From launching a household and restaurant staple in their dining room, to scaling a multi-million Rand space component manufacturing company, the 16 finalists in the 36th annual Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year® awards have beaten the odds – and over 600 other entrepreneurs – to compete for the coveted title.
After months of intense preparation and rigorous evaluation by a panel of esteemed judges, these 16 business leaders are now on the brink of securing one of South Africa’s most prestigious entrepreneurial awards.
David Morobe, Executive General Manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited, says that each of these tenacious business owners embody the spirit of South African entrepreneurship and have not only survived immense challenges including crime, dysfunctional infrastructure and regulatory burdens, but have thrived in their respective fields. “Their stories are not only inspiring to fellow entrepreneurs but also set the benchmark for business success.”
In a few short weeks, three will rise as winners in the Emerging Entrepreneur, Small Business Entrepreneur, and Medium Business Entrepreneur categories. One will earn the ultimate title: South Africa’s Entrepreneur of the Year®. Also up for grabs is the title of Job Creator of the Year which will be awarded to the entrepreneur helping to make a dent in the unemployment rate.
The 2024 finalists in each category are:
Emerging Entrepreneur – Awarded to an entrepreneur who has operated their current business for a minimum of one year and a maximum of five:
- Kerushan Govender – Blacfox Enterprises, a strategic growth consulting company
- Trudy Maleka – Ambesha Africa, a patio furniture manufacturer
- Feziwe Mpaku – IGBE Pty Ltd, a construction-related services supplier
- Dr Khangelani Wilmoth Sibiya – KWV Education, a tutoring services provider
- Nyangani Tshabalala – Institute for Applied Sciences and Commerce (IFASCO) Academy, education and training facilitator
Small Business Entrepreneur – Recognising individuals managing a business with an annual turnover of up to R30 million, irrespective of operating period:
- Dirk Coetzee – DCA Group, a tax services provider
- Thamaga Hamlet Chaane – Atlas Paints, a paint producer
- Michael Sharman – Retroviral, a digital communications agency
- Samantha Skyring – Oryx Desert Salt, a gourmet salt range
- Sheldon Tatchell – Legends Barber, a professional grooming services franchisor
Medium Business Entrepreneur – Presented to an entrepreneur leading a business with an annual turnover of over R30 million regardless of how long it has been active:
- Muhammad Afzal – Univission, manufacturer of PVC and plastic-related products
- James Barrington Brown – NewSpace Systems, a space component manufacturing company
- Nompumelelo Madubedube – The San Hair, supplier and manufacturer of human hair products
- Nqobile Valentia Veronica Mkhabela – Siyanqobangamandla Engineering Services (Pty) Ltd, service provider to the mining industry
- Zibusisozethu Mkhwanazi – M+N, a marketing, communications and advertising agency
- Hulisani Mudau – IPS, supplier of processing equipment to the dairy and beverage industries
Winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on Thursday, 7 November 2024 in Johannesburg. Over and above the prestigious titles, the champions will share a prize pool of R2 million, and gain access to mentorship and technical assistance, opportunities to expand their networks, and greater visibility for their businesses.
“We’re excited to see these exceptional finalists’ hard work contributing to the South African economy and shaping the future of business,” concludes Morobe. “We wish them all the best as they enter the final stretch of the Entrepreneur of the Year® awards process, knowing their innovation and resilience will continue to impact the business landscape — whether they take home the title or not.”