This award is bestowed upon a new BBBEE business arena entrant whose new enterprise has demonstrated exceptional progress in the following areas in the past 18 months:

• More than 50% black ownership.
• Entrepreneurial skill and flair.
• Profitability (achieving a minimum of break-even or profit, with a turnover of less than R500 000 per annum).
• Job creation (must be a job creating entity).
• Corporate social investment initiatives.
• Uniqueness and innovation, as well as industry thought leadership.
• Perseverance, endurance, and accountability.
• Catalyst for economic development and growth through projects and enterprises.

Businesswoman of the Year Award

This award is bestowed upon a candidate who is a majority owner, partner, or major shareholder providing active day-to-day management for a for-profit business and will be judged in the following areas:

• The candidate must have demonstrated original entrepreneurship and leadership evidenced by diversification, creativity, and imagination in the development of new products, services, and markets.
• The candidate and her business must have been established locally for at least three (3) years.
• During that time, the company will have demonstrated profitable growth in sales or unit volume and the creation of new jobs.
• The candidate and her company will also have demonstrated staying power and a positive response to adversity in a changing business environment.
• The candidate and her company will have demonstrated community involvement and commitment to specific community projects, including any active participation as a trade council member or industry chamber.
• The conduct of the company must be above reproach with regard to ethics, quality, service, and the development of its human resources. It must project a positive brand image.

Young Business Achiever Award

This award celebrates the young entrepreneurs of today who are doing the business of tomorrow. This award is presented to the entrepreneur doing business in a new, cutting-edge arena (21st century-driven industry with a sound business model a must). Only those aged 21 to 35 as of the award submission deadline are eligible for the award.

• Young, dynamic, innovative businessperson.
• Excellent track record in the last two years in industry or commerce.
• Exceptional entrepreneurial skill and flair.
• Exceptional leadership and commitment.
• Believes in empowerment and being a role model for the youth.

Community Builder of the Year Award

This award recognises an entrepreneur who, via their business, has demonstrated a commitment to community development through innovation, creativity, integrity, proven record of achievement, involvement, leadership, perseverance, and endurance, and will be judged on the following:

• The nominated entrepreneur must have a minimum of three years of active involvement in community building.
  • Must show commitment to community development through the improvement of the quality of life in communities in one of the following areas: education; health; sport and recreation; environment; job creation; skills development; and crime prevention.
  • Inspiration and encouragement of others to follow the example in community building.
  • Demonstrated involvement in grooming and mentoring in their areas of expertise.
  • Active leadership in his or her community.
  • Positive contribution to such areas as human rights, multiculturalism, and community-building.

Businessman of the Year Award

This award is bestowed upon a candidate who is a majority owner, partner, or major shareholder providing active day-to-day management for a for-profit business, and will be judged in the following areas:

• The candidate must have demonstrated original entrepreneurship and leadership evidenced by diversification, creativity, and imagination in the development of new products, services, and markets.
• The candidate and his business must have been established locally for at least three (3) years.
• During that time, the company will have demonstrated profitable growth in sales or unit volume and the creation of new jobs.
• The candidate and his company will also have demonstrated staying power and a positive response to adversity in a changing business environment.
• The candidate and his company will have demonstrated community involvement and commitment to specific community projects, including any active participation as a trade council member or industry chamber.
• The conduct of the company must be above reproach with regard to ethics, quality, service, and the development of its human resources. It must project a positive brand image.

Selection criteria for organisations

Best Established Black Business Award

For an organisation that is a role model in the following areas:

• Must have an annual turnover of more than R35 million.
• Must be more than 50% black owned.
• Must have been operational for at least three (3) years, be profitable, have an established client base/service, and contribute towards overall transformation in all spheres of the company structure.
• Must clearly demonstrate its contribution to the skills development of its employees.
• Must show active involvement of black participants in executive decision-making.
• Must show how the company has contributed towards enterprise development.
• Must demonstrate its involvement in socio-economic development initiatives, projects or programmes.
• Must demonstrate its contribution to the skills development of its employees.
• Must stand out from other businesses in its ability to implement a sound vision for the future.
• Must utilise business practices that empower staff and communities.
• Adherence to good corporate governance and leadership is vital.
• Must demonstrate leadership in transformation.

New and Innovative Business Award

For a business established in the last 36 months and judged on the following:

• Must have an annual turnover of less than R5 million.
• Must be more than 50% black owned.
• Must have been operational for at least one and a half years and be profitable with an established client base.
• Must show a commitment to innovation and technological advancement through the development of a product or service. If the service is copyrighted or patented, the nominee will need to hold the patent or copyright on the product or service.
• Companies operating within a competitive industry and who demonstrate factors of sustainable economic growth and development will have an advantage. Innovation in a relatively unknown or untapped industry would greatly boost the possibility of winning.
• Adherence to good corporate governance and leadership is vital.

Transformation Champion Award

Bestowed on organisations that are passionately and actively committed to the meaningful and sustainable economic transformation of South Africa and have displayed this through:

• Improved levels of transformation in ownership and management of the organisation
• A proven employment equity strategy and figures reflecting a concerted effort to achieve real transformation and not merely compliance
• The development and roll-out of specialised PDI empowerment and development programmes designed to accelerate organisational leadership transformation, with an emphasis on women, youth, and people with disabilities.

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Disability Empowerment Award

This award recognises companies who have demonstrated exemplary policies, strategies, and initiatives that have yielded measurable results in the areas of disability inclusiveness in the workplace, marketplace, and supply chain.

Digital Transformation

The ability to digitally reimaging the business is determined in large part by a clear digital strategy supported by leaders who foster a culture which is able to change and invent the new. While these insights are consistent with prior technological revolutions, what is unique to digital transformation is that risk taking is becoming a cultural norm as more digitally-advanced companies seek new levels of com­petitive advantage. Equally important, employees across all age groups want to work for businesses that are deeply committed to digital progress. Company leaders need to bear this in mind in order to attract and retain the best talent.