16 finalists for BWA achiever awards named
THE Businesswomen’s Association of Port Elizabeth (BWA) has announced 16 finalists for its 2017 Investec Regional Business Achiever Awards.
Celebrated businesswoman, producer and personality Basetsana Kumalo will be the guest speaker when the award winners are announced next month.
The awards acknowledge the economic and social contribution of women entrepreneurs and professionals in the region.
Attracting entrants from as far afield as the Garden Route, Graaff-Reinet and Grahamstown, the awards recognise achievers in six categories – Emerging Entrepreneur, Entrepreneur, Social Entrepreneur, Corporate, Professional and Government categories.
Entrants are not necessarily members of the BWA.
In congratulating the finalists, BWA PE chairwoman Michelle Brown said the recognition initiative was unique in that it acknowledged and recognised the work done by local businesswomen.
“Each year we are amazed at the calibre of the nominations and, in particular, the eventual category finalists – who are all already winners in their own right,” she said.
“The businesswomen in our region have incredible journeys in building their careers, which serve to inspire us all as a community of businesswomen.”
The award winners will be announced at a gala dinner to be held at the Boardwalk International Convention Centre on Tuesday June 13.
An independent panel of judges, made up of a broad cross-section of leaders in business, government and civil society, will interview and select a winner in each category.
The finalists in their respective categories are:
Emerging Entrepreneur: Zanele Diniso – Periwinkle Home Executive; Sandisiwe Kiti – Mayihlome Human Capital Solutions; Kelly Ferreira – Khula Kids Playschool and Homework House.
Entrepreneur: Sarah Will – Bliss Hair Design; Riana Ferreira – Collect-a-Debt; Helen Mentzel – Profiles Health Club. Social Entrepreneur: Nozibele Qamngana – Ubuntu Education Fund; Michelle van Huyssteen – Reach for a Dream Foundation; Glenda Brunette – Walmer Angel Project.
Professional: Cindy Jonker – Goldberg & De Villiers; Angela Pattinson – Healing Hands PE.
Corporate: Loudeaux Minnie – AW Events; Shandre Main – The Kelway Hotel; Nomhle “Chinese” Tys – Royal Haskoning DHV (Pty) Ltd.
Government: Siobhan Day – Collegiate Junior School for Girls; Annette Lovemore – Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
For further information contact Samantha Bowers at the BWA PE office: e-mail pe@bwasa.co.za, or go to the BWAPE Facebook page.