Anton Rossouw, founder and owner of Life Path Health – a network of private hospitals providing mental health inpatient and addiction treatment – was awarded the Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year® title in the annual 2013 Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® Competition, which was held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 4 September 2013.

After a long journey within the medical industry which equipped him with a wealth of medical institutional experience, Rossouw established Life Path Health in 2001. The network of treatment facilities offer mental health inpatient treatment, including specialised services in mental health-related illnesses, addiction rehabilitation, Post Traumatic Stress and Anxiety Disorders.

Apart from playing an active commercial role in the healthcare industry, Rossouw also actively participates in the development of awareness surrounding mental health. The business prides itself on regular engagement with industry bodies to negotiate medical aid funding available for the treatment of mental illnesses. “The destigmitisation of mental illness in South Africa is a focal point for our company and our efforts have been a key driver to address the issue,” says Rossouw.

According to Dr Kerrin Myres, a member of the Sanlam / Business Partners Entrepreneur of the Year® judging panel, Rossouw is a role model for aspiring South African entrepreneurs. “In a competitive industry, he has managed to identify an opportunity to establish a sustainable business which employs over 200 people while taking on some sizeable competitors.”

Rossouw says that entering the competition has provided Life Path Health with an effective platform to raise awareness of mental illness and the destigmitisation thereof. “For that we are extremely grateful.”

Successfully establishing six clinics throughout the Western Cape, with a seventh clinic opening in October 2013, Rossouw plans to expand nationally in the next five years. “Being granted the opportunity to have my business assessed by the successful and experienced panel of competition judges, as well as winning this division of the competition, has given my team and I the confidence in our business for both current and future ventures,” concludes Rossouw.

For more information on Life Path Health, please visit www.lifepathgroup.co.za