Durban; 29 June 2012 â€" Last night at a gala event held at the Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel, First National Bank and the KZN Top Business hosted the 6th FNB KZN Top Business Portfolio Awards. The event was attended by an esteemed list of dignitaries and leaders from various government departments, municipalities, organisations and businesses across the province.
FNB KZN Regional Chairman Preggie Pillay said, “The KZN Top Business Awards allow businesses in various categories to be recognised and awarded in the region. We congratulate all the winners and nominees. We further applaud them for their hard work and efforts in adding great amounts of value to the KZN region and we look forward to seeing more businesses taking part in these great awards.”

An award is given in each economic sector to businesses and organisations that are making a contribution to the sustained economic growth of KwaZulu-Natal.

The winners in each category are:
1. Agriculture: Tongaat Hulett
2. Mining and Quarrying: Corobrik
3. Manufacturing: Safal Steel
4. Utilities: Umgeni Water
5. Trade: The Spar Group
6. Transport, Storage and Communication: King Shaka International Airport
7. Financial and Business Services: The Unlimited
8. Social and Community Services: PC Training & Business College
9. Tourism: Suncoast Casino, Hotel & Entertainment
10. Municipal (Promotion): eThekwini Municipality
11. Government (Promoting socio-economic growth): KZN Department of Finance (Financial Literacy Programme)
12. Partnership: Wildlands Conservation Trust (Integrated Greening Programme)
13. KZN Top Brand: East Coast Radio

The winning project for the Partnership award, the top award of the evening, reflects the importance of effective inter-agency collaboration and partnerships. The aim of the programme, led by the Office of the Premier and co-ordinated by the Department of Public Works, is to develop and implement a wide range of community-based greening activities. These stimulate local economic development whilst nurturing the establishment of vibrant, self-motivated communities that are clean, green and driven by inspired ‘green-preneurs,’ a term piloted by Wildlands.
The KZN Top Brand Award allows the people of KZN to get involved through an online poll over two rounds. Over 360 brands contested for the top ten positions, which went through to second round of voting, where East Coast Radio obtaining the most votes. This win was followed closely by Clover in second place and The Unlimited in third place.
The Top Business Portfolio goes green
The 14th edition of the KZN Top Business Portfolio was also launched at the occasion. In keeping with a desire to support a greener world the KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Portfolio 2012 has been printed on SAPPI Triple Green paper. This is an environmentally friendly paper stock made from chlorine-free sugar canefibre, to support sustainable afforestation in South Africa.
Publisher Lalita Dhasiar-Ventura concluded, “The Portfolio and Awards are used to raise awareness of KwaZulu-Natal’s vibrant and robust economy. By showcasing success through the achievements of the various companies and organisations operating here, we also promote KwaZulu-Natal as a first rate business destination. We would like to congratulate and thank all those entered the Awards and wish you well in your future endeavours.”

Ends

For more information contact:
Gayle McLennan-Smith
Editor
031 2671977
083 6530465
www.topbusiness.co.za

Thabi Mokoena
FNB Communications
Tel: (011) 352 0410
Cell: 073 542 6410
E-mail Thabi.Mokoena@fnb.co.za