Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa crowned at the 16th Oliver Top Empowerment Awards

Last week, esteemed leaders from some of South Africa's biggest companies, along with prominent government figures, turned up in their most elegant evening gowns and distinguished suits for the 16th Oliver Top Empowerment Awards, hosted at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Johannesburg.

Issued by Topco Media

4 Apr 2017

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa crowned at the 16th Oliver Top Empowerment Awards

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The evening carried a sense of celebration yet, also, food for thought. Keynote speaker Dr Mathews Phosa's heartfelt speech on former President Nelson Mandela's vision of nation-building will be long remembered by all present.

“If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named 'Goodness and Forgiveness' I want to say to you the young people here, the next generation, our future: be proud of who you are; take a leaf from Madiba's book and be fulfilled with who you are,” Phosa said.

Then it was on to the eagerly awaited award handovers; with well-known entertainer Soli Philander leading proceedings as charismatic Master of Ceremonies. Volkswagen SA took home the Socio-Economic Development award, while entrepreneurial Brodwen Koen, from Koen & Associates Architecture, won the Top Empowered: Young Achiever (under 40 years) Award. The honorary Lifetime Achiever of the Year was announced as Cyril Ramaphosa, while the Public Service Award (sponsored by Arms Audit) went to the South African Civil Aviation Authority. It was Travel with Flair, though, which took the evening's most high-profile accolade: Business of the Year, a Nedbank- sponsored award.

The 2017 Top Empowerment Awards once again underscored the importance of sustainable economic transformation in bringing substance, and measurable progress, to the cherished vision of Mandela.

Full list of the 2017 Oliver Top Empowerment Award Winners:

Fast Growth Black-Owned SMME Award	Calvin and Family Group
Top Empowered Diversity Award	Isilumko Staffing
Top Empowered Skills Development Award	Digital Generation
Top Empowered Enterprise & Supplier Development Award	Multichoice South Africa Holdings
Top Empowered Socioeconomic Development Award	Volkswagen South Africa
Top Empowered Public Service Award - Sponsored by Arms Audit	South African Civil Aviation Authority
Top Empowered Job Creation Award	Isilumko Staffing
Top Empowered Entrepreneur of 2017 Award	Connie Mdladla - Khaas Logistics
Top Empowered Public Service Leader of the Year Award - Sponsored by Public Sector Manager	Mothobi Edward Mothobi - North West Parks Board
Top Empowered Young Achiever under 40 years Award	Brodwen Koen - Koen & Associates Architecture
Top Empowered: Business Leader of the Year Award	Khalid Abdulla - African Equity Empowerment Investments
Top Empowered Business of the Year Award - Sponsored by Nedbank	Travel with Flair
Lifetime Achievement Award	Deputy President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa
Honorary Award: Legends of Empowerment	Bidvest Group, Aspen, South African Breweries, Vodacom, Nedbank, Old Mutual, Life Assurance, Liberty Holdings, Alexander Forbes Group Holdings, MMI Holdings, Basil Read, Group Five

Topco Media

Topco Media is one of South Africa's leading business-to-business media houses, producing high profile, relevant conferences and awards. Our conferences include Africa Tech Week, Standard Bank Top Women, Top Empowerment, Future of HR, National Business Awards and Future of Sustainability. We also produce authoritative and informative business and investment publications such as Top 500, Top Empowerment, Nelson Mandela 100 years to name a few.