KwaZulu-Natal is home to a large number of brands that have been home-grown and driven from within the province. Many of these companies have long histories and they continue to expand their footprints today.
Each year, the Standard Bank KZN Top Brand award is much coveted and honours many of the most loved brands in the province. The Top Brand accolade is awarded solely by public vote and is contested over several weeks. The interest in this category is especially reflected in the huge range of brands that are selected and in the thousands of votes cast. The voting also reflects the efforts these businesses put into their branding and marketing.
All the brands have won the support of their employees, clients, family and friends and the votes received are a testament to these accomplishments.
The 2023 top 20 brands are:
1. Mi7 National Group
2. KZN Oils
3. Icebolethu Group
4. Beekman Group
5. East Coast Radio
6. Blue Security
7. Hollywoodbets
8. Gift of the Givers
9. Hirsch’s
10. STE Scaffolding
11. Hemera Group
12. DRG
13. The Sharks
14. Graduate Institute of
Financial Sciences (GIFS)
15. LHL Engineering
16. TAFTA
17. Natal Razor and Wire
18. Sky Tents
19. Imperial Armour
20. Bell Equipment
ABOUT THE TOP BRAND
With decades in the business, Mi7 National Group is a class leader in South Africa’s security cluster. The company, under the leadership of CEO Shadrach Rylan Karien, successfully integrates technology, people and knowledge to offer a full range of protective services to clients all over the country.
Currently, the company is run across five branches nationwide: in Pietermaritzburg (head office); Secunda; Newcastle; Pretoria and Cape Town.
Mi7 National Group prides itself on a public service model based on community duty. When the company initiated its armed response service in March 2021, it had to set itself apart in an already saturated market.
The overall idea behind their security strategy is to create built environments, policies and operational procedures that enhance human safety and security, while preventing future crimes. They provide a robust selection of advanced security services, backed by the knowledge and expertise of their dedicated officers and innovative technology, including Realtime data and analytics, to meet security needs.
This role is performed through the range of services on offer, including: site guarding and patrol, security consultancy and training, investigations, alarm monitoring, security installations, armed response, K9 services, surveillance, emergency medical and ambulance services, VIP protection, event security, priority escorts, crowd control and strike management, as well as bodyguarding.
The Mi7 National Group are brand, image and values conscious, and their personnel are seamlessly integrated into the daily routine of the organisation they are serving and protecting.
Making our world safe also means investing in opportunities to meet sustainability goals, diversity and inclusion goals, corporate responsibility, and other social infrastructure advances.
Their mission is to exceed customer expectations through customised security solutions, built on a culture of service excellence, diligence, honesty and integrity.