After a successful turnout and reception last year, the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards announced that their second edition of celebrating entrepreneurs is set to give the spotlight to the youth in 2023.
During the first installment of the awards ceremony, participants, key stakeholders and representatives of various media companies were all invited to attend the big celebration at the Capital on the Park in Sandton on June 15. The highlight of last year’s event was when Tshepo Mohlala walked on stage to receive his overall top brand award for his company, Tshepo Jeans.
This year organisers of the event are gearing up to make it bigger and better with one main change.
“For the first time in the African continent, the largest number of only youth-owned brands will be housed under one roof for over two days. June 14 and 15. The platform has proven to be powerful through what it has done for the previous winners and nominees. These awards have shined a light on different youth-owned brands across South Africa,” said Khanyi Maisela, who is a representative of Lerato Agency.
The convener of the awards ceremony, Pat Mahlangu, stated that the establishment of the awards is to celebrate the achievements of the youth through career advice and financial support.
The categories for this year’s Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Award will remain the same with a new addition: health and wellness. The other categories are accessories, beverages, agriculture, beauty, apparel, homeware, media, NPO charities, education, personalities and influencers, footwear, food, travel and tourism, technology and services.
Requirements to qualify for the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards:
Must be owned and run by people between the ages of 18 and 35
The brand must be older than 1 year
The brand must have a website (not mandatory) with the brand name as its domain
The brand must be active on social media
Must be operating in one (or more) of the listed categories
Must be South African
The location of the awards which will start on June 14 has not yet been confirmed. For more information with regards to the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Award visit: https://top16yoba.co.za/nominations/.
