Western Cape entrepreneurs called to judge Premier’s Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards
An open call has been made for the province’s top businesspeople to judge the Western Cape’s most prestigious entrepreneurship awards.
This year, the Western Cape Government is appealing to local entrepreneurs to sit on the adjudication panel for the Premier’s Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards.
Now in its fourth year, PERA seeks to reward excellence amongst Western Cape entrepreneurs.
It is an initiative of the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
Last year, over 300 businesses entered the awards. The winners shared R1.8 million in prize money, with the overall winner also receiving an overseas trip.
The criteria for judges include:
- Established and successful entrepreneurs;
- Senior members of staff within business support organisations;
- Experience within the entrepreneurship field.
They will select winners in the following categories:
- Emerging Business
- Established Business
- Social Enterprise
- Innovative Student Business Idea
- Most Innovative Business
- Job-creating Business
- Emerging Rural Business
- Emerging Tourism Business
- Emerging Agri-Processing Business
- School Business Idea
- Business with Global Reach
Premier Helen Zille said that the annual awards continue to grow in stature, with entries and prize money increasing each year. “We are looking for entrepreneurs with inspiring stories to lead our judging panel this year. We believe those who have “been there, done that” are best placed to honour and reward our province’s growing base of entrepreneurs.”
Alan Winde, Western Cape MEC of Economic Opportunities, said the province was home to a pool of talented entrepreneurs.
“In the Western Cape, we have innovative entrepreneurs who are taking risks to grow the economy. It is through their hard work that we emerged as South Africa’s leading job creator in 2015. Entrepreneurs employ over a half a million residents in this province. Entrepreneurial excellence is our competitive advantage and that is why we are turning to our own to help us award the heroes of our economy,” said MEC Winde.
Ten judges are required. To apply to form part of the judge’s panel, kindly submit a brief Curriculum Vitae together with a cover letter to Patricia.september@westerncape.gov.za or Mfundo.vika@westerncape.gov.za.
For further information please contact Patricia September on 021 483 8768 or Mfundo Vika on 021 483 5735 or visit www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/edat for more information.
In addition to the call for judges, the request for sponsorship for this year’s awards has also been announced. Past sponsors include Absa, Deloitte, Business Partners and Entrepreneurs’ Organisation. For further details, please see attached.
Enquiries:
Bronwynne Jooste
Spokesperson: Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 060 970 4301
Email: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
