of the year, Best-Employing Cooperative of the year, Best Performing Rural Cooperative Banking Institution, Best Performing Urban-Township Cooperative Banking Institution, SMME Business owned by person with disabilities, Youth-Led SMME of the Year, Homegrown SMME of the Year, Rural Based SMME of the Year, Breaking Ground SMME of the Year, Women led SMME of the Year, Start-up Business of the Year, Township SMME of the Year, Social Enterprise of the Year and Business Development Services Provider of the Year.
Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams will also announce recipients of the Minister’s Discretionary Awards in the following categories: Award for Supporting Small Business Development for More Than 20 years, Award for Innovative Solutions for Small Businesses, Award for Small Business Investment, Ecosystem Facilitator and Champion of the Year and Ecosystem Champion in supporting Informal Businesses and Innovation in the Agri Space.
The Presidential SMME and Cooperatives Awards will be held as follows:
Date: Friday, 17 November 2023
Time: 17:00
Venue: Indaba Hotel Bryanston, Fourways, Johannesburg
Members of the media are requested to confirm their attendance with Ms Moira Mogomotsi (082 749 1558, MMogomotsi@dsbd.gov.za).
Enquiries:
Cornelius Monama
Tel: 082 578 4063
E-mail: cmonama@dsbd.gov.za / cmonama@gmail.com
