The annual Sanlam/Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year awards honoured some of South Africa’s top entrepreneurs.
There were seven categories in which 15 finalists competed in the hope of winning the big prize of being named the entrepreneur of the year.
“Today is about businesses and entrepreneurs to celebrate their success and honouring the guys that take risks and really work hard to contribute to the economy,” said Christo Botes, executive director of Business Partners.
The winner of the small business enterprise category was Bryan Anderson for his business, Delta Steam Systems. The medium business enterprise and innovator of the year went to Nadir and Ahmed Shaazim Khamissa for their company, Hello Mobile.
Kim Whitaker won the award for emerging entrepreneur for her business Once in Cape Town; and job creator of the year went to Lewis Thomas, owner of Partners Hair Design.
The judges prize was awarded to Ncamisile Maphumulo for her business, Coastal Nephrology Centre which provides kidney dialysis treatment in the rural parts of KwaZulu-Natal. “I am so excited,” she said.
“I just couldn’t believe it when they called my name. I am glad that my kind of business is being recognised.”
The grand prize of entrepreneur of the year award went to Gil Oved and Ran Neu-Ner, founders of The Creative Counsel. “We feel very humbled to have been chosen as the winners,” said Neu-Ner.
“We are pledging the R100 000 prize money towards helping other entrepreneurs.”
Frances Wright, a member of the judging panel said, “These two entrepreneurs have perfected job creation in that they employ candidates deemed ‘unemployable’ by employers and focus on up-skilling them, and, therefore make a significant contribution to not only the economy, but to job creation too. The business has also shown consistent growth while maintaining a healthy net profit over the years.”
Details: www.eoy.co.za
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