The victors of the southern African round of Africa's most prestigious business awards, the CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards presented by Johnnie Walker Blue Label (AABLA), were announced at a glittering ceremony in Johannesburg on 2 October.
The AABLA recognise the continent's most pioneering business game-changers in a variety of categories that mirror the multifaceted nature of the African business landscape.
The award categories include Young Business Leader of the Year, Business Leader of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and the Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Johnnie Walker Blue Label.
In the category of Southern African Business Leader of the Year, CEO of EOH Holdings Limited, Asher Bohbot, was lauded for his pioneering vision and consistent drive to formulate solutions-based business and IT strategies across his myriad of endeavours.
Fred Robertson was celebrated as southern Africa's Entrepreneur of the Year, a category sponsored by the IDC. A leading figure in the region's business landscape, Robertson has gained experience on national and international business stages through his directorship and co-founding of numerous leading of black economic empowerment companies; including the JSE-listed brokerage Brimstone Investment Corporation, where he serves as chairman.
The Young Business Leader of the Year Award was jointly presented to group CEOs of The Creative Counsel, Gil Oved and Ran Neu-Ner. The Creative Counsel is South Africa's leading activations agency and ranks as the top marketing, media and advertising group in the country. These two dynamic leaders combine proven entrepreneurial instinct with charisma and innovation to sustain the creative force that drives the success of their company.
2014's Southern African Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon Phuthuma Nhleko, a remarkable business leader who has shaped the region's business climate through a dedication to best practice and innovation. Former CEO of the MTN Group, Nhleko has had a long and impactful career, which has seen him serving on the boards of several major companies, including the GSM Association, Worldwide African Investment Holdings, Johnnic Holdings, Nedbank Group and Old Mutual SA.
"As the African economy continues to emerge and grow, it is pioneering individuals such as these who continue to lead the continent on the path to prosperity. We are proud to be in a position to acknowledge them at the highest level," says Dominic Mearing, Head of Reserve at Brandhouse.
The AABLA partnered with BMW South Africa to ensure the awards finalists and judges were transferred to and from the event in style and comfort and will do so again for the finale. The southern African round marked the penultimate regional leg of the awards, with East Africa's business elite having been honoured in Nairobi on 20 September.
The final regional round is set to take place in West Africa on 23 October, before the winners from the three regions go on to compete in the highly anticipated finale event, to take place in Johannesburg on 14 November.
At the CNBC Africa All Africa Business Leaders Awards presented by Johnnie Walker Blue Label finale event, the regional winners will vie for the ultimate title of Africa's most inimitable business leader in their respective fields.
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