The sixteenth edition of the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards was held on the 27 July at the new Radisson Blu Hotel, Durban Umhlanga.
Award-winning broadcaster Iman Rappetti, the master of ceremonies, added her special flair and insights to the evening’s proceedings, ensuring a great event was had by all.
In her welcome address, Fiona Ebrahim, Head: Local Market Business Clients, eThekwini Business Centre, Standard Bank commented: “We are proud to once again be associated with the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards for 2022. These awards honour those businesses making a tangible difference to their communities – something which resonates deeply with us as a financial services
organisation.”
Key note speaker, Martin Roe, the Group CEO at CCI Global, emphasised amongst other key business strategies, the need to focus on people. He said that while government has many schemes to address skills shortages it is necessary for “businesses to make a substantial contribution in the industries in which they operate.” This goal is to ensure the upliftment of people so that they may acquire the necessary skills to work within these industries to deliver real outcomes. He concluded by saying, “despite the headwinds that we face, the future looks very bright.”
In his impromptu address Imtiaaz Sooliman emphasised the importance of all sectors of society – government, corporates and civil sector – working together to address corruption and the many challenges that face South African society. He said, “We need the support of corporate South Africa, for government to lift the barriers of bureaucracy and for civil society to come on board to save South Africa.”
Of note the categories on offer in 2022 reflect some of the challenges experienced over the past two and a half years. In addition, in line with King IV the awards aim to promote excellence, achievement and accountability in all entities. The winners in the various category awards are as follows:
1. Business Innovation: Mi7 National Group
2. Entrepreneur Resilience: Isaac Mbatha – Sky Tents
3. Digital/System Implementation: SmartXchange – AdNotes TV White Spaces Project
4. Employee Wellbeing: Cox Yeats Attorneys
5. Small Business Start-up: Infinity Growth Digital Marketing
6. Community and Social Responsibility: East Coast Radio
7. Family Business: Beekman Group
8. Special Recognition:
· Margaret, Allan, Richard and Luci Hirsch - Hirsch’s
· Saskia Hill – MCS Debt Recovery
· Ebrahim Patel – Magellan Management
· Imtiaz Sooliman – Gift of the Givers
9. Business Personality: Esayvanie (Esay) Reddy
10. KZN Top Brand: Icebolethu Group
Grant Adlam, CEO KZN Top Business said, “We congratulate all nominees, finalists and winners – you are all worthy of recognition. The awards are a great way to showcase the many achievements in KwaZulu-Natal. These people, businesses and organisations have risen above the ordinary and have very good stories of success to tell.”
The vote of thanks was delivered by Reggie Gambushe Head: Local Market Consumer Clients, eThekwini Catchment, Standard Bank. He said, “At Standard Bank we are in the business of inspiring hope and enabling dreams. We believe that dreams matter because they fuel our growth. This belief is encapsulated in our tagline ‘It Can Be’.”
For more info: www.kzntopbusiness.com