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.
Here is the full list of 2024 Oliver Top Empowerment Awards winners and finalists
TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: FAST GROWTH BLACK-OWNED SMME OF THE YEAR
Winner: Sekunjalo Engineering Solutions
Highly commended: 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
- Masithuthuke Holdings
- Zimasa Group of Companies
- Technique Drilling Services (Pty) Ltd
TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR - Sponsored by Merchants
Winner: Sanlam Limited
Highly commended: 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
Highly commended: 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
Highly commended: 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
Highly commended: 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
Highly commended: 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
Highly commended: 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
Highly commended: Kopano Bus Service - Olivia Maponya
Finalists:
- Masithuthuke 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
Highly commended: JSE Limited
Finalists:
- The Institute of Directors in South Africa (NPC)
- SLG (Pty) Ltd
About the Oliver Top Empowerment Awards
The Oliver Top Empowerment Awards, hosted by Topco Media, is a prestigious event in South Africa hosted alongside the Nedbank Top Empowerment conference, that recognises leadership and innovation in empowerment across both private and public sectors. The awards have grown significantly over the past 23 years, both in attendance and participation, and serve as a tribute to visionaries, innovators, and leaders dedicated to making a meaningful impact in their communities and industries.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
