The South African Premier Business Awards is annual event hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in partnership with Proudly South African and Brand South Africa. The awards recognise business excellence and honours enterprises that promote the spirit of success and innovation as well as job creation, good business ethics and quality. These awards bring together all single sectored awards, among others technology, manufacturing and women in business.
The event is hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Applications close on the 6 March 2015. Visit the website for more details, by clicking here.
Categories
There are ten categories (yes, 10 categories) which are listed and explained below:
| Category and Rationale | Criteria |
| 1. Lifetime Achievement Award This is a discretionary award to recognise an individual/s who have contributed significantly to the economic development of South Africa during their lifetime. The Minister of Trade and Industry will consider an individual with a consistent and outstanding track record of no less than 30 years’ active involvement in business. |
· A South African entrepreneur who has succeeded and achieved major successes in business for a period of no less than 30 years. · An entrepreneur with a proven track record in business. · An extensive track record with regard to the mentoring of upcoming entrepreneurs and involvement in community projects aimed at uplifting the economic conditions of others and South Africa in general. |
| 2. Manufacturers Award The award recognises and promotes best practice and the important role of the manufacturing sector in South Africa’s economy with regard to sustainable job creation. |
· This award aims to recognise South African manufacturers that produce innovative products. · This category recognises an enterprise or organisation that demonstrates efforts to achieve world-class manufacturing standards, e.g. the 3 Sigma manufacturing standard. · The enterprise or entrant must provide evidence of benchmarking against world best practice to demonstrate the existence of innovative practices or best operating practice. · The enterprise or entrant must provide evidence of product innovation to meet customer demands. · The enterprise or entrant must provide evidence of product excellence and customer satisfaction. · The enterprise or entrant must provide evidence of the extent of its participation in skills development, upliftment of unemployed youth and/or unskilled citizens and the use of its enterprise development budget towards building local enterprises. |
3. Exporters Award This award recognises all export industry sectors, from services to manufacturing. It aims to encourage South African enterprises to participate in international business and markets and to ensure that their products and/or services can compete globally. |
· The entrant must provide evidence of its trading to foreign markets and must have been in business for two to three fiscal years. · The entrant must provide evidence that it is currently exporting and has export sales of at least 50% of their total turnover. · The entrant must demonstrate the expansion or creation of opportunities through its export activities. · The entrant must be able to demonstrate how it has promoted and/or increased the use of local suppliers for export activities. |
| 4. Enterprise Development Support Award The award recognises corporates that procure from small, medium and micro enterprise, in particular black- and women-owned enterprises. |
· The entrant should include an enterprise development strategy as supporting documents. · The enterprise or organisation must have a supplier development programme. · The enterprise or organisation should demonstrate the number of SMMEs they have procured from and the actual value spent (this should show growth in investment in SMMEs). · The enterprise or organisation should demonstrate their contribution towards capacity building and skills development of suppliers and new enterprises. |
| 5. Young Entrepreneur Award This award recognises 100% youth-owned enterprises trading in South Africa and recognises young individuals who demonstrate high levels of entrepreneurship and innovation. |
· The enterprise or organisation must indicate the number of years in business. · The enterprise should be 100% youth-owned and must be in the service or manufacturing sector. · The owners of the enterprise or organisation must not be older than 35 years and must demonstrate leadership potential. · A South African ID copy and company registration documents are required as supporting documents. · The entrant should provide a record of job creation and supporting documents. · Evidence must be provided to show a proven track record in developing and implementing unique business ideas. · The entrant must provide evidence of mentoring through the transfer of skills and a high involvement in projects aimed at empowering others. · The entrant must be able to demonstrate participation in community programmes that aim to make a difference in the community (positive social impact). |
| 6. Investor of the year Award This award aims to encourage the expansion of investment into the South African economy. It recognises efforts and commitments by local and global companies to create jobs and stimulate the economy through investment across all industry. |
· The enterprise must prove a valuable contribution towards job creation. · Evidence should illustrate increased local or foreign investment over a period of one year. · The entrant must be able to prove that jobs were created as a result of the investment in South Africa. · The entrant must be able to prove the degree to which the investment benefits the community in which it is situated. · Evidence must be provided to illustrate that the entrant procures from local manufacturers and to what degree. |
| 7. Proudly South African Enterprise Award This award is specifically aimed at enterprises that are registered members of Proudly South African. It recognises enterprises that manufacture or supply high-quality local products and/or services, are known for being proud members of Proudly South African and adhere to the four pillars of the campaign. |
· The member company should be responsible for creating or enhancing local employment opportunities and economic growth by demonstrating the number of local jobs created year-on-year and must provide evidence that it complies with fair labour practices and good environmental standards. · The entrant must demonstrate the degree to which it has utilised the Proudly South African brand in above and below the line activities. · The entrant must prove that it has promoted and increased the use of local suppliers, content and materials in its own operations and those of suppliers and partners (local sourcing). · The entrant must provide evidence and list the local and international quality management systems or standards with which it complies. It must demonstrate knowledge of and acquaintance with global best operating practices. |
| 8. Play Your Part Award This award aims to uplift the spirit of our nation by inspiring all citizens to contribute to positive change by becoming involved in and implementing social programmes. A nation of people who care deeply for one another and the environment in which they live is good for everyone. |
· The enterprise must clearly demonstrate that it has played a part in supporting or developing innovative community upliftment projects. Supporting documents must be provided. · The entrant must show the nature of its involvement in youth development and empowerment projects and programmes. · The entrant must share the values practised within the enterprise and the community. |
| 9. SMME Award This award acknowledges small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) as a key enabler of economic growth and employment in South Africa. The award targets SMMEs with less than 300 employees and a turnover below R100 million. The company must illustrate its sustainability and future potential to grow and create more local jobs. |
· This category targets SMMEs with less than 300 employees. Evidence of this must be provided. · The SMME must provide evidence of innovation of either a product or system of manufacturing and intellectual property protection. · Evidence needs to be provided to demonstrate competitiveness and the market share that the enterprise has captured or penetrated. · Product uniqueness must be demonstrated. · Evidence must be provided to demonstrate the degree to which the enterprise contributes towards job creation and must be quantified by showing the number of jobs created year-on-year. |
| 10. Women Owned Businesses Award This award acknowledges women-owned enterprises as a key part of economic growth in South Africa. |
· The enterprise/organisation should indicate number of years in business. · The enterprise should be 100% women-owned and must be in the service or manufacturing sectors. · The owner must demonstrate leadership potential and supporting documents must be provided. · Evidence must be given of a proven track record with regard to job creation. · The entrant must illustrate growth potential, mentorship of young women and skills development. · Evidence must be given of a proven track record in developing and implementing unique business ideas. · Evidence must be provided of mentoring through the transfer of skills and a high involvement in projects aimed at empowering others. · The entrant must be able to demonstrate participation in community programmes that aim to make a difference in the community (positive social impact programmes). |