The Southern African winners will go on to compete against their peers from around the continent in the All Africa Grand Finale to be held on 11 November 2016 in Sandton, Johannesburg.
“This is for every young African girl who has a dream,” said Young Business Leader of the Year - Southern Africa winner Linda Olagunju, founder of DLO Energy Resources.
The title of Business Woman of the Year - Southern Africa went to Lindani Dhlamini, CEO of one of South Africa’s majority black-owned professional services firms, SekelaXabiso.
Joint winners of the category Innovator of the Year - Southern Africa went to Ryan Harrison and Stacey Brewer, co-founders of SPARK Schools.
Mathys Wehmeyer, director of Hazleton Pumps, won the award for Industrialist of the Year - Southern Africa.
Company of the Year - Southern Africa went to Discovery.
Entrepreneur of the Year - Southern Africa went to Stephen Saad, Group CEO of Aspen Pharmacare.
The Lifetime Achievement Award - Southern Africa went to Founder of Bid Corporation, Brian Joffe. During his acceptance speech, Joffe highlighted the important role education played in South Africa. “Education is the cornerstone of our future and if we get that wrong we can say all the nice words we like, we are not going to get there. To everyone that is involved in education, we better get that right – we’ve spent twenty years and we haven’t got it right yet.” He concluded by saying: “Smart people make money. Smart people make happiness. Smart people have great lives. And we want to be smart people."
The AABLA recognise Africa’s bold leaders of business in East, West and Southern Africa and once again are partnered by Bakgatla Ba Kgafela to bring Africa's leading business award to the continent. The AABLA will move on to Lagos on 20 October 2016 to recognise the best in business in West Africa. For more information, go to www.aablawards.com.
