The recipients of the 2nd Annual SA Premier Business Awards – the country's top business awards were announced in Sandton, Gauteng, on Wednesday, 19 March 2013.
Hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry, Proudly South African and Brand SA, the Awards recognise business excellence and honour enterprises which promote the spirit of success and innovation – as well as job creation, good business ethics and quality.
President Jacob Zuma gave the keynote address at the Awards.
"The success of the recipients of these awards this evening demonstrates that our country promotes innovation and success, and that opportunities are being utilised to grow businesses and prosper," said President Zuma.
"More work must be done to improve investment prospects and to encourage youth employment in particular, while not neglecting older workers. More work must also still be done to increase the number of small and medium enterprises," he added.
The top Award for the evening, a "Lifetime Achievement Award", was presented to respected South African business and community leader and icon, Dr. Sam Motsuenyane. President Zuma handed over the Award.
Dr Motsuenyane is well known for his lifetime of service to South Africans – in business, politics and socio-economic development. Although he is an elder citizen, he continues to work tirelessly for the benefit of others.
He is one of the pioneers of black economic empowerment and spearheaded the formation of the African Bank. He served in the first post-apartheid parliament and was South Africa's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. His latest work has been largely unseen to date. Yet he has established roots that are deep and strong in three agricultural projects spanning Gauteng, North West and Mpumalanga provinces. The fruits of his endeavors can be seen and are benefiting rural communities where they are located.
In receiving the Award, he said: "I have worked with many people, most of them who are no more - I salute black business pioneers who are still alive and those who have departed."
Referring to the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and poverty, he added: "We need to create a society of black entrepreneurs to participate in nation building."
Meanwhile, the recipients of the SA Premier Business Awards, per category, were announced as follows:
- Manufacturer Award: Pentafloor CC
- Rural Development Award: Clover Mama Afrika Trust
- Exporter Award: SAAB Grintek Defence (Pty) Ltd
- Media Award: Carte Blanche (Liz Fish for "City Farms")
- Most Empowered Enterprise Award: Coega Development Corporation
- SMME Award: Bhafoni Ba Ntiro (trading as MAID4U)
- Technology Award: Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
- Quality Award: Innovative Mining Products (trading as New Concept Mining)
- Young Entrepreneur Award: Botlhokwa Events & Project
- Women Owned Enterprise Award: Hands On Treatment (Pty) Ltd
- Investor Award: Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
- Proudly South African Enterprise Award: Ekurhuleni Artisans & Skills Training Centre
- Green Award: MechCal
- Play Your Part Award: Botlholwa Events & Projects
The Department of Trade and Industry, Proudly South African and Brand South Africa – who hosted the Awards – have congratulated the recipients and lauded them for promoting the spirit of success, innovation, job creation, good business ethics and quality.
The partners have also thanked the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and ABSA for their contribution to the Awards.
For more information:
Gill de Gouveia, PR Manager: Proudly SA
E-mail: gill@proudlysa.co.za
SidwellMedupe, Departmental Spokesperson
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
