Giuseppe Plumari, chief executive officer of Steyn City Properties, was named business person of the year at this year’s Nedbank Business Excellence Awards.
Awards were handed out during a gala dinner hosted at the Wanderers Club in Illovo by the Italian South African Chamber Of Trade And Industries.
“I feel so honoured to win this award. I am proud to have been selected as an ambassador of my birth country and equally proud of the recognition of my efforts at contributing to South African society, the economy and our vision for creating a lifestyle like none other, Steyn City,” Plumari said.
He explained that it was both humbling and meaningful to have been recognised for having made a contribution to the economy and this beautiful country of ours. “However, I share this award with my whole team who have been instrumental in helping me achieve my vision and goal including job creation among the local community of Diepsloot.”
Plumari said the award would act as a great motivator in believing in the future of South Africa in spite of their economic and political uncertainty which bring many challenges to corporate South Africa.
Looking back at his journey, Plumari said the last few years have seen the country go through trying times. “An example of this was when we launched our development in 2015 which was the start of the financial downturn and yet despite this, investors have had confidence in our vision and this recognition has made the many challenges and hurdles of recent that much more worthwhile.”
Now in its 18th year, the annual awards ceremony recognised the Italian South-African business community’s contribution to the economic growth of the country.
Plumari left his humble origins in Italy to establish one of the country’s most successful property development companies.