Samantha Skyring, founding CEO of Oryx Desert Salt, and Hulisani Mudau, Director at Innovative Processing Solutions Pty Ltd (IPS), have served up entrepreneurial excellence, earning their spot as two of the tastiest talents in the food and beverage sector. From over 600 entrants on the menu, they’ve been selected as finalists in the 36th annual Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year® awards.
Skyring is in the running for the Small Business Entrepreneur award, which acknowledges those steering businesses with annual turnovers of up to R30 million. After escaping an abusive relationship and seeking a way to support herself and her young son, Skyring sold her house and bought 34 tonnes of salt sourced from the Kalahari Desert, starting her business from her dining room table. Thirteen years later, Oryx Desert Salt is a widely recognised brand, found on restaurant tables and in homes across South Africa, with an ever-growing international presence. Oryx Desert Salt sachets can also be found aboard several local airlines, with ambitions to expand to more carriers and duty-free stores globally. From humble beginnings as a one-woman enterprise, the company now boasts a dedicated team of 35 employees.
Mudau is competing in the Medium Business Entrepreneur category, designated for entrepreneurs managing businesses with annual revenues exceeding R30 million.
“Skyring and Mudau have all the right ingredients to thrive in a highly competitive sector. Their stories reflect the essence of this competition—celebrating those who turn challenges into opportunities,” says David Morobe, Executive General Manager for Impact Investing at Business Partners Limited.
On Thursday, 7 November 2024, the winners in each category—including the coveted Job Creator of the Year—will be unveiled at an awards ceremony in Gauteng. One standout business owner will also claim the title of South Africa’s overall Entrepreneur of the Year®.