Kerushan Govender, founder and principal growth consultant at Blacfox Enterprises (Pty) Ltd, Mike Sharman, chief creative officer at Retroviral, and Zibusisozethu Mkwanazi, group CEO at M+N, have ‘marketed’ themselves right into the finals of the 36th annual Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year® awards. All three beat out over 600 entrants to secure a spot among the 16 finalists. Now, they stand on the verge of claiming one of the nation’s highest entrepreneurial accolades.
Govender is vying for the Emerging Entrepreneur title, a category that honours businesses operating for one to five years. In 2017, the experienced entrepreneur with a diverse investment portfolio spanning both South Africa and international markets, took a bold step and founded Blacfox—a tech marketing and consulting firm that harnesses data-driven insights to propel success for software vendors and their partners. Under his leadership, Blacfox has not only achieved financial growth but also evolved strategically, emerging as a prominent force in South Africa’s tech landscape, celebrated for its cutting-edge strategies and outstanding results.
In the Small Business Entrepreneur category, which honours individuals managing businesses with an annual turnover of up to R30 million, is Sharman. Fourteen years ago, Retroviral was launched with a vision: to become the leading “storyselling” (i.e. branded storytelling that converts to sales) communications agency in Africa. Since then, the multi-specialist agency has helped more brands “go viral” globally than any other on the continent by creating content that cuts through the noise and drives maximum earned media exposure. This approach has consistently translated into measurable sales conversions, benefiting clients such as Nando’s, Russell Hobbs, and Douwe Egberts. Looking ahead, Sharman aims to expand Retroviral’s offering, strengthen its industry-leading position, and deliver even greater value.
Mkwanazi has earned a place in the Medium Business Entrepreneur category, reserved for those steering businesses generating over R30 million in revenue. From selling sweets to classmates to fund his school transport, his entrepreneurial spirit was sparked at an early age. His passion for influencing conversations and creating lasting change in both business and society, paired with a deep belief in the power of creativity, led him to co-found M+N. Now, under Mkwanazi’s guidance, the company has become a powerhouse in the advertising world, comprising a group of thriving marketing and communication businesses that share a common mission: to “liberate Africans to tell their own stories”.
“Kerushan, Mike and Zibusisozethu exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit through their groundbreaking work in the marketing world. Their stories show us that creativity, coupled with business acumen, can lead to remarkable achievements. We’re excited to see how they’ll continue to elevate not only their own companies and those of their clients’ but also South Africa’s global standing in the marketing arena,” 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®.