The Businesswomen’s Association of South Africa (BWASA) is the largest and most prominent association of business and professional women in the country. This year’s Regional Business Achievers
Awards focused on ensuring women hone into their power and harnesses it to benefit their businesses and community around them. The awards ceremonies, attended by business women, business leaders and government dignitaries, shone the light on women playing executive roles, management and leadership roles across varied sectors.

2016 Durban Regional Business Achiever Awards Winners

The awards in five categories were announced at a glitzy gala dinner held at the Durban ICC on Friday 29th July. The keynote speaker at the event was Hixonia Nyasulu.

Samantha Worthington, head of Customer Lock In at The Unlimited won the corporate category. “It was the most unforgettable evening, and I must express my heartfelt gratitude to BWA for this experience. It as
incredible!” shared Worthington of her excitement in receiving her award.

Stella Khumalo, chief executive officer at uShaka Marine World, claimed the government category.  Dr Raeesa Aboobaker, owner of Dr Bakers Weight Loss & Health Clinic won in the emerging entrepreneur
category.

Patricia Moodley, owner of GlobaCon, and Carla Geyser, founder and trustee manager of Blue Sky Society Trust, secured the entrepreneur and social entrepreneur categories respectively.  Moodley said, â€œI want to take a moment to extend my most sincere gratitude that I was selected as the recipient of the entrepreneur award 2016. Thank you so much to BWASA Durban for bringing me one step closer in fulfilling my business goals of increasing GlobaCon’s footprint in the market.”

The BWASA Honorary Award went to NPC Intercement. The company recently partnered with BWASA Durban to host a skills development programme for the women in the company. Mpume Langa, chairperson for the BWASA Durban branch shared, “It’s important that we acknowledge companies that are willing to be bold and are making a concerted effort towards empowering the women in their teams to embrace and step into their power.”

BWASA Durban had the privilege of honouring vice president of Human Resources at for Unilever Africa, Antoinette Irvine, with a BWASA Patron Award. Antoinette has supported both branch and national efforts through channeled sponsorship, active engagement on panel discussions and as a meaningful contributor to the BWASA’s efforts to drive the gender empowerment dialogue.

2016 Zululand Regional Business Achiever Awards Winners

Zululand held an awesome event at the Umfolozi Conference Centre in Empangeni on Thursday 21 July 2016. It was a night of empowering speeches and even more empowering women! Keynote speaker was Nosipho Damasane, who until recently was the chief executive officer at Richards Bay Coal Terminal.

Andile Mtshali, a conveyancing lawyer from Kloppers Inc, won in the professional category.  Panaso Ndlela, Transnet Port Terminal manager, claimed the corporate category. Phumzile Lembede, owner of Emvelo  Environmental Consultants, took home the emerging entrepreneur category.