BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR 2023 - Owen Heffer from Hollywoodbets

Devin Heffer accepted the Leader of the Year award on behalf of his father Owen Heffer from Imraan Noorbhai, Head Consumer Client Coverage KZN Standard Bank, Simone Cooper, Head: Business and Commercial Banking South Africa, Standard Bank and Grant Adlam CEO KZN Top Business

This an honorary award given to a business leader who is an innovative visionary with a traceable success record.

Owen Heffer, owner of Hollywoodbets, has a genuine rags-to-riches story as he started off with virtually nothing, in a country that was brand new to him and his family. Through sheer determination and obsession, he created a brand that is now synonymous with the colour purple. “Think purple. Think Hollywoodbets.”

Hollywoodbets has a powerful presence across South Africa, but none more so than here in KwaZulu-Natal. They are currently the title sponsors of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins cricket team, Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Hollywoodbets Greyville Racecourse and Hollywoodbets Scottsville Racecourse.

They are also associate sponsors of the Cell C Sharks rugby team, the Comrades Marathon, and title sponsor of Africa’s greatest horse racing event, the Hollywoodbets Durban July. And for soccer lovers, you will see their name on the front of all the teams in the Hollywoodbets Super League, as well as English Premier League outfit Brentford Football Club.

A major value of Hollywoodbets is UBUNTU, and they know “they are” because of “their communities.” And that is why the Hollywood Foundation was established. A non-profit organisation, performing CSI work on behalf of Hollywoodbets, has been incredible in changing lives and communities in South Africa. In 2023, they supported 1065 different charity organisations, 287 schools, 176 sports teams, and 118 SMMEs (through supplier and enterprise development). They supplied 308 students with bursaries and financial support amounting to over R12.7 million. This has impacted the lives of over 485 054 people across South Africa!

But the one thing that stands true, is that Owen will tell you… HE is not Hollywoodbets. He will tell you that Hollywoodbets is the 6227 team members, whose Purple blood lives and breathes the culture of the organisation every day. It is this team’s hard work, dedication, and passion that has got Hollywoodbets to the heights it has today.

However, when looking from the outside in, we can say that through Owen’s leadership, and the empowerment of his team, he has enabled and led the incredible success of the Hollywoodbets brand, and we are certain that this proudly KZN brand, will grow from strength to strength.