Sanlam, Sasol and SARS among 2025 Nedbank Top Empowerment Award winners
The prestigious Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards 2025 took centre stage on the night of 31 July 2025, celebrating the exceptional individuals, companies, and organisations driving transformation and empowerment across South Africa. Held under the theme “Defying Limits, Empowering Change,” the event gathered the country’s foremost leaders, changemakers and visionaries in a powerful tribute to inclusive growth and economic justice. Hosted by the renowned broadcaster Leanne Manas, the evening commenced with a welcome address by Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media, who acknowledged the remarkable progress being made in economic empowerment. The event featured insights from the esteemed judging panel during a live Q&A session with Khensani Nobanda, Group Executive: Group Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank, and Gavin Fitzmaurice, Partner at Webber Wentzel, who reflected on the calibre of this year’s entries. Guests were further inspired by a powerful keynote from Mfundo Nkuhlu, Chief Operating Officer of Nedbank Group, followed by an address from the Honourable Minister Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, who spoke to the critical role of digital transformation in building an inclusive, empowered future. Congratulations to the finalists and winners of the categories: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: FAST GROWTH BLACK-OWNED SMME OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Bono Property Group Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: PUBLIC SECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: South African Revenue Service (SARS) Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: ENTERPRISE AND SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD, Sponsored by Nedbank Winner: Mondi Zimele (Pty) Ltd Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN THE WORKPLACE OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Schneider Electric Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Nestlé ESAR Highly Commended: Isanti Glass Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD, Sponsored by Nedbank Winner: Sanlam Life Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Vaxowave Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: SOCIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Sasol Limited Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED: LIFETIME ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR AWARD Honourable Minister Enoch Godongwana – Minister of Finance for South Africa MUNICIPAL WOMEN LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD, Sponsored by SALGA NEDBANK OLIVER TOP EMPOWERMENT LEGENDS 2025 TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: JOB CREATION OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Geeks4Learning (Pty) Ltd Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: EDUCATION AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Mondi Zimele (Pty) Ltd Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED: PUBLIC SECTOR LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Edward Kieswetter – South African Revenue Service (SARS) Finalists: RICHARD FLETCHER ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Patricia Tshitema – Bono Property Group Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED: YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR AWARD (UNDER 40) Winner: Beverley Siwisa – Afrizan People Intelligence (Pty) Ltd Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED: BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Sindisiwe Dlamini – Pamodzi Unique Engineering Finalists: TOP EMPOWERED COMPANY: BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD, Sponsored by Nedbank Winner: Oceana Group Limited Highly Commended: Isanti Glass Finalists: The 2025 Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards not only recognised excellence but reignited the national conversation around transformation, equity, and sustainable development. As the winners and finalists take their well-deserved place among South Africa’s top empowered leaders, this year’s event stands as a bold reminder that meaningful change is not only possible – it is already in motion. A heartfelt thank you to our valued sponsors whose support made this celebration of empowerment possible: Nedbank, our Platinum Sponsor; SALGA, also proudly supporting our Category Awards; and our esteemed Lifestyle Sponsors — L’Oréal, Jenna Clifford, and Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa — for adding their unique touch to the evening. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners who continue to inspire, innovate, and lead the way forward.
3 ways to use events to boost your organisation’s reach and revenue
By Koketso Mamabolo Events such as business conferences, masterclasses, and product launches are excellent ways to position your brand at the forefront of your industry, increasing brand awareness, generating leads and shortening sales cycles. Whether in-person, virtual or hybrid, they are proven ways to build new partnerships and market your brand. Here are three ways to use events to grow your brand: 1. Partner with specialists When planning an event, why get someone to do it when you could do it yourself? When you start unpacking the details – the time it takes; the resources and expertise required; the capacity to reach a wide audience – it may be time to call in the experts. The experience and knowledge it takes to put together an event is not something most businesses have inhouse. By outsourcing an event to a group of experts, you can focus on what you do best: running your business. Everything from marketing campaigns, press releases, speakers, session content, exhibition booths – all of that will be handled for you. Events that have been around for years, which attract industry leaders from various sectors, offer you the opportunity to benefit from being associated with a respected institution. You also gain from associating with non-competitors who are leaders in their own niche markets. When you partner with a B2B event you get the results without having to put in as much financially. You save money, reach a wider audience, generate more content and can get a great return on your investment. Events can take months to organise and the costs can add up. From something as big as the venue or virtual conferencing platform, all the way to the “swag packs” attendees get. All these costs will fall on you when you organise your own event. But when you partner with experts, who understand how to navigate the costs of hosting the event, you just have to pay for the naming rights and everything else will be covered for you. The brand visibility that comes from partnering with an event can lead to an uptick in sales. Before, during and after the event your business is on display, bringing in both old and new customers. You put a little in and you get a lot out of it. 2. Be deliberate about making connections Events offer an opportunity to build relationships and engage with potential partners. In one room, or many, you will have a chance to speak to the people you want to be speaking with to help your business grow and improve. Attendees and exhibitors are at an event with your name on it, which does wonders for brand awareness and networking. Besides potential partners, events are also a great place to meet and attract top talent and share knowledge. See every conversation as an opportunity to connect. You never know who you will meet. You could find yourself having a conversation with the CEO of a multinational corporation who is hiring, or looking to form new partnerships. Have a good idea beforehand who will be attending the conference, which allows you to be more direct in who you network with and possibly set up meetings with beforehand. While it is important to know who you want to meet or what you want to discuss, you need to be open to meeting people you weren’t planning to. Following up after the event is key. Once you’ve exchanged details and discussed partnerships, make sure you reinforce. Whether that be an email or a message on LinkedIn. Being in a room with a range of industry stakeholders is rare. Don’t let the opportunity slip through. 3. Create, create, create Events can be an indirect way of advertising your brand. While advertising online, in newspapers or digital magazines, allows you to speak directly to customers and potential partners, events allow you to speak to them in indirect ways. With all the content created comes web traffic and engagement on your social media accounts. From press releases, web posts, interviews, competitions and more, the chance to drive traffic to your website and increase sales is ever present. All the exposure you get at the event will also provide an opportunity to present your products and services in different ways. You’re able to market new and existing offerings in indirect and direct ways. If you’re working with an event partner, their marketing and PR teams will create content, attendees will create content, speakers and exhibitors will create content, everyone creates content. All that content is available for you to leverage. Your brand’s message will get across to many people across the world in various formats and platforms through marketing campaigns. Topco Media has solutions that can help you get a return on your investment, build relationships, reach a wider audience and generate more content. With our solutions you get the benefit of having your brand associated with an event that attracts top decision makers from the public sector, private sector and everyone in between. You can do it yourself – but the experts can do it better. For enquiries on how you can partner with us on one of our B2B events, contact Twaambo Chileshe and let us help your business reach its goals and further its reach: twaambo.chileshe@topco.co.za
Africa Tech Digital Transformation Award winner: Etapath’s Co-Founder on making transport more accessible
By Koketso Mamabolo In just five years Etapath went from manual internal process to building an in-house tool which evolved into client-facing, digital-first, centralised tech solution. Their digital transformation journey has seen them help businesses provide their employees with safe, reliable and affordable transport. “Our journey has been rooted in a vision to make transport in South Africa more accessible, efficient, and opportunity-driven,” says Benjamin Gordon, Co-Founder of Etapath, the winner of the 2025 Africa Tech Digital Transformation award. Across the country, Etapath has completed over a million scheduled commutes, with over 15 000 users and the results are impressive: Their corporate clients report 30% in savings on transport and a 40% drop in absenteeism. After having made such an impact in only half a decade, there’s sure to be even more success in store for the rapidly growing tech company. “Opportunities only materialise when you’re prepared to seize them, and we’ve made it a priority to always be ready for what’s next.” Congratulations on winning the Digital Transformation award. What does winning the award mean to you and your organisation? Winning the Digital Transformation Award is a significant milestone for us. It affirms the hard work we’ve invested in evolving from manual operations to digital systems, from reactive problem-solving to proactive innovation, and from serving local needs to having a national footprint. More than just a recognition of our technology, this award honors the real-world impact we’re making; supporting workers on their daily commutes, enabling businesses to function reliably, and opening doors for communities to access better opportunities. Meet the Africa Tech Founder of the Year Please tell us about your journey, how did you get to this point in your career? Our journey has been rooted in a vision to make transport in South Africa more accessible, efficient, and opportunity-driven. Since Etapath’s start in 2020, we’ve focused on delivering high-tech transport solutions that address real-world challenges. Early traction with major corporate clients helped us expand nationally by 2022. Along the way, we developed impactful tools like the Team Manager platform, an integrated payment system, and detailed passenger data analytics. Strategic partnerships with organisations such as BPESA and Google Mobility have played a critical role in our growth and influence. What are the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in your journey and how have you been able to apply them? One of the most important lessons is to never take things personally. The best ideas should win, no matter where they come from. True progress happens when ego steps aside. Another key lesson is that luck is really the intersection of preparation and timing. Opportunities only materialise when you’re prepared to seize them, and we’ve made it a priority to always be ready for what’s next. Read: The full list of winners from 2025 Africa Tech Awards What inspires you to do what you do? We’re driven by a bigger mission: to eliminate technology as a barrier to employment, investment, and growth. We believe tech should be an enabler, not an obstacle. By making commuting simpler, safer, and more affordable, and by equipping small fleet operators with advanced tools, we’re helping build an inclusive and competitive transport ecosystem that benefits everyone, from individual commuters to enterprise-level clients. What do you believe are the major trends you believe we should be looking out for in the next few years? We expect Cape Town to emerge as a key hub for tech innovation in South Africa. We’re also watching the rise of homegrown e-hailing platforms expanding across Africa. And of course, AI is set to transform the transport industry even further; especially in areas like route optimisation, driver allocation, and operational efficiency.
‘Success without people is empty’ – Africa Tech Founder of the Year Oscar Molaba
By Koketso Mamabolo Vision, perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit is what defines the Africa Tech Founder of the Year. For the judges of this year’s awards, Oscar Molaba, the founder of Batanidza Technologies, has demonstrated “exceptional leadership, innovation and impact” which landed him one of the headline awards at the ceremony held on after the first day of this year’s Sentech Africa Tech Week summit, held in Cape Town. Batanidza Technologies describes itself as a link between people, organisations and technology, offering innovative solutions such as AI software-testing and IT resource augmentation. The company has achieved rapid growth over the last six years driven by Oscar’s extensive experience in ICT consulting, business development, and strategic growth. “I founded Batanidza to create a consulting business where people felt seen, valued, and impactful. The journey has been anything but linear, but it’s been rich with purpose.” We found from Oscar what inspires him, what the biggest lesson in his career is, and more. Congratulations on winning the Tech Founder of the Year award. What does winning the award mean to you and your organisation? Winning this award is deeply meaningful, not just for me, but for everyone at Batanidza Technologies. It’s a powerful affirmation that purpose-driven leadership matters, and that building with heart, with people in mind, and with Ubuntu at the core, can lead to real success. This recognition is also a tribute to my team, most of whom are women, who have carried our vision forward with excellence, grace, and grit. For us, this award is not the finish line; it’s fuel for the road ahead. Read: The full list of winners from 2025 Africa Tech Awards Please tell us about your journey, how did you get to this point in your career? I started as a junior software tester nearly two decades ago. Back then, I was just eager to learn and earn my place in a fast-paced industry. Over the years, I climbed the ranks through roles in QA, project delivery, business development, and eventually strategic planning. But I always felt a disconnect in many environments, consultants were often treated like numbers. That discomfort became my drive. I founded Batanidza to create a consulting business where people felt seen, valued, and impactful. The journey has been anything but linear, but it’s been rich with purpose. What are the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in your journey and how have you been able to apply them? The biggest lesson? Success without people is empty. I’ve learned that culture eats strategy every day, if your people aren’t aligned with your purpose, no strategy will hold. I’ve also learned to trust timing; growth doesn’t always come as fast as we’d like, but consistency compounds. At Batanidza, we applied these lessons by building a culture that prioritizes inclusion, collaboration, and integrity. We don’t just hire skills, we hire values. That’s helped us scale sustainably and build a brand that people trust. What inspires you to do what you do? I’m inspired by the possibility of creating real, lasting change, especially in communities that have historically been left behind by the tech economy. Every project we deliver, every consultant we mentor, every job we create, it all contributes to something bigger than ourselves. Seeing someone grow into their potential because they were given an opportunity, that drives me. I believe that technology should be a tool for empowerment, and I wake up every day with a deep sense of purpose knowing that Batanidza is helping to build a more inclusive, more connected future for Africa. What do you believe are the major trends we should be looking out for in the next few years? The next few years will be shaped by AI integration, cloud-first strategies, and automated testing at scale, but beyond the tech, the bigger trend will be human-centered innovation. The companies that will lead are those that can blend emerging tech with empathy, ethics, and relevance to local needs. I also believe inclusive hiring and digital access in underserved communities will become not just moral imperatives, but competitive differentiators. The future is digital, yes, but it must also be deeply human.
South Africa’s business elite: This is your moment to shine
The 24th annual Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards returns on 31 July 2025 at the prestigious Sandton Convention Centre, celebrating the organisations driving real transformation, empowerment and inclusive economic growth in South Africa. With entries closing in just one week, this is your final opportunity to stand among the nation’s most powerful brands and visionary leaders. Join the icons of industry You’ll be in world-class company alongside sponsors such as Nedbank, The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and this year’s participants, including renowned names like Old Mutual, Nestlé, Sasol, Sanlam, Mondi Group, and Schneider Electric together with over 700 VIP delegates, ranging from C-suite executives to senior government stakeholders. The evening promises to be a celebration of impactful initiatives and transformative leadership. Past keynote speakers and Lifetime Achievement Award recipients have included President Cyril Ramaphosa, former President Thabo Mbeki, Mr Trevor Manuel, Dr Mathews Phosa, Dr Anna Mokgokong and Professor Thuli Madonsela, among other national icons making this a stage where legacy meets leadership. Why leading companies enter: Being named a winner or finalist at the Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards places your brand in a league of excellence – boosting investor confidence, attracting top-tier talent, and giving you marketing firepower that translates into long-term growth. Your win becomes a badge of honour, a powerful story of purpose, and a competitive edge in a fast-moving market. Your platform for national recognition Whether you’re a JSE-listed company, multinational enterprise, or one of South Africa’s Top 500 companies, this is your opportunity to take the spotlight and showcase your commitment to empowerment and transformation. Enter now before entries close. Click here to submit your entry. Questions? Contact: quarnita.jumat@topco.co.za
Creating waves of change for women in mining and transport: Young achiever of the year Nerissa Chegwidden
By Shumirai Chimombe “Where passion meets purpose – Success is inevitable” Nerissa Chegwidden lived up to her company’s name Sekunjalo (meaning ‘now is the time’) when she walked away with both the Top Empowered Fast Growth Black-Owned SMME of the Year, and the Young Achiever Award at the Top Empowerment Awards 2024. A qualified civil engineer with a deep passion for change through empowerment, Nerissa is the CEO of Sekunjalo Engineering Solutions Ltd which is a 100% women-owned and managed company specialising in project management, logistics, and commodity trading. The company has earned a formidable presence in the industry, and is driven by excellence and a vision to transform the industry to be more inclusive and representative of black women. “I always had a desire to change the opportunities that were available to women in our country. Being a civil engineer for 12 years in the field, I became accustomed to being one of very few, if not the only, woman on a construction site. This needed to change. The same scenario seemed to repeat itself in the mining and transport sectors, and finally, being able to make my own decisions and plans for Sekunjalo, I started to make the changes I wanted to see. It had to start somewhere.” The engineering sector opened a door into the mining and logistics space where Nerissa is one of very few black women who are successfully blazing a trail in this sector. She founded Sekunjalo Engineering Solutions in 2018 and started operations in August 2020 as a transport agency that offered transporters contracts for their vehicles. The coal transport industry is a male-dominated industry from transporters to mine owners, drivers and operators. Sekunjalo Engineering Solutions had a mandate from inception to transform this industry to be more inclusive and welcoming to black females. “The order of business was to create a company that was 100% female managed, so we employed female managers that shared this desire and passion for both the industry itself and its transformation.” Sekunjalo is now one of very few coal transport companies that have 100% female ownership and management. After five years of hard work and determination and seeing the growth of the company, she succeeded in entering the space as a transporter in her own right and purchased her own in-house fleet of side tippers. She did this while still maintaining the mandated fleet of vehicles that are solely managed by the company. The company is a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor with a regional coverage that includes South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Botswana and Namibia. “When we increased our fleet in 2024, we embarked on a targeted recruitment process to hire female side tipper drivers. This process proved to us that there was a lack of experienced female drivers available due to lack of opportunities. I employed the experienced drivers as lead drivers and the ones with no experience as trainee drivers…thereby skilling them and creating a small pool of female drivers that can be absorbed into the industry. Our driver component is now made up of 30% female drivers and we are striving to increase these stats.” Spreading the branches to reach and empower other women When Sekunjalo started expanding and purchasing its own vehicles, Nerissa realised that it was very hard to find networking opportunities for women, and she discovered that there were other women who were searching for the same thing. Experienced women were looking for like-minded individuals to network with, while the inexperienced were looking for organisations that could share knowledge on how to start and where to start. This inspired Nerissa to found Women in Transport South Africa (WITSA) to bring together women and share knowledge. The forum also aims to train more women to enter the mining and transport sector, from entrepreneurs to drivers and operators. “Knowledge is power and it’s power that many of the experienced women in this industry possess and are willing to share with each other in this forum.” WITSA also opens up opportunities for smaller companies to grow by coming together as a unit to be awarded contracts and orders for transport. Nerissa explains that there are many transporters that have one or two trucks and find it very hard to be awarded long term contracts. One of the aims of the organisation is to band together as a consortium of smaller transporters and target bigger contracts as Women in Transport. From the work of WITSA Nerissa further identified a need for trained female side tipper drivers. She is currently heading up the funding application and business case for the creation of a driving school for female side tipper drivers. The school, named She Drives, will train the drivers and offer experiential training as assistant drivers to various transport companies while paying them a stipend from the funding. After a year, the school will have produced a new cohort of female drivers who are experienced and ready for employment. Nerissa has come a long way since starting Sekunjalo Engineering Solutions as a new mum growing her business from home and hosting meetings in her dining room, to now moving into new office space in 2024 that will enable the company to continue to grow. “I’ve worked tirelessly to build a legacy and to create more opportunities for others to come in. I’m committed to breaking barriers so that one day, the next generation of female transporters, drivers or operators won’t have to work so hard to get a foot in this door. I am extremely proud of what we are achieving and still striving to achieve. Sekunjalo is now a well-known name in the industry for both our great performance as well as our women empowerment initiatives. The hard work and sacrifices are paying off. Our company has proven that women-owned and managed companies can stand head and shoulders with the rest – if not even taller.”
Entries close soon – Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards 2025
The countdown is on! The prestigious 24th annual Nedbank Oliver Top Empowerment Awards returns on 31 July 2025 at the Sandton Convention Centre, honouring South Africa’s trailblazers in transformation, diversity, and empowerment. With just days left to enter, organisations from all sectors are urged to submit their entries and gain national recognition on the country’s leading empowerment stage. As the Platinum Partner, Nedbank continues to champion inclusive economic growth by celebrating companies and individuals that are actively building a more equitable and transformed South Africa. The awards spotlight excellence in B-BBEE, leadership, innovation, and sustainable impact, offering a platform to share transformation success stories and inspire change across industries. Entries close soon! Enter now and secure your place among South Africa’s most empowered changemakers. Meet the 2024 winners here. Submit your entry by visiting this link. For more information on the awards and for assistance with your entry, please email quarnita.jumat@topco.co.za.
Building tomorrow at Sentech Africa Tech Week 2025
By Rehana Rutti Stepping into the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town a couple weeks ago felt like walking onto the set of the future. As both a judge and award presenter, I was immersed in an electrifying atmosphere of possibility—where every pitch, panel, and conversation underscored one truth: Africa isn’t waiting for the future; we’re creating it. A kaleidoscope of ideas Over two exhilarating days, the Century City Conference Centre transformed into a living lab of innovation. Engaging panel discussions explored green AI in agriculture, showcasing how machine-learning models predict drought cycles and optimise water use—saving both crops and communities. In another session, inclusive design took centre stage, with experts demonstrating apps that adapt interfaces for diverse languages, abilities, and internet speeds. Attendees experienced firsthand how these tools bridge digital access gaps and empower more equitable participation in the tech economy. Between sessions, the networking lounges hummed with energy. I swapped stories over coffee-fuelled conversations with visionary founders who’ve turned informal settlements into data-driven smart villages, and policy makers mapping out digital-equity roadmaps for the continent. Each conversation felt like adding a new brushstroke to Africa’s evolving tech masterpiece. Themes that sparked my imagination My takeaways as an AI enthusiast Looking ahead: Joining hands to shape tomorrow As I presented the Technology Company of the Year Award to XLink at the gala dinner—trophy in hand, heart full of hope—I couldn’t help but feel we’re on the cusp of something extraordinary. The future isn’t a distant horizon; it’s happening in real time, fuelled by passion, collaboration, and a shared belief that technology can—and must—be a force for good. Let’s carry this momentum forward: keep asking bold questions, designing with intention, and building bridges between innovators, communities, and decision-makers. Because when Africa leads with heart and vision, we aren’t just creating technology—we’re crafting a future that works for all of us. READ: The full list of Africa Tech Week Award winners
How to leverage winning or being a finalist for an award
By Koketso Mamabolo After tense waiting you got the news that you wanted: You won the award. You received your trophy, posed with your certificate or plaque; the champagne has been mopped up, the red carpet rolled back and the lights have stopped flashing. You did the work and got the recognition you deserve – what next? We’ve touched on why you should enter awards, the question becomes: What do you do now? How do you leverage winning an award? Not only can entering awards enhance your credibility and your image, give you exposure and motivate your staff but research has shown that winning awards can increase share value and revenue. We’ve touched previously on the fact that organisations which enter awards are more likely to be doing good, sustainable business. An award offers an opportunity to provide an example of what is possible and let potential customers and partners know where an organisation stands compared to competitors. READ: Find out more about why entering business excellence awards is good for business For that to happen, word needs to get out there and while organisations behind business excellence awards will have marketing campaigns before and after winners are announced there are things finalists and winners can do to leverage the opportunity themselves. You’ve achieved something and the world deserves to know, so here’s how to tell everyone about it. Social media Social media platforms are the go-to place for people to share good news and bring with them the benefit of engagement and opportunities to interact with your network. Share, comment and like the posts announcing winners and then make your post. Tag the organisation behind the awards, your organisation, people who walked the journey with. For added engagement include pictures, videos, find out what the hashtags for the awards are. You could also write an article about the experience on your LinkedIn page, sharing insights to network. Press release Why don’t you send out a press release to media houses and get some press coverage? You can share what it took for you to win the award or be chosen as a finalist and open up opportunities for more press coverage in the future. Internal celebration Big or small, tell everyone in your organisation about the achievement. It can be at a meeting, in an email – you can even host a little (or big) celebration to give everyone a chance to reflect on the milestone, which will be great for morale. Update your company profile “Award-winning” or “Finalist” will look great in your company profile, on your website and social media bios. It shows people that you are credible, recognised by a third party and is a great addition to press kits. Some business excellence awards offer post-event collateral such as winners badges which can brighten up your email signature – use them. Don’t be shy! Advertising and marketing Placing ads is a great way to spread the word and show how proud you are of the achievement. Whether it be an ad in a newspaper or magazine, on a website, or on social media, you can increase visibility by tailoring your marketing strategy to your market and attract new business. As the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, reminded guests at the recent Africa Tech Awards held in Cape Town, it is important to recognise the people advancing society. As an award winner you are setting the standard and putting the work to do good business. Now people need to know about it. READ: The full list of winners at the 2025 Africa Tech Awards Sources: e-channel news | Big Ideas | Brunel University | Wiley |
Organisations big and small celebrated at the 7th annual Africa Tech Week Awards
On the evening of 3 June 2025 we celebrated excellence in tech at the 7th annual Africa Tech Week Awards. The awards were opened with a keynote address delivered by Hon. Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, who reminded us of the importance of celebrating achievements, especially when it comes to people and businesses advancing technology in South Africa and the wider continent. The black-tie event took place on the first evening of the 2-day Sentech Africa Tech Week conference hosted by comedian Alan Committee, where guests were treated to dinner and a show. We congratulate the finalists and winners in the organisational and individual categories: Organisational Awards: AFRICA TECH: START–UP AWARD Sponsored by Sentech Winner: LEMI App AFRICA TECH: FINTECH AWARD Winner: Wonga Online AFRICA TECH: TECH IMPACT AWARD Sponsored by City of Cape Town WInner: Old Mutual AFRICA TECH: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AWARD Winner: Etapath AFRICA TECH: PUBLIC SECTOR DIGITAL INNOVATOR AWARD Winner: MMT Inland (Mint Group) AFRICA TECH: TECHNOLOGY COMPANY OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: XLink AFRICA TECH: SECURITY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY AWARD Winner: PaySolutions AFRICA TECH: EDTECH AWARD Winner: WeThinkCode_ AFRICA TECH: AI INNOVATION AWARD Sponsored by iME Winner: LexisNexis AFRICA TECH: HEALTHTECH AWARD Winner: AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals Individual Awards: AFRICA TECH: WOMEN IN TECH AWARD Winner: Xoliswa Kakana – ICT Works AFRICA TECH: LEADER OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Trishen Moodley – MAST SERVICES (PTY) LTD AFRICA TECH: TECH FOUNDER OF THE YEAR AWARD Winner: Oscar Molaba – Batanidza Technologies For more information on the Africa Tech Week please email marketing@africatechweek.co.za. To enter the 2026 awards please contact quarnita.jumat@topco.co.za. Visit our LinkedIn page for more on Africa Tech Week and to congratulate our winners.