The African Access National Business Awards announces finalists for 2010

"Selecting this year's finalists was no easy feat! We saw a large increase in entries and after several weeks of thorough research we are proud to announce the African Access National Business Awards finalists for 2010. Each of the finalists, within their respective categories, is commended on their entry and for their outstanding business achievements. This year's judges had a challenging task of selecting the winners on 12 May," said Ralf Fletcher, MD of Topco Media. The judging took place on Wednesday 12 May at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Finalists in the Top Performing Company Categories:

Investing in People Award - Sponsored by IDT

• DAV Professional Placement Group
• Business Systems Group (Africa) (Pty) Ltd
• Nedbank Group Limited
• Kelly Group Ltd
  
• HRG Rennies Travel (Pty) Ltd

This was is in recognition of the company that has demonstrated the highest level of per capita expenditure on training, education, wellness and health. Areas such as productivity; the ratio of skills procurement vs. turnover; staff turnover; company policies and procedures will be taken into account.

Alt-X Performance Award

• 1Time Holdings
• Myriad Medical
• Isa Holdings
• Taste Holdings
  
• William Tell Holdings

A quantitatively-judged award for companies on the JSE's Alt-X Board. Financial performance such as sales growth over a previous accounting period in both Rands and percentage, growth in share price, and return on investment (earnings per share) are all key areas of interest.

Logistics Award - Sponsored by Kintetsu World Express

• Super Group Limited
• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics (Pty) Ltd
• Imperial Logistics, a division of Imperial Group
• Big Foot Express Freight (Pty) Ltd
  
• Foschini Group (Pty) Ltd

Recognising excellence in specialist logistic support for industry, from supply chain to distribution, construction logistics, shipping, etc. Entrants must demonstrate excellent delivery; minimal stock loss; as well as crisis management procedures, etc.

Innovation through Technology Award

• DuPont de Nemours International SA
• Elvey Security Technologies
• Iskhus Power
• ESET Southern Africa
  
• Business Systems Group (Africa) (Pty) Ltd

This award goes to the company whose technology-based innovation demonstrates improved productivity or enhances the competitiveness of the South African economy.

Customer Focus Award

• Kelly Group Ltd
• HRG Rennies Travel (Pty) Ltd
• Elvey Security Technologies
• EmpowerLogic (Pty) Ltd
  
• WestconSA

This award will be made to the company that demonstrates the highest level of service and loyalty to its customers. They must demonstrate that comprehensive customer service procedures and policies have been put in place and show how this has resulted in increased loyalty and a larger
customer base.

Marketing Excellence Award

• Outsurance Insurance Co Ltd
• Cadburys (Pty) Ltd
• espAfrika (Pty) Ltd
• EMI South Africa (Pty) Ltd
  
• Cell C (Pty) Ltd

In recognition of marketing innovation and creativity. The award will acknowledge a marketing strategy that has impacted significantly on both the company turnover and the brand's public profile.

Fast Growth Company Award

• Key Stationers cc
• Isilumko Staffing (Pty) Ltd
• Lathi Tha' Eyecare
• ESET Southern Africa
  
• SureSwipe a division of tradebridge

This category is open to SMMEs with a turnover of under R50 million in their last financial year. The winner will have demonstrated significant growth in their market sector through best business practices and innovation, under-pinned by a strong financial performance.

ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) Award

• SA Post Office
• Pick N Pay
• Kumba Iron Ore Limited
• WSP Group Africa (Pty) Ltd
• Woolworths Holdings Limited
  
• Cape Town International Convention Centre

This Award will go to the company that has shown a strong adhesion to Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance policies. Evidence of achievements of set targets in these areas must be demonstrated. The winning entrant will also be actively involved in promoting ESG policies
and, by doing so, setting an example for other corporations in South Africa to follow.

Healthcare Excellence Award

• Qualsa Healthcare (Pty) Ltd
• Lathi Tha' Eyecare
• Agility Global Health Solutions
• Pfizer Laboratories (Pty) Ltd
  
• tradebridge (Pty) Ltd

In recognition of the healthcare organisation that has demonstrated an overall standard of excellence and innovation in the course of providing health services to the public, showing best practice throughout. Pharmaceutical companies that have shown a similarly outstanding
performance (for example, through the development of innovative products) are also eligible to enter.

Manufacturing Excellence Award

• Southern African Shipyards (Pty) Ltd
• Halewood International
• Actom (Pty) Ltd
  
• Cape Precious Metals (Pty) Ltd

The recipient must produce a high quality product in a competitive manner whilst complying with all relevant SABS accreditations. They must also display an increase in revenue.

Business Education & Training Award

• Media Works
• CIDA City Campus
• UCT Graduate School of Business
  
• Boland College

This award will be made to either a business school or a business training organisation. The award winner must be able to show how they are contributing positively to the corporate world by developing skilled professionals. The number and standard of graduates produced, reputation of
the school and overall contribution to skills development will all be taken into consideration.

Diversity in the Workplace Award

• Kelly Group Ltd
• Nedbank Group Limited
• SA Post Office
  
• Eqstra Fleet Management

This company must be able to demonstrate their commitment to diversity and transformation in the workplace. Companies must show they are integrating black, female and disabled employees into their workforce, and promoting diversity. They should be able to show preferential recruitment policies, skills development programmes and the progress they've made in transforming their
workplace.

Individual Categories:

Top Businessman of the Year Award - Sponsored by African Access

• Iqbal Survé - Sekunjalo Investments Limited
• Mike Veysie - Halewood International
• Chris Griffith - Kumba Iron Ore Limited
• Iqbal Bam - Simmons SA (Pty) Ltd
  
• Mark Wilson - Actom (Pty) Ltd

This award goes to the businessman whose leadership is reflected in his service to his company and also to interests not exclusively his own. His company must have achieved great success in the business environment.

Top Businesswoman of the Year Award - Sponsored by African Access

• Carey van Vlaanderen - ESET Southern Africa
• Jackie Carrol - Media Works
• Teryl Schroenn - Accsys (Pty) Ltd
  
• Anina Morley - I-Net Bridge (Pty) Ltd

This award goes to the businesswoman whose leadership is reflected in her service to her company and also to interests not exclusively her own. Her company must have achieved great success in the business environment.

Top Entrepreneur of the Year Award - Sponsored by Airports Company South Africa

• Rashid Lombard - espAfrika (Pty) Ltd
• Sharon Eades - Cape Precious Metals (Pty) Ltd
• Vivian Reddy - Edison Power Group
• Gerrie van Zyl - tradebridge (Pty) Ltd
• Asgar Mahomed - Esquire Sytem Technology (Pty) Ltd
  
• Sisa Ngebulana - Billion Group (Pty) Ltd

This award goes to the person who took significant personal risk to start a business or businesses and built them into a substantial entity. The recipient must demonstrate that the business has achieved financial success and is clearly sustainable.

Top Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award - Sponsored by Mail & Guardian

• Brett Levy & Mark Levy - Blue Label Telecoms Limited
• Zoe Molapisi - By Design Group (Pty) Ltd
• Mfundo Thango - Mpilende Foods (Pty) Ltd
  
• Marco Broccardo - Eurocom (Pty) Ltd

This category is only open to individuals under 40. This award goes to the person who took significant personal risk to start a business or businesses and built them into a substantial entity. The recipient must demonstrate that the business has achieved financial success and is clearly sustainable.

Government Categories:

Top Government Agency of the Year Award: Growing Business

• Johannesburg Roads Agency
• AIDC
• Municipal Demarcation Board
  
• Pan South African Language Board

The award will be made to the government agency that has demonstrated the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness in terms of achieving their goals, working within allocated budgets and generally making the greatest impact in their portfolio. Judges will be looking for agencies that have carried out successful public-private initiatives.

Top Municipality of the Year Award: Service Delivery

• Laingsburg Local Municipality
• Overstrand Municipality
• West Coast District Municipality
  
• Theewaterskloof Municipality

The award will go to the Municipality that has delivered its mandate in the most effective and efficient manner possible, ensuring that essential services are provided to its constituents, whilst employing its allocated budget for the financial year in an effective and disciplined manner.

For further information about the awards please contact www.africanaccessnba.co.za.