Youth-Owned Brands Awards celebrate African entrepreneurial disrupters
The winning brands showcased exceptional impact and innovation in their respective fields.
The prestigious Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards concluded its third annual ceremony at The Capital on The Park in Sandton, on June 22.
The awards celebrated the remarkable achievements of young African brand owners who redefined industries and demonstrated exceptional excellence in building their brands.
From a competitive pool of 76 nominees across Africa, voted by more than 30 000 individuals, the winning brands have showcased exceptional impact and innovation in their respective fields. The awards not only recognise entrepreneurial success but also the profound contributions of youth-led initiatives to the African business landscape.
The winners were as follows:
- Top Agriculture – Optimum Poultry
- Top Apparel – Active Lifestyle
- Top Creative and Arts – Karabo Poppy
- Top East Africa – The Hills Collection
- Top Education and Literature – Sivuyile Mentorship Academy
- Top Food and Beverages – Ghemere
- Top Footwear and Accessories – Khonkhe Kuhamba Kahle
- Top Hair and Beauty – Young Barber
- Top Health and Wellness – Zuri Nutrition
- Top Homeware – Kimmy’s Creation
- Top Manufacturing – Grace Gras Empire
- Top Media – Millennial Mindset Media
- Top NPOs and Charities – Nomzamo Lighthouse Foundation
- Top Personalities & Influencers – Robot Boii
- Top SADC – Batoka Africa
- Top Services – Mdu Cleaning Services
- Top Technology – Bothlale AI Solutions
- Top Travel and Tourism – Bee Travel
- Top West Africa – Kemz Mama.
In addition to these remarkable winners, Robot Boii was also honoured as the Overall Top Brand, embodying excellence as a personality and influencer within the industry.
“The Overall Top Brand award is personal to me,” said Robot Boii. “In all my interviews I always tell my people to not only build careers but brands because when you are a brand you can change careers and not die when a career dies. You can do multiple things and understand that it is all possible.”
The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards, in collaboration with Brand SA, presented the first Global Excellence Award to South African fashion icon Thebe Magugu.
Reflecting on his achievement, Thebe Magugu remarked, “It’s nice to see people who can acknowledge the difficult path we’ve taken in fashion, and it’s such an incredible validation for me. I want to continue making my people from home proud.”
The founder of the awards Pat Mahlangu expressed his enthusiasm about this year’s winners. “The 2024 Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards have showcased the excellence and innovation of young African brand owners. The winners are not only building brands, they are driving positive change across the continent and we are here to witness it.”
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