MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: 14 AUGUST 2017
MINISTER DAVIES ANNOUNCES DATE FOR SA PREMIER BUSINESS AWARDS 2017
The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies is delighted to announce that the 5th instalment of the annual South African Premier Business Awards (SAPBA) will be held in Johannesburg on 7 December 2017.
The Awards, jointly hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in partnership with Brand South Africa and Proudly South African recognise business excellence and honours enterprises that promote the spirit of success and innovation as well as job creation, good business ethics and quality. They also bring together all single sectored awards, among others technology, manufacturing and women in business.
Sharing his thoughts on the awards and the progress made to date, Minister Davies says that the SAPBA have succeeded in achieving the premium title event and have survived the staying test cementing themselves as the prime event in the imagination of all progressive entrepreneurs.
“The SAPBA have demonstrated a substantial rise in stature from recording a considerable number of 133 entries in 2015 to 180 entries received in 2016. We are looking forward to an even bigger number of entries for the 2017 edition and have put in place all measures to ensure that we attend to all entries received. Our officials are also underway with preparations to ensure that we host another successful and bigger awards ceremony,” says Davies.
Davies adds that the highlight of the 2016 SAPBA was the bestowing of a Lifetime Achiever Award on Ms Gloria Serobe, Executive Director of WIPHOLD and CEO of Wipcapital, at a ceremony that was held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Proudly South African Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Eustace Mashimbye adds that the combined efforts and expertise of the dti, Proudly South African and Brand South Africa on this project have resulted in the SAPBA gaining real significance on the calendar of large and small corporations.
“Proudly South African is of course always keen to see a large number of companies who demonstrate high levels of local procurement amongst the nominations. Iit is no cliché to say that everyone who recognises the importance of business excellence and commitment to growing the country's economy, from entrants to finalists, are all winners for their efforts in this regard,” says Mashimbye.
Speaking on the partnership, Brand South Africa CEO, Dr Kingsley Makhubela says Brand South Africa is proud to continue its partnership with the dti for the awards in recognising business excellence as a catalyst towards improving and growing the Nation Brand.
“The awards will further highlight the importance of how business excellence is making positive strides to the contribution of South Africa’s global competitiveness and affirmation that we are a country open for business,” he adds.
Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti