Pretoria – South Africa’s hardest working businesspeople have been duly recognised at the 4th Annual Premier Business Awards.
The glittering ceremony was held on Tuesday evening at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Renowned businesswoman Gloria Serobe -- Founder and Executive Director of Wiphold, and Non-Executive Director of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited and Nedcor Bank Limited – was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.
Speaking at the prestigious event, Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said the awards, which have been held since 2013, honour business excellence, which is greatly needed in South Africa.
The awards are held annually in partnership with Proudly South Africa and Brand South Africa. They recognise business excellence and honour enterprises that promote the spirit of success, innovation and job creation, among others.
“What we need in this country is business excellence, role models and people who can show the way to others to move our economy forward,” said Minister Davies.
Over the years, the categories in the awards have been refined down to 11 categories. This year categories included the Young Entrepreneur Award, Proudly South African Enterprise Award and the Black Industrialist Award.
Minister Davies used the platform to highlight the successes of the Black Industrialist Programme.
“… 24 black industrialists have been supported by the programme. Our target is to support 30 [industrialists] this financial year. We are looking to support 30 more in the next financial year and 40 more in the third financial year, which will be the first target of a 100,” said the Minister.
Thata uBeke Manufacturing (Pty) Ltd received the Black Industrialist Award. Other winners of the night included Baclan Energy Pty Ltd trading and e-Waste Africa, which received the Young Entrepreneur Award.
In the SMME Award category, Computers 4 Kids cc and AM Group (Pty) Ltd were the joint winners.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Handing over the fourth Lifetime Achievement Award since the inception of the awards, Minister Davies applauded Wiphold – an investment and operating company owned and managed entirely by black women.
The Lifetime Award goes to individuals who have over a long period of time made a significant contribution.
“Through that award, we try to single out individuals, who over a long period of time, have made a significant contribution and we can single them out as role models for businesspeople to emulate and follow,” he said.
In receiving her award, Wiphold CEO Serobe said she felt overwhelmed by the accolade.
“The policies of government have made us who we are today. When we are recognised, we can’t get more honoured than that. This award is a burden because you are expected to carry it with honour and integrity. There must never be a time where people say the dti’s award has no credibility,” said Serobe. – SAnews.gov.za
