VIP guests, entrepreneurs and executives joined the Southern Africa finalist announcements, as the nominees went head to head in their respective categories.
The AABLA™ in partnership with CNBC Africa, honour remarkable leadership and salute game changers of business on the continent for their continuing commitment to excellence, developing best practices and innovative strategies.
The team of judges led by Sam Bhembe, CNBC Africa Non-Executive Director, evaluated hundreds of applications, narrowing them down to the finalists listed below.
Business Leader of the Year
- Mr Alex Okosi, Executive Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa (South Africa)
- Mr Peter Mountford, CEO of Super Group (South Africa)
- Mr Norbert Sasse, Group CEO, Growth Point Properties Ltd (South Africa)
- Dr Thomson Mpinganjira, Group CEO, FDH Bank Ltd (Malawi)
Business Woman of the Year
- Dr Divine Simbi-Ndhlukula, Founder and Managing Director, SECURICO Security Services (Zimbabwe)
- Ms Nomkhita Nqweni, ABSA Chief Executive: Wealth, Investment Management and Insurance (South Africa)
- Ms Magda Wierzycka , Group CEO, Sygnia (South Africa)
- Ms Catherine Lesetedi-Letegele, Group CEO, Botswana Insurance Holding Limited (Botswana)
Young Business Leader of the Year (Presented by Lancaster University)
- Mr Yusuf Randera-Rees, Co-Founder and CEO, The Awethu Project (South Africa)
- Ms Vuyiswa Mutshekwane, CEO, South African Institute of Black Property Practitioners (South Africa)
- Ms Natalie Jabangwe, CEO, ECO Cash Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Company of the Year (Presented by Hollard)
- Sygnia Group (South Africa)
- Super Group (South Africa)
- Standard Bank Group (South Africa)
- Growth Point Properties Ltd (South Africa)
Entrepreneur of the Year
- Mr Thembalihle Baloyi, Founder and Executive Director, Discovery Insure (South Africa)
- Mr Collen Tapfumaneyi, Founder and Group CEO, El Escrow Internacional (Zimbabwe)
- Dr Thomson Mpinganjira, Group CEO, FDH Bank (Malawi)
Industrialist of the Year (Presented by IDC)
- Mr Quinton Uren, Managing Director, Jendamark Automation Pty Ltd (South Africa)
- Mr Andre de Ruyter, CEO, Nampak (South Africa)
- Ms Nana Sabelo, CEO and Executive Chairperson, Thata uBeke Manufacturing Pty Ltd (South Africa)
- Ms Nneile Nkholise, Founder, Likoebe Innovation Consultants (South Africa)
Innovator of the Year
- Mr James Paterson, Co-Founder and CEO, Aerobotics (South Africa)
- Mr Grant Gibbs, Executive Director, Hippo Roller (South Africa)
- Mr Thembalihle Baloyi, Founder and Executive Director, Discovery Insure (South Africa)
- Mr Courtney Bentley, CEO, Vizibiliti Insight Africa (South Africa)
Philanthropist of the Year
- Sir Donald Gordon, Founder, Liberty Holdings (South Africa)
Finalists from all corners of the continent will meet at the AABLA Grand Finale to crown the All Africa winners at an exclusive gala dinner in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 29 November 2018.
Completing the list of judges working with Mr Bhembe are Mr Lee Naik, CEO of TransUnion Africa; Mr Jonathan Foster-Pedley, Dean and Director of Henley Business School Africa; Ms Anthea Gardner, CEO of Cartesian Capital; Ms Monique Vanek, CNBC Africa News Editor; Mr Bonang Mohale, CEO of Business Leadership South Africa; and Dr Snowy Khoza, Executive Chairperson of Bigen Africa.
For more information visit www.aablawards.com and follow the 8th All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA™) in partnership with CNBC Africa on Twitter: @aablawards and #AABLA2018. The event is proudly produced by ABN Event Productions.