It`s only been a year since the merger between Business Connection, a predominantly black-owned IT Microsoft systems solution partner, and Microsoft specialist Seattle Solutions was concluded. The merged entity, renamed Business Connexion, had its work cut out for it starting 2002 with an expected annual turnover of R150 million and ending up achieving over R300 million.
Looking back, it`s obvious the company delivered. Capping the year was the presentation of the IT Personality of the Year Award for 2002 to Benjamin Mophatlane, CEO of Business Connexion, by the Computing Society of South Africa (CSSA). Organised in association with ITWeb and Meta Group, the annual award recognises those who have made the most significant contribution to the South African IT industry, advanced the development of the community, and successfully built a highly respected IT business.
Accepting the award, Mophatlane said he viewed the award as a vindication of all that Business Connexion is working towards. "Our vision is one of a true South African company, an organisation that is not defined in terms of its blackness or whiteness, but one that is seen to combine the best that people in this country have to offer."
Business Connexion`s COO, Matthew Blewett was also recognised by the CSSA KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) chapter, which named him MTN IT Personality of the Year for his contributions to IT business and development in the region.
Business Connexion was also named the Best Performance and Productivity Black Business for 2002 by Black Business Quarterly (BBQ) magazine. "Business Connexion stands out from other exceptional organisations as a result of its excellent performance, its pride in being South African, and its commitment to improving the lot of the South African worker," said Howard Plaatjes, BBQ editor.
As one of Microsoft`s most prominent southern African partners in terms of licence revenues, accreditations and service revenues, Business Connexion also received Microsoft kudos. The company won Microsoft`s prestigious Best Channel Partner for Africa, based on quality of support, sales performance and customer satisfaction - for the second consecutive year. "Microsoft cited our company`s accomplishments in delivering superior customer support service levels," says Mophatlane. "The award distinguishes partners who have consistently delivered Microsoft world-class service levels to their customers."
In addition, Business Connexion became the first service partner recipient of a special recognition award from Microsoft, naming the company "Microsoft Gold Partner of the Year for South Africa". The award recognised Business Connexion`s accomplishments in supporting Microsoft products for customers on the African continent and honours the company`s market services leadership, innovation and its triple Microsoft Gold Partner status - the only company in SA to achieve this.
As a final feather in the cap of this exemplification of successful empowerment, the company was also accredited with full membership of Proudly South African, a campaign to promote local companies, products and services that are helping to create jobs and economic growth in the country.
Mophatlane concludes: "Business Connexion puts people first. It is for this reason that we believe employment equity should not be seen as a curse, but should become a part of life. We have a diverse culture, and diversity is a strength - that is why we are proudly South African."
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