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MEDIA RELEASE

08 April 2015

FINALISTS FOR 2015 SOUTH AFRICAN PREMIER BUSINESS AWARDS’ ANNOUNCED  

The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), together with Proudly South African and Brand South Africa, have released the names of the finalists in the 3rd annual South African Premier Business Awards (SAPBA). The Awards are sponsored by Absa and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS). The 2014/15 SAPBAs will be held in Johannesburg on the 9th of April 2015.

The finalists, selected by a panel of judges, are:

Manufacturers category:

Investor of the Year category:

Exporters category:

Women-Owned Businesses category:

Young Entrepreneur category:

Proudly South African Enterprise category:

Play Your Part category:

SMME category:

The Lifetime Achievement award is a discretionary award to recognise an individual who has contributed significantly to the economic development of South Africa during their lifetime.

Dr Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry, reserves the right to consider an individual with a consistent and outstanding track record of no less than 30 years’ active involvement in business.

According to Bongani Coka, the Chairman of the South African Premier Business Awards panel of esteemed judges, “the adjudication process was rigorous, based on crucial values and practices, including; job creation, good business ethics, good governance and a dedication to quality”. He continued to say “the specialist panel of judges represents business, government, organised labour and community constituencies. We volunteered to adjudicate the Awards because we understand the value of recognising those enterprises that strive to make economic difference in a country full of possibilities. The high level of entries received attests to the incredible skill and potential in South Africa.

“Witnessing the level of innovation, ethics and competition, on a global scale, has left us all in awe and excited about what the future holds,” says Coka.

A key element for stimulating a growing economy is buying locally manufactured products. “Products that are designed, manufactured and produced within our borders should be given preference over imported goods. We must focus on supporting those proudly South African organisations,” says Proudly SA’s Chief Executive Officer, Advocate Leslie Sedibe. “A large variety of South African products are available in and outside of our borders; if consumers focus on supporting these suppliers, sustainable employment opportunities can be created!” It is hoped that the SAPBAs will encourage the support of local businesses.

“Excellent commercial brands with strong reputations support a positive nation brand,” says Brand South Africa’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Alice Puoane. “We need to consider whether we are competitive in terms of being able to grow a nation that can compete equitably with global peers. “We need to ask ourselves if we are growing individual brands with solid reputations that are considered as leaders in their individual industries,” she says.  Puoane concludes by saying that the organisations that have entered the Awards are playing their part in furthering the country’s economic development and it is essential that their efforts are recognised.


South Africa holds an incredible amount of untapped potential. It is hoped that, through the celebration of the successes of established businesses, no matter their size, aspiring business owners and newly founded enterprises will be motivated to succeed. “Our country offers unlimited capacity for global competitiveness in various spheres,” concludes Minister Rob Davies, of the dti. “One of these areas of promise that must be developed is international trade and export. If we can focus on harnessing this potential, we can foster a sustainable economy in our country!”   

Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Gillian deGouveia – PR and Media Manager (Proudly South African)
Tel: 011 327 7778
Mobile: 082 410 1195
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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