Standard Bank Clients of the Year - KZN Top Business Awards 2025
- Chelsea Brand
- Jul 18, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 21
SME Category
For businesses earning less than R100 million turn over per annum, and that bank with Standard Bank.
WINNER
ARENA TRIMS is a leading supplier of footwear components for the safety, industrial and fashion footwear industries. Established by Kevin Naidoo in 2003, the business provides cut make and trim assistance to the BBF Safety Group. Arena Trims divisions include Arena Footwear and Arena Protective.
FINALISTS
Construction for Africa, founded by Virosh Singh, is a fully compliant, black-empowered construction firm. The firm provides a wide range of services including repair and renovation, new developments, and upgrading of buildings in the construction and property development sector.
Enlightment Foods is a proudly family-run food manufacturing company producing a range of vegetarian and vegan products. Started by Minesh and Varsha Rajput, and now involving their son Krishna, the business supplies restaurants, independent retailers, and a few Spar stores.
Larger Enterprise
For businesses earning more than R100 million turn over per annum, and that bank with Standard Bank.
WINNER
THE KWAZULU-NATAL JOINT MUNICIPAL PENSION/PROVIDENT FUNDS (NJMPF) is a top-tier retirement fund providing pension and benefit services to over 32,000 members, pensioners, and beneficiaries across KwaZulu-Natal’s municipal sector. With assets exceeding R40 billion under management, NJMPF offers sustainable retirement solutions, including defined benefit and defined contribution structures.
What sets NJMPF apart is its ability to merge financial excellence with human-centred service, ensuring every member, regardless of income, location, or literacy, receives meaningful support.
The Fund’s lowcost annuity option is rare in the public retirement sector and empowers members with greater choice and cost efficiency postretirement. Additionally, NJMPF’s clean audit record, maintained while undergoing systemic reforms, outperforms the majority of its peers in the local government pension space. Compared to its past performance, NJMPF has increased engagement levels, expanded its digital capabilities, and improved turnaround times for claims. The Fund continues to elevate trust and satisfaction among members, even amid legislative uncertainty, proving itself as a leader in public sector financial services.
FINALISTS
Searchworks 360 is driven by innovation, excellence, and a commitment to empowering individuals and organisations through property and business data solutions. SearchWorks and VOCA streamlined access to critical information, simplifying the way professionals conduct due diligence, compliance checks, and market analysis.
Founded in 2005, Avemel Logistics operates throughout South Africa, with cross-border transport into Zimbabwe and Botswana. Owned by Aven Naidu, the company focuses on professionalism, efficiency, and innovative service, offering end-to-end logistical solutions tailored to the unique needs of its clients.
