EY is pleased to announce the winners in the Master, Exceptional and Emerging categories of its 2014 Southern Africa Chapter of the World Entrepreneur Awards programme. This group of leading entrepreneurs was selected by an independent judging panel made up of previous winners of the award, leading CEOs and regional business leaders.
We congratulate this year's winners in the following categories: Master entrepreneur category: Asher Bohbot, EOH; Exceptional entrepreneur category: Divine Ndhlukula, Securico; and Emerging entrepreneur category: Justin Clarke, One Africa Media.
The EY World Entrepreneur Award is more than just a tribute. With Africa tipped for significant growth, it is important that we, as a continent, nurture support and celebrate entrepreneurs because they are the lifeblood of economies.
In order to achieve the potential the continent holds, Africa needs entrepreneurs who build high-growth companies with integrity, who add value to their markets and who develop skills on a large scale, while creating sustainable jobs.
As a leader in guiding entrepreneurs and their companies, EY honours these entrepreneurs for the energy and innovative ideas they bring to generate growth in their economies, while inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
CJ Kujenga, Strategic Growth Markets leader for EY Africa says: "This year's winners are testament to the talent that exists on the continent. As potential drivers of the economy and creators of jobs, they embody the entrepreneurial spirit and commitment we all need to realise the potential of Africa."
Africa has reached a point where it has proved that it can produce African entrepreneurs who can propel not only their own countries forward, but the continent. "We at EY are proud to be associated with such remarkable business minds. They exemplify excellence and greatness and, more importantly, the fact that Africa owns its own future. Our progress lies in the talent and potential they hold as business people operating on the continent," she says.
In addition to these awards, EY is proud to bestow the Lifetime Achievement Award on one of South Africa's legendary and truly iconic entrepreneur, Sol Kerzner.
As the founder and former Chairman of Kerzner International Holdings, Kerzner demonstrated an extraordinary spirit of entrepreneurship that is celebrated not only in the country, but across the world.
Mr Kerzner, a visionary who redefined the scope and scale of destination resorts, founded both of South Africa's largest hotel groups and has played a pivotal role in the development of the tourism industries of South Africa, Mauritius, the Maldives, Dubai and the Bahamas.
He played a pivotal role in putting South Africa on the tourism map, and his legacy to South Africa will live on not only through the hotels and resorts he built, but also through the hospitality industry that continues to thrive. We are extraordinarily proud to recognise Mr Kerzner, whose excellence is an inspiration to many other entrepreneurs," says Kujenga.
As winner in Master Entrepreneur category, which is being sponsored by South African Airways, Asher Bohbot of EOH will join his counterparts from West and East Africa at the EY World Entrepreneur of The Year event in Monte Carlo, where they will compete with winners from 50 other countries for the global title.
About the award winners:
Master entrepreneur category winner of the EY World Entrepreneur Awards 2014: EOH: Asher Bohbot
Bohbot moved to South Africa in 1980. With a BSc in Industrial Engineering from MAP, he spent many years working in the engineering industry with a focus in manufacturing and logistics. He started EOH in 1998 with just 20 employees and one customer, his former employer PG Bison. Today, the business and technology solutions provider has 6 000 employers and more than 3 500 customers.
Exceptional entrepreneur category winner of the EY World Entrepreneur Awards 2014: Securico: Divine Ndhlukula
Ndhlukula is the founder and managing director of Securico. She started the company with just four employees, but was able to carve out a niche for herself in the male-dominated security sector. Today, her company has more than 3 700 employees and is the first Zimbabwean-manned security company to be certified to the internationally acclaimed ISO9001:2008 Quality Management System. The company is currently the biggest employer of women outside the civil service.
Emerging entrepreneur category winner of the EY World Entrepreneur Awards 2014: One Africa Media: Justin Clarke
Clarke describes himself as a university drop-out who has never been able to hold down a job. But through sheer determination, he founded One Africa Media, which operates Africa's largest portfolio of online marketplaces focused on jobs, cars, property and travel. Serving markets with over 400 million Africans, One Africa Media operates in the world's fastest-growing economies and Internet markets where connecting buyers, sellers, employers and jobseekers adds significant value to people's lives.
Very important note: Please be aware of the following, when referring to the World Entrepreneur Awards Programme:
The phrase entrepreneur of the Year is registered as a trade mark in South Africa in the name of Business Partners. Legally, in South Africa, Ernst & Young are therefore entitled to use only the following replacement phrases: World Entrepreneur Awards, World Entrepreneur Awards Programme, World Entrepreneur or World Entrepreneur Programme.
About Entrepreneur Of The Year
EY's global Entrepreneur of the Year programme is the world's most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. Recognised globally, the award provides a unique way of encouraging entrepreneurial activity and recognising the contribution of outstanding men and women who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, EY Entrepreneur of the Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing, and dynamic business, recognising them through regional, national and global awards programmes in 140 cities in 50 countries.
About EY
EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services the company delivers help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. EY develops outstanding leaders who team to deliver on the company's promises to all of its stakeholders. In so doing, it plays a critical role in building a better working world for its people, for clients and for communities.
EY refers to the global organisation and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. For more information about the organisation, please visit ey.com.
This news release has been issued by EYGM, a member of the global EY organisation that also does not provide any services to clients.
Following on from EY's successful integration in 2008 of 87 countries into one area from across Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA), the firm has launched its Africa Business Center (ABC), which aims to enhance the effective and efficient links between its geographic reach and areas of expertise. The firm enjoys representation in 33 countries across Africa.
Share