Adv. Michelle Phillips, Group Chief Executive of Transnet SOC Ltd, has been honoured as the KZN Top Business Woman of the Year 2026, recognising her outstanding leadership and contribution to one of South Africa’s most strategically important organisations

Shiv Ramsander, better known as Shiv Shuffler, has been recognised with the inaugural Women of Africa (WOA) Youth Recognition Award at the 2026 KZN Top Business Awards, celebrating his remarkable contribution to South Africa’s entertainment industry and his innovative approach to music and live performance. Accepting the award, an emotional Shiv expressed his gratitude for the recognition and the people who have supported his journey.

Small and medium enterprises are the heartbeat of our economy. This award recognises outstanding Standard Bank clients with an annual turnover of less than R100 million. This award recognises outstanding Standard Bank clients with an annual turnover of less than R100 million.

Since its establishment in 1998, KZN Top Business has evolved into one of KwaZuluNatal’s leading content marketing and business media companies. For more than 28 years, the organisation has worked alongside businesses of every size, helping them strengthen their brands through credible storytelling, strategic content marketing and meaningful engagement.

What makes the KZN Top Brand Award unique is that the winner is determined entirely by public vote. Over several weeks, thousands of supporters cast their votes online, making this a true reflection of the brands that resonate most strongly with the public.

Honours family-owned and managed enterprises.

The highly anticipated KZN Top Business Awards 2026, proudly brought to you by Standard Bank and Women of Africa Group, and in association with East Coast Radio, took place on Thursday, 16 July at the Durban International Convention Centre. The gala dinner saw

WINNER GAGASI FM and the HOLLYWOOD FOUNDATION’s relationship began as a shared commitment to improve the lives of learners and has evolved into a strategic, long-term partnership that continues to transform schools, restore dignity, empower communities, and create opportunities for vulnerable children across KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

WINNER CAPITOL CATERERS cornerstone is the Capitol Workers Trust, which reflects the belief that their employees are integral to their success and should share in the value they help create. This commitment continues to drive sustainable growth and positive outcomes for all their stakeholders.

Recognises organisations whose excellence, reliability and innovation ensure that goods, services and people reach their destinations efficiently.

WINNER BRAHMAN HILLS GARDENS, SPA, HOTEL & VILLAS ensures that sustainability is not a campaign. It is a working model for the future of tourism in KwaZulu-Natal, designed to shift lives today while protecting the land and its possibilities for our children’s children, 100 years from now.

WINNER USE-IT WASTE BENEFICIATION (RF) NPC is a non-profit company rooted in a simple but powerful principle: waste should be seen as a resource. Waste beneficiation is a practical platform for community upliftment, job creation, income generation, environmental restoration and township-based enterprise development.

WINNER EMSENI FARMING’S 540-hectare operation is nestled in the midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, near the town of Kranskop. The well-established, diverse and sustainable farming company specialises in the production, packing and supply of various fresh produce and dairy products both locally and internationally.

Honours manufacturers whose commitment to excellence strengthens industries and creates employment while creating products.

WINNER AJ PROPERTY HOLDINGS is a property development and investment company. Within KZN, AJ Property Holdings is actively involved in the development of community focused retail centres and mixed-use developments that improve access to retail services, create employment opportunities and stimulate local economic activity.

Standard Bank clients with an annual turnover exceeding R100 million.

KZN Top Business Awards YouTube Premiere 2026 -

The battle lines for the KZN Top Business Brand Race have been drawn, and because this is heading straight into the newspapers and across every major media channel, we are opening the vault completely

Finalists Announced for the KZN Top Business Awards 2026

THE KZN BRAND RACE ENTERS ITS LAST 48 HOURS!

KZN Top Business Awards 2026: Official Category Shortlist Revealed

The race to crown KwaZulu-Natal's favourite brand is officially underway as voting opens for the highly anticipated KZN Top Brand 2026 Award. Unlike the category awards, which are judged by an independent panel, the KZN Top Brand Award is decided entirely by public vote, giving customers, employees, suppliers and communities the opportunity to support the brands that have made a meaningful impact on their lives.

KZN Top Business Battle of the Brands is well underway!

2026 KZN Top Business Awards, brought to you by Standard Bank and the Women of Africa Group, and in association with East Coast Radio.