The 10th Metropolitan Oliver Empowerment Awards (the 'Olivers'), the mark of BEE distinction for transformation leaders, were bestowed by guest of honour and keynote speaker Mr Thembelani Nxesi (Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform) at the Sandton Convention Centre before an elite audience of political and business leaders and media personalities.
Big winner on a big night for empowerment was Netcare Limited, which took the overall title as Top Empowerment Business of the Year after first scooping the Top Empowered Big Business Award and taking category honours for businesses in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector.
Netcare CEO Dr Richard Friedland pointed out: "For Netcare, black economic empowerment is far, far more than a business imperative. For us it is about playing our part in normalising our society and restoring dignity and respect to everyone in our nation. We are a strong believer in service leadership, serving not just patients but the broader community. We are humbled by this award but recognise that we still have so much to do. I want to salute everyone involved in this effort. Tapping the creativity and energy of every South African is critical to the success of our nation."
The Olivers are hosted every year by Impumelelo, a pioneering publication dedicated to black business success, and organised by Topco Media in partnership with headline sponsor Metropolitan, the leading life assurer and investment solutions provider.
The 10th anniversary event celebrated business success in style, bringing glamour and sophistication to a segment of the economy normally associated with hard work and unstinting effort.
The occasion also provided an ideal showcase for a lifetime achievement award to Vusi Khanyile, founder MD and chairman of Thebe Investments, South Africa's first black empowerment company which was received by Thulani Khanyile, CEO of Afro Energy and son of Vusi Khanyile.
Among those applauding the award was special guest Futhi Mtoba (president of Business Unity South Africa and chairman of the Public Investment Corporation).
The audience then celebrated the latest wave of empowerment heroes, including Ronald Abvajee (of My Personal Trainer Wellness), who took the coveted individual award for Top Black Male Entrepreneur, and the Top Black Female Entrepreneur title was claimed by Pria Hassan (of WOA Fuels & Oils).
On another outstanding success for the Olivers, Zelphinia Mvula, BEE Manager at Metropolitan, commented: "The partnership between Topco Media and Metropolitan has contributed to consistently higher standards within this groundbreaking awards programme. Passion for transformation drives Metropolitan and that same passion characterises these awards and the strength of commitment shown by the winners."
Topco chairman Richard Fletcher congratulated all finalists and noted: "This awards night celebrates your successes over the past year, but the real impact will be felt in future as a new wave of BEE champions draws inspiration from your example."
Top Black Female Entrepreneur Pria Hassan emphasised the wider significance of the awards: "By putting the spotlight on Black entrepreneurs in such spectacular style, the Olivers celebrate empowerment and personal achievement in a way that uplifts and energises everyone at the event and everyone who dreams of making a breakthrough into the world of business.
Topco chairman Richard Fletcher congratulated all finalists and noted: "This awards night celebrates your successes over the past year, but the real impact will be felt in future as a new wave of BEE champions draws inspiration from your example."
Top Black Female Entrepreneur Pria Hassan emphasised the wider significance of the awards: "By putting the spotlight on Black entrepreneurs in such spectacular style, the Olivers celebrate empowerment and personal achievement in a way that uplifts and energises everyone at the event and everyone who dreams of making a breakthrough into the world of business.
"Every step forward by today's entrepreneurs takes huge personal commitment. This award says 'It can be done; don't give up.' That is the message I wish to share with all the entrepreneurs who start from a zero base yet still rise up."
South Africa's future prosperity was dependent on the creation of a cadre of inventive, energetic black entrepreneurs, said Top Black Male Entrepreneur Ronald Abvajee.
He added: "Entrepreneurs not only create wealth, they create jobs and drive economic growth. This is especially true of start-ups and small business. Build an enterprise culture and you build a nation. These awards contribute to this vision and the organisers should be congratulated for creating such a dazzling showcase in which tomorrow's entrepreneurs can shine."
The event's glitzy and ritzy positioning was supported by world-class entertainment from multi-talented master musician Jimi Gomez and the stylish 'fab four' from Barcode. They wowed an audience of South Africa's good and great. MC Xolani Gwala, usually associated with drive-time on SAfm, ensured a fine time for all.
Top Black Businessman: Kamugelo Mmutlana (of Fleet Africa);
Top Black Businesswoman: Ashantha Armogam (of Grid Worldwide Branding & Design);
Top Black Public Sector Executive: Mike Kgobe (of Denel Aviation);
Top Empowered Corporate Award: Maponya Incorporated;
Top Empowered SMME: Zanusi Brand Solutions.
Top Empowered Government Agency: the South African National Roads Agency;
Top Empowered Parastatal: the South African Post Office.
Category winners:
Resources: Total SA;
Basic and general industrials: Eqstra Holdings;
Food and beverages: Tongaat Hulett;
Healthcare and pharmaceuticals: Netcare;
Retail: Voltex;
Travel, leisure and entertainment: Southern Sun Hotels;
Media: Grid Worldwide Branding & Design;
Support services: KPMG;
Transport: Fleet Africa;
Financial services: Absa Group;
ICT: Bytes Technology Group SA;
Education: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
KZN Oils (Pty) Ltd
WOA Fuels & Oils
Total South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Gibb (Pty) Ltd
Aurecon South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Mercedes-Benz South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Mott MacDonald South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Steinmuller Africa (Pty) Ltd
Dormac (Pty) Ltd
Eqstra Holdings Ltd
Tsebo Outsourcing Group (Pty) Ltd
Oceana Group Ltd
RoyalServe Catering (Pty) Ltd
Tongaat Hulett Ltd
Bonitas Medical Fund
Netcare Limited
Pinnacle Health Solutions (Pty) Ltd
Voltex (Pty) Ltd
Woolworths Holdings Ltd
Spar Group Limited
Cashbuild Limited
City Lodge Hotels Ltd
Club Travel SA (Pty) Ltd
Coastlands Durban (Pty) Ltd
Southern Sun Hotels (Pty) Ltd
Travel with Flair (Pty) Ltd
Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group (Pty) Ltd
Tempest Car Hire (Pty) Ltd
VWV Group (Pty) Ltd
DraftFCB South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Grid Worldwide Branding & Design (Pty) Ltd
Support Services
Adams & Adams
ECI Africa Consulting
Kelly Group Ltd
KPMG
Maponya Inc
Daimler Fleet Management South Africa (Pty) Ltd t/a Debis Fleet Management
Fleet Africa (Pty) Ltd
Siyaduma Auto Ferriers (Pty) Ltd
Super Group Ltd
21st Century Pay Solutions Group (Pty) Ltd
ABSA Group Ltd
Sekunjalo Investments Ltd
Accenture South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Bytes Technology Group South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Dimension Data (Pty) Ltd
EOH (Pty) Ltd
Westcon SA (Pty) Ltd
CHM Vuwani Computer Solutions (Pty) Ltd
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
Knowledge Quest
Altimax Training Academy
University of Pretoria
Transglobal Cargo (Pty) Ltd
Web Stationers
KPG Media Technologies cc
Ocular Technologies (Pty) Ltd
Ithuba Industries
Zanusi Brand Solutions
My Personal Trainer (Pty) Ltd
Plus 94 Research (Pty) Ltd
Centre for Public Service Innovation
Media Development and Diversity Agency
South African National Roads Agency Limited
Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority
Medical Research Council
South African Post Office
Denel (Pty) Ltd
South African Weather Service
Foskor
Nathan Reddy - Grid Worldwide Branding & Design (Pty) Ltd
Rajen Reddy - KZN Oils (Pty) Ltd
Pommie Lutchman - Ocular Technologies (Pty) Ltd
Saantha Naidu - Saantha Naidu Group
Ronald Abvajee - My Personal Trainer (Pty) Ltd
Olu Soluade - AOS Consulting Engineers cc
Nokuthula Luthuli - Bloom Marketing
Zolelwa Molapisi - By Design Marketing Group
Dumisa Melane - eNetworks
Pria Hassan - WOA Fuels & Oils
Johanna Mukoki - Travel with Flair
Dr. Linda Makuleni - South African Weather Service
James Ndluvo - Trans Caledon Tunnel Authority
Mike Kgobe - Denel Aviation
William Mzimba - Accenture
Kamogelo Mmutlana - Fleet Africa (Pty) Ltd
Tseliso Pitikoe - RoyalServe Cleaning
Baitseng Rangata - Maponya Inc
Ashantha Armogam- Grid Worldwide Branding & Desing (Pty) Ltd
Daphne Motsepe - ABSA Group Ltd
