KwaZulu-Natal’s businesspeople have risen to the challenges posed by South Africa’s demanding economic environment and ensured that the province has maintained its position as a key player in the country, contributing about 16% to the national GDP.
KwaZulu-Natal may be the third-smallest province by land size in the country, but its entrepreneurs ensure that the province competes above its weight and is second only to Gauteng in contributing to the economy, said Kuben Chetty, Head of Commercial Banking, Client Coverage KZN at Standard Bank when congratulating Award winners at the KZN Top Business Awards gala dinner at Umhlanga Rocks.
Standard Bank is proud to be associated with what has become KZN’s premier business award. Since its inception 18 years ago, the event has grown with the province, reflecting the events that have changed and shaped business. Our congratulations go the winners in each of the fourteen categories which recognise achievements in business that range from contributions to their own sector, employee wellness, community upliftment and green energy.”
Grant Adlam, CEO of KZN Top Business, said business success relies on strong leaders who are ready to act. In the process of realising their ambitions, they not only created opportunities for others but also contributed to society and made the world a better place. “As Nelson Mandela said, everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and enthusiastic about what they do,” he said.
“The winner of the Standard Bank KZN Top Business Leader of the Year Award 2024, Brian Howarth, the managing director of Magnet, a leading industrial and commercial electrical and energy solutions provider in KZN for 32 years, mirrors all the characteristics of an exemplary business leader.”
In her closing comments, Simone Cooper, Head of Business and Commercial Banking South Africa at Standard Bank Group Ltd, said: “It is gratifying tonight to see the leaders of many KZN businesses including some that Standard Bank has partnered with over the years, listed among the award winners tonight and present in the audience.
We believe strongly in the future of KZN and will, as we have over the decades, continue supporting and helping local businesses grow.”
The complete list of winners in the various categories were:
Standard Bank Client of the Year – SME Category: Less than R100 million annual turnover.
• Steelco
Standard Bank Client of the Year – Larger Enterprise: More than R100 million annual turnover.
• Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund
Manufacturing Sector
• Sumitomo Rubber South Africa
Transport/Logistics Sector
• Grindrod Limited
Franchising Sector
• RE/MAX Coast and Country
Family Owned/ Managed Business
• Royal Tyres
Agriculture and Agri-Processing Sector
• Agrikool
Business, Finance and Education
• Inspired Financial Management Solutions
Community Upliftment and Improvement
• SA Home Loans
Renewable Efficiency – Green initiatives
• SAMAC Engineering Solutions
Employee Wellness
• Beekman Group
Partnership
• Do More Foundation
Top Brand
Mi7 National Group
…”
The evening’s proceedings will be available on YouTube at:
https://www.youtube.com/c/KZNTopBusiness from 19 July, with the premiere starting at 6 p.m.
All the winners and finalists will be featured in a special supplement published in The Mercury on 23 July.
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