Oliver Top Empowerment Awards 2024 - Winners announced!

This year’s awards ceremony was especially meaningful as it coincided with South Africa's 30th anniversary of democracy, emphasising collective growth, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to building an inclusive and equitable society. The event highlighted the achievements of organisations and individuals who have prioritised broad-based black economic empowerment, making substantial impacts on their communities and industries.

Lee-Ann Bruce, Associate Publisher at Topco Media, reflected on the significance of the event, stating, “As we reflect on the achievements of our committees and winners, let us all remember the importance of perseverance, collaboration, and the courage to challenge the status quo. Every story shared is a testament to the meaningful, limitless potential within each of us to effect meaningful change and to build a more inclusive society.”

"Humanity cannot survive without kindness, the same way that a candle cannot burn without fire." - Professor Bonang Mohale

Prof Bonang Mohale, Chancellor of the University of the Free State, delivered a powerful keynote speech that critiqued the persistent poverty in Africa and urged for more inclusive spaces for everyone to reach their potential. “Isn't it amazing that 30 years into democracy, poverty still has primarily a black and feminine face?” he asked, encouraging a renewed focus on leadership that creates more leaders, not followers. He also underscored the necessity of kindness and ethical leadership.

The event was eloquently hosted by award-winning South African radio presenter and television broadcaster, Leanne Manas. She opened the ceremony by acknowledging the transformative changes in business practices and celebrating the change agents committed to addressing past imbalances and shaping a brighter future. Manas also praised the distinguished panel of judges and the trailblasers who were recognised for their contributions.

“The job is not done. We have to acknowledge the organisations of the people who are stepping up.” - Khensani Nobanda, group executive: group marketing and corporate affairs, Nedbank

Dr Mathews Phosa & Khensani Nobanda

Prof. Bonang Mohale

Head judges Khensani Nobanda, the group executive: group marketing and corporate affairs at Nedbank, and Dr. Mathews Phosa, a celebrated South African Leader, a prominent businessman and Attorney, provided insightful commentary on the awards process. Khensani emphasised the importance of storytelling in business and the real impact beyond the B-BBEE scorecard.

Dr Mathews Phosa highlighted the transformative power of technology and the collective aspiration for national stability and good governance, declaring, “We buy into stability. We buy into economic success, into job creation... We buy into a country where integrity and honesty and good governance rules.”

“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our key sponsors, particularly Nedbank and Merchants, for their unwavering support and dedication. Together, we are not just celebrating achievements but also inspiring a future where empowerment and inclusivity are at the forefront of our nation's progress,” adds Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media.

2024 Oliver Top Empowerment Awards winners:

Top Empowered Company: Fast Growth Black-owned Smme Of The Year Winner: Sekunjalo Engineering Solutions

Winner: Sekunjalo Engineering Solutions
Runner up: NTGR Engineering Projects CC
Finalists:

• Qualitative Innovative Solutions (Pty) Ltd
  
• Geeks4Learning (Pty) Ltd
  
• ST Africa Trading Enterprises CC
  
• Y-Brand
  
• MSCT BEE Services (Pty) Ltd
  
• Golden Rewards 1981 CC
  
• Kopano Bus Service
  
• Masithithuke Holdings
  
• Zimasa Group of Companies
  
• Technique Drilling Services (Pty) Ltd

Top Empowered Company: Sustainable Business Of The Year - Sponsored By Merchants - Sponsored by Merchants

Winner: Sanlam Limited
Runner up: Sun International Ltd
Finalists:

• AECI Ltd
  
• SLG (Pty) Ltd
  
• Servicios Empresaviales Holdings
  
• Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (Pty) Ltd

Top Empowered Company: Diversity, Equity And Inclusion In The Workplace Of The Year

Winner: African Bank Holdings Limited
Runner up: LexisNexis (PTY) Ltd
Finalists:

• JSE Limited
  
• Shared Value Africa
  
• Mondi South Africa (Pty) Ltd
  
• Sibanye-Stillwater

Top Empowered Company: Digital Transformation Of The Year Award

Winner: LexisNexis (PTY) Ltd
Finalists:

• Boxfusion
  
• Liquid Intelligent Technologies
  
• Turner & Townsend (Pty) Ltd
  
• Vodacom Group Ltd

Top Empowered Company: Localisation Of The Year Award

Winner: The South African Breweries (Pty) Ltd
Runner up: Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Finalists:

• Nestlé (Pty) Ltd
  
• Boxfusion
  
• Sanofi

Top Empowered Public Sector Of The Year Award

Winner: State Diamond Trader
Finalists:

• Community Schemes Ombud Services
  
• Mega Ltd

Top Empowered Company: Education And Skills Development Of The Year Award

Winner: Reverside Software Solutions (Pty) Ltd
Runner up: In2food Group (Pty) Ltd
Finalists:

• University of South Africa (UNISA)
  
• Palabora Mining Company
  
• In2IT Technologies (Pty) Ltd
  
• Liquid Telecommunications South Africa (Pty) Ltd
  
• Old Mutual Ltd

Top Empowered Company: Enterprise And Supplier Development Award - Sponsored by Nedbank

Winner: Mondi South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Runner up: Sanlam Ltd
Finalists:

• The South African Breweries (Pty) Ltd
  
• Vea Road Maintenance & Civils (Pty) Ltd
  
• Sun International Ltd
  
• Sasol

Top Empowered Company: Socio-economic Development Of The Year Award

Winner: Sasol
Finalists:

• AECI Ltd
  
• African Bank Ltd
  
• Oceana Ltd
  
• Vea Road Maintenance and Civils (Pty) Ltd
  
• Palabora Mining Company

Top Empowered Company: Job Creation Of The Year Award

Winner: NTT DATA, MEA
Finalists:

• Boxfusion
  
• Reverside Software Solutions (Pty) Ltd
  
• AECI Ltd

Top Empowered Company: Youth Development

Winner: Liquid Intelligent Technologies
Finalists:

• Sasol
  
• Sanlam Ltd
  
• Y-Brand
  
• NTT DATA, MEA
  
• INSETA
  
• Servicios Empresaviales Holdings

Top Empowered: Public Sector Leader Of The Year Award

Winner: COGTA NW -Setshwakge Phando Ephraim Legoale
Runner up: State Diamond Trader - Nosiphiwo Mzamo
Finalists:

• Mega - Isaac Mahlangu
  
• Salga - Thembeka Mthethwa
  
• Community Schemes Ombud Services - Thembelihle Mbatha
  
• INSETA - Gugu Mkhize

Top Empowered: Richard Fletcher Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Winner: Y-Brand - Kabelo Ncholo
Kopano Bus Service - Olivia Maponya
Finalists:

• Masithithuke Holdings - Liyanda Handula
  
• MSCT BEE Services (Pty) Ltd - Stanley Grau
  
• Zimasa Group of Companies - Dorothy Tyobeka
  
• Technique Drilling Services (Pty) Ltd - Oletta Ntshane
  
• NTGR Engineering Projects CC - Abednico Mkhari

Top Empowered: Young Achiever Award

Winner: Sekunjalo Engineering Solutions (Pty) Ltd - Nerissa Chegwidden
Finalists:

• Turner & Townsend (Pty) Ltd - Habel Mwikamba Mwashigadi
  
• Old Mutual Limited - Janelle Chetty
  
• ST Africa Trading Enterprises CC - Tebogo Mahlaela

Top Empowered: Business Leader Of The Year Award

Winner: The Institute of Directors in South Africa - Parmi Natesan
Finalists:

• Palabora Mining Company - Guangmin Wei
  
• In2Food Group (Pty) Ltd - Eshwin Booysen
  
• Servicios Empresaviales Holdings - Mpumi Maesela

Top Empowered Company: Business Of The Year Awards - Sponsored by Nedbank

Winner: Oceana Ltd
Runner up: JSE Limited
Finalists:

• The Institute of Directors in South Africa (NPC)
  
• SLG (Pty) Ltd