VANDERBIJLARPK – The prestigious awards ceremony was to honor men and women in Business in the Vaal region for their efforts in building the community.
Dressed in their posh suits and evening gowns, dozens gathered at the lavishing event to receive their awards.
Gracing the stage to accept their recognition awards in business, were different executives from companies based whether big or small.
The nomination categories included Warrior Trophy which was scooped by V-Tec Trailers, Impi Trophy garnered by Cinema Architects, Historical Trophy taken by B-Executive Motors among many others.
Some of the individual awards picked up by prominent and new comers in business included top Woman of the Year Trophy snatched by Tessa Pienaar, Legend of the Vaal handed to Sakkie Jacobs, Vaal’s Ambassador of Disability Trophy secured by Amanda Lombard and many others.
Speaking at the event after receiving her award for Junior Businesswoman of the year, Ill-Rika Boyeens said sis never seen herself a business woman even though she owns a small company.
“As artists, we don’t see ourselves as business people. Especially when people ask you what do you do for work and you tell them you have a dance studio, the first thing they ask is can you do the splits,” she said as she giggled.
“It made me wonder when I was nominated for this award, why would I be worthy of such a prestigious award and it made me realise that sometimes we do sell yourself short. And it doesn’t me that a small business or a small company doesn’t generate millions of profit,” she said.
Boyeens said she is indeed a businesswoman.
“I am a business woman because I am in the business of educating and uplifting the youth of our community,” she said.
Another young business individual, Ruan Vermaak who scored the Junior Businessman of the year thanked his support system which included his family, colleagues and his mentor during his speech.
“I feel like I don’t deserve the award but I am very grateful. I would like to thank my support structure which includes my family, my mother who always prays for me, my colleagues who always answer phone calls when I am in trouble,” he said.
