The African Access National Business Awards, held on 23 June, honoured resources company Kumba Iron Ore as the winner of the Top Performing Company of the Year category at a 500-strong audience at the Sandton Convention Centre which included business leaders, government figures and media personalities.
Accepting the award on behalf of Kumba Iron Ore, CEO Chris Griffith praised the award, saying that external recognition is highly prized as it provides independent confirmation that the company’s strategies are appropriate and postion Kumba Iron Ore for sustained success in challenging business conditions.
“Kumba is driven not only by the business imperative of making profit, but a wider vision of responsible stewardship of the natural resources we mine with proper regard for the communities impacted by our operations,” he said, adding that the award is tangible indication that the company continues to make measurable progress toward its goal of using best practice to deliver the best possible value to the business and its stakeholders, while striving for the best societal and environmental outcome.
Other top performers
20 category winners were highlighted as the best in local business, with three individual achievers: Brett Levy of Blue Label Telecoms was named Top Performing Entrepreneur of the Year, Top Performing Businesswoman of the Year was awarded to Carol Weaving of Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group and Andrew Mills of Boxer Superstores secured Top Performing Businessman of the Year.
According to CEO the event’s sponsor, Shaun Battlemann of African Access Holdings, the African Access National Business Awards have made a strong statement by putting the awards spotlight on business sustainability and the need to make a contribution to all stakeholders and society at large while bolstering the bottom line.
Ralf Fletcher, CEO of Topco Media, publishers of South Africa’s Top Performing Companies and the driving force behind the awards programme pointed out that the awards are not only about winning; they’re also about striving. “I’m proud to acknowledge the contribution of everyone who made the final shortlist,” he said. “This is the most fiercely contested awards programme in South African business. Getting into this company is an achievement in itself. Carry on striving, carry on competing and you’ll carry on to even greater things.”