2019 Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards, one of the highlights of the province's business calendar, are currently flowing in.

According to Imraan Noorbhai, Provincial Head of Standard Bank KZN, "As Standard bank, we remain resolute in our commitment to achieving our purpose of driving Africa's growth. It is for this reason that we are excited to once again partner with KZN Top Business in recognising entrepreneurs and business who are at the forefront of driving growth and employment that is much needed to address some of the socio-economic challenges that we face as a province.".

Nominations of the various participants have been made through Chambers of Business, CEOs, employees and clients of companies and organisations around KwaZulu-Natal. Being nominated as a top business is an important achievement, because it means that the organisation is worthy of recognition.
The awards are being judged according to the companies' achievements in each of the major sectors of the economy. These are agriculture; mining; manufacturing; construction; trade; transport, storage and communication; financial and business services; social and community services and tourism. However, factors such as brand, stakeholder relations, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and quality of governance are all considered in the formal judging process.

Some nominees across the sectors include:

• Mining: Richards Bay Minerals, Tronox
• Manufacturing: aQuellé, SA Shipyards, Constantia Afripack
• Transport: King Shaka International Airport, Richards Bay Coal Terminal, Wozani Berg Gasoline
• Business and Financial Services: Cox Yeats, FMI, Capitol Caterers, Blue Security
• Tourism: Beekman Group, uShaka Marine World

Apart from the sector awards, an award is given to a private public partnership currently active in development projects in KwaZulu-Natal. This award is in line with current trends in investment and promotion of sustainable growth in the country. Together organisations can achieve what a single entity does not have the capacity, skills or resources to implement.

The Standard Bank KZN Top Business Leader's award is an honorary award given to a business person who has demonstrated exemplary business achievement, industry influence and is a true inspiration to others.

Additional awards are sponsored by eLan Property Group (SMME Award) and BusinessFit (Entrepreneur Award).

Entries  closed on the 15 May 2019. The Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards 2019 gala dinner will be held on Thursday the 13 June at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel Complex.

Members of the public can also get involved and show just how much their local businesses mean to them by voting for the top brand in KwaZulu-Natal which is awarded based only the results of an online poll. This award is much coveted by all entrants and hotly contested each year. The 2018 award was won by uShaka Marine World.

For more information on all categories, their entry requirements and to vote for the KZN Top Brand visit:  www.kzntopbusiness.co.za

Issued by:
Gayle Adlam
KZN Top Business
0836530465
gayle@mweb.co.za