Showcasing success
18 Aug 2008

Witness Reporter

This year, businesses as diverse as Hulamin Limited, Afgri Producer Services, Alltube, Buckman Laboratories and the Stables Wine Estate are aspiring for top honours in the annual FNB KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Portfolio Awards to be held in Durban later this month.

With 34 municipalities in KZN, 2 606 public schools, UKZN and government entities such as Tourism KZN under its umbrella, FNB's public sector banking unit was formed five years ago specifically to help the government and NGOs overcome the massive logistical challenges they face, said David Montsho, FNB KZN provincial executive.

FNB is integrally linked to the awards, and Montsho said it believes it is essential to showcase the positive contributions made by industrial players in the KZN economy to build investor confidence in the volatile global market.

Grant Adlam, CEO of the KZN Top Business Portfolio, said that by communicating the achievements of successful companies in KZN, they might serve as an inspiration to others to do business in the province.

"This year, a record 150 nominations were submitted for consideration -- a sign of the vibrant business environment in KZN and acceptance of the awards as the indicator of business success in the province."

Achievements are awarded in each of the major sectors as specified by the South African Standard Classification of Economic Activities, including agriculture; mining; manufacturing; utilities; construction; trade; transport, storage and communication; financial and business services; and social and community services.

The winners will be announced during a gala event on August 28 at Durban's International Conference Centre.

The dinner coincides with the launch of the KZN Top Business Portfolio, both in print and electronic formats.