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The Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Awards 2021 were held on the 10 June 2021 at a hybrid event hosted at the ONOMO Hotel, Durban. The annual awards, now in their fifteenth year, celebrate business excellence in KwaZulu-Natal. As business plays a crucial role in the growth of Africa, Standard Bank has been the proud sponsor of this event for several years. Imraan Noorbhai, Standard Bank Head Consumer Client Coverage, KwaZuluNatal emphasised the bank’s commitment to growing the economy. He said, “At Standard Bank our purpose is defined by ‘Africa is our home we drive her growth’. We aim to make life better for our fellow Africans by doing the right business the right way, contributing to the financial wellbeing of our clients, and supporting sustainable and job creating growth of the economies in which we operate.” ‘It Can Be’ is Standard Bank’s promise of hope, change and optimism. Keynote speaker Dr Ahmed Shaikh, managing director of the Durban-based REGENT Business School, thought-provoking address focused on innovation and stressed the need for South African businesses to be anti-fragile when it comes to major shocks to the global economy. The Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Awards recognise companies and organisations that integrate responsible business practice into their operations, resulting in a positive impact on the economy, community, and workplace, creating a better life for all in KZN. The 2021 event included a number of new categories that reflect the challenges businesses are currently facing. The judges had an enormous task assessing the entries and obtained much insight into the business heart of KwaZulu-Natal in the stories of success that were shared. The arithmetical accuracy of the judges’ votes was checked by PKF Durban. The category winners are: · Business Innovation: Imperial Armour · Entrepreneur Resilience: Sihle Ndlela and Simphiwe Majozi · Digital/System Implementation: Plennegy (Pty) Ltd · Employee Wellbeing: MCS Debt Recovery · Small Business Start-up: Seventeen87 Wine Cellar · Community and Social Responsibility: Toyota South Africa Motors {Pty) Ltd · Family Business: Hirsch’s · Business Personality: Ashok Sewnarain · Top Brand: Hollywoodbets Hameed Noormahomed, Standard Bank Head Business Client Coverage, KwaZulu-Natal said, “We thank all businesses for their agility and resilience in forging ahead under these challenging times to stimulate and grow our economy.” To ensure compliance with Covid-19 protocols only the winners in each category were able to attend the inaugural hybrid event to receive their awards in person. South African sports presenter Thato Moeng, together with well-known Durbanite Logie Naidoo, engaged both the in-studio audience and those watching online in style. CEO of KZN Top Business Grant Adlam said, “Congratulations to all participants. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Standard Bank and all those who helped us make this event a success. It was a privilege to work with an amazing group of individuals to produce our first-ever hybrid awards ceremony. Thanks also to Woodford Car Hire, for chauffeuring the winners to and from the venue, and to our media partners East Coast Radio and The Mercury.”

This category was open to businesses where the majority ownership remains within a family (or multifamily) structure, and where more than one generation contributes to the success of the business. The winner is: HIRSCH’S Hirsch’s have been operating in KwaZulu-Natal for the last 42 years and have become a household name. Hirsch’s started off small in 1979 with just R900 saved by Allan and Margaret. Today they are the largest independently owned electronics and appliance retail outlet in southern Africa with a turnover well over the billion rand mark. The chain of mega appliance and home furnishing stores are located in KwaZulu-Natal, the Cape and Gauteng. The whole family is involved in the day-to-day business operations. Allan is the founder and chairman, Margaret is the executive director, Richard is the CEO and Luci is the voice of Hirsch’s and the brand manager. As a family, the Hirsch’s form a formidable force supported by their management team who have a strong commitment to the same goals. Hirsch’s are not simply a family owned business, but they have watched the families that shop with them grow. Today Grandparents, who shopped at Hirsch’s when they were in their teens, still shop with them – alongside their own children and grandchildren. The finalists are: · The Ramsi Group · Beekman Group

Ashok Sewnarain is the founder and chairman of International Bank Vaults (IBV), the first and most sophisticated, privately owned safe deposit vaults in South Africa. Sewnarain was born in Mayville, Durban and his father ran a small, often struggling, estate agency. When Sewnarain took over the family business, he expanded into the hotel and hospitality sectors. In May 2005, Sewnarain opened the first private vault in Umhlanga’s Gateway Mall. Since then, IBV has grown exponentially and operates branches globally in London, Switzerland, and Dubai. The vaults are built to international standards and specifications, complete with steel-reinforced concrete and protected by a sophisticated, multitiered security system. Sewnarain subscribes to the philosophy that says one should persevere and be determined to pursue one’s dreams in whatever business chosen. He says, “Business is full of risk and challenges that we must confront on a daily basis.” He added that over the years, he had experienced many failures in his business career, but all of these had made him more knowledgeable and humbler. However, Sewnarain says, “You must be bold and have courage to launch business ventures with honesty and respect for staff, customers, suppliers and service providers. Life is about dreaming big. Dream to make a million dollars, rather than a million rand. The most successful people in the world dream big. It’s free. It has no boundaries and borders.” Sewnarain strives to create a balance between good business and profit through providing community and social support. This balance is achieved by promoting a spirit of social entrepreneurship, which he believes is an important aspect that every business leader should adopt in their own enterprises. He concluded, “The more that you give the more that you get.”

This award is open to businesses or social enterprises that have made a significant positive impact on the community in KZN. The winner is: TOYOTA SOUTH AFRICA MOTORS Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) commits time and resources to developing all South Africans by empowering and uplifting local communities through impactful and measurable social programmes. The corporate social responsibility programme has four pillars, namely education; road safety; civic and community service; and health and human service. TSAM continues to affirm its fight against the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa, and has supported the KwaZulu-Natal communities, Department of Health as well as the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Toyota has pledged R15 million to provide Covid-19 testing equipment, hospital facility support, transport for contact tracing and face shields, and sanitisers in the KZN region. TSAM refurbished and upgraded the pharmacy at Clairwood Hospital in Mobeni – to support Covid-19 cases. By supporting the infrastructure development at the hospital it has enabled the efficient utilisation of the beds and improved the level of health care. The ToyotaReach programme expanded its scope of involvement to enable access to remote areas. TSAM sponsored 10 Hilux 2.4 SRX 4×4 Double Cabs for nine months with the expressed purpose of helping health workers reach the inaccessible areas. 1 500 food parcels (each containing groceries to sustain a family of four for a month) were distributed to communities around the Prospecton Plant in Durban. TSAM supported more than 270 schools in KwaZulu-NataL from disadvantaged townships, informal settlements and the Ngonyameni with readiness packs – including face shields for all the educators, sanitizers, educational posters and IR Thermometers. For our campaign called Safe to School Safe to prior to the re-opening of schools in early June 2020, TSAM assisted operators and drivers of learner transports with sanitisers, decanting bottles and shared some educational pamphlets pertaining COVID-19 prevention protocols. The finalists are: Ithala SOC Limited Boxer SLG Pty Ltd Tronox #KZNbusinesssense #kzntopbusiness

This award is aimed at young business leaders who have shown exceptional leadership and exhibited entrepreneurial flair. The winners are: SIHLE NDLELA AND SIMPHIWE MAJOZI Sihle Ndlela and Simphiwe Majozi, the co-founders of Majozi Bros Construction, started out renovating houses in the townships of KwaZulu-Natal. Now Majozi Bros Construction builds houses in upmarket estates like Cotswold Downs and Zimbali and is involved in multimillion developments with construction giant WBHO. “Covid has taught the importance of having a business model that is responsive to change. Our journey is proof that you can’t control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to it and that dreams are real,” says Ndlela. The finalists are: · Dr Fareed Amod (Crown Dental Studio) · Njabulo Maphumulo (Borderless Investment Group Pty Ltd)

This award recognises startup businesses that have translated an idea into a successful business venture especially given the circumstances of 2020. The winner is: SEVENTEEN87 WINE CELLAR The Seventeen87 Wine Cellar is a project of Enterprise iLembe with the objective of creating a top class tourism experience for guests and visitors to the region. The Seventeen87 Wine Cellar is a truly unique experience in KwaZulu-Natal and one of a kind on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Seventeen87 Wine Cellar has has collaborated with other wine farms in KwaZulu-Natal such as Cathedral Peak Wine Estate, based in the Drakensberg, this allows customers to experience as many different wines as possible. Partnerships such as these assist in making the Seventeen87 Wine Cellar the home of KwaZulu-Natal wines. The finalists are: Tag Your Delivery Borderless Investment Group (Pty) Ltd #KZNbusinesssense #kzntopbusiness

The winners in each category received a unique artwork that was created by Musa E Zulu, creative director of his company, Valhalla Arts. After achieving an Honours degree in Sociology at the University of Natal (1993), Zulu lectured in the Faculty of Humanities before moving to the corporate world as human resources manager. Zulu was fast climbing the career ladder when his life took unexpected turn. In 1995, when he was 23 years old, following injuries resulting from a car accident, Zulu became paralysed and wheelchair bound. Consequently, he found himself faced with one of the hardest challenges that life can bring – disability. However, through applying his personal philosophy of embracing change, Zulu not only found a way to cope with his new life, but to inspire others as well. He is now a published author, an award-winning entrepreneur, international artist, celebrated motivational speaker and prominent disability activist in South Africa. Zulu is the author of four books: ‘The Language of Me’ (UKZN Press; 2004), ‘Wheels on the Soul of my Shoes’ (Nutrend Publishers; 2008), ‘Tributes: The Story’ (Valhalla Arts; 2012) and ‘Mastering the art of self-motivation: Tapping the Inner You!’ (Valhalla Arts; 2017). Zulu launched his latest book titled ‘I AM ART: The 40th Anniversary Essay’ in KwaZulu- Natal on 20 April 2021. This book celebrates the four decades (1979 - 2019) in which he has lived as an artist, together with reflecting on the 25 years (1995 - 2020) that he has spent in his wheelchair. In commenting on his involvement in the Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Awards 2021, Zulu said: “I would like to congratulate and thank all the finalists for allowing me the pleasure to interpret their life and work achievements in the best way I ever could – in my art. This precious artistic endeavour was made much more enjoyable, and quite informative, by the grand magnitude of the people and institutions I was tasked to reflect upon. These 15 original Valhalla Arts Red Label pieces are my personal reflections on the milestones that each of these dynamic winners has reached in their efforts that have undoubtedly shaped our changing times and spaces in so many impactful ways. Winners inspire all of us to lift our standards even higher with each new day that comes to pass. This is my tribute to your noted excellence.” For more information contact: Cell: 083 3488 729 Website: www.valhallaarts.co.za

This award is for businesses that go the extra mile to engage their staff members and the difference this makes to the business. This may be through in-house training, flexible working, personal development, workplace wellbeing activity and teambuilding. The winner is: MCS DEBT RECOVERY MCS Debt Recovery’s success has been based on treating its staff as assets, consequently the company has a highly productive workforce. Motivating staff in the call centre environment is of prime concern and MCS Debt Recovery retains staff by offering good incentives and delivers on what is promised. On winning the award, Saskia Hill, chief executive officer at MCS Debt Recovery said, ‘Thank you so much for this amazing award. We are super excited. The biggest thanks has to go to our staff who made this possible, we are so grateful.” The finalists are: · Imperial Armour · Capitol Caterers · Toyota South Africa Motors

This award is open to businesses or social enterprises that have made a significant positive impact on the community in KZN. The winner is: TOYOTA SOUTH AFRICA MOTORS Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) commits time and resources to developing all South Africans by empowering and uplifting local communities through impactful and measurable social programmes. The corporate social responsibility programme has four pillars, namely education; road safety; civic and community service; and health and human service. TSAM continues to affirm its fight against the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa, and has supported the KwaZulu-Natal communities, Department of Health as well as the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. Toyota has pledged R15 million to provide Covid-19 testing equipment, hospital facility support, transport for contact tracing and face shields, and sanitisers in the KZN region. TSAM refurbished and upgraded the pharmacy at Clairwood Hospital in Mobeni – to support Covid-19 cases. By supporting the infrastructure development at the hospital it has enabled the efficient utilisation of the beds and improved the level of health care. The ToyotaReach programme expanded its scope of involvement to enable access to remote areas. TSAM sponsored 10 Hilux 2.4 SRX 4x4 Double Cabs for nine months with the expressed purpose of helping health workers reach the inaccessible areas. 1 500 food parcels (each containing groceries to sustain a family of four for a month) were distributed to communities around the Prospecton Plant in Durban. TSAM supported more than 270 schools in KwaZulu-NataL from disadvantaged townships, informal settlements and the Ngonyameni with readiness packs – including face shields for all the educators, sanitizers, educational posters and IR Thermometers. For our campaign called Safe to School Safe to prior to the re-opening of schools in early June 2020, TSAM assisted operators and drivers of learner transports with sanitisers, decanting bottles and shared some educational pamphlets pertaining COVID-19 prevention protocols. The finalists are: · Ithala SOC Limited · Boxer · SLG Pty Ltd Tronox

This award recognises startup businesses that have translated an idea into a successful business venture especially given the circumstances of 2020. The winner is: SEVENTEEN87 WINE CELLAR The Seventeen87 Wine Cellar is a project of Enterprise iLembe with the objective of creating a top class tourism experience for guests and visitors to the region. The Seventeen87 Wine Cellar is a truly unique experience in KwaZulu-Natal and one of a kind on the north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Seventeen87 Wine Cellar has has collaborated with other wine farms in KwaZulu-Natal such as Cathedral Peak Wine Estate, based in the Drakensberg, this allows customers to experience as many different wines as possible. Partnerships such as these assist in making the Seventeen87 Wine Cellar the home of KwaZulu-Natal wines. The finalists are: · Tag Your Delivery · Borderless Investment Group (Pty) Ltd

The outbreak of COVID-19 has impacted on society and the economy causing us to rethink our consumer behaviour and our contributions to our society. Over the last year many well-known brands have had to adapt to a new normal and have done so with distinction. KwaZulu-Natal is home to a large number of brands that have been homegrown and driven from within the province. Many of these companies have long histories and they continue to expand their footprints today. The Standard Bank KZN Top Brand award is much coveted and celebrates the efforts these businesses have put into their branding and marketing. The Top Brand accolade is awarded solely by public vote and is contested over several weeks. The interest in this category is especially reflected in the huge range of brands that are selected and in the large number of votes cast. All the brands have won the support of their employees, clients, family and friends and the votes received are a testament to these accomplishments. The 2021 top 20 brands are: 1. Hollwoodbets 2. Blue Security 3. Plennegy Group 4. Beekman Group 5. Tyson Properties 6. East Coast Radio 7. Boxer 8. Hirsch’s 9. Spar 10. Illovo Sugar South Africa 11. Woodford Group 12. SLG (Pty) Ltd 13. The Sharks 14. Imperial Amour 15. International Bank Vaults (IBV) 16. Supertech Group 17. Shelley Residential 18. Icebolethu Group 19. DRG Outsourcing 20. Siyaya Power Solution

All of the winners in the Standard Bank KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Awards 2021 were announced last night. The annual awards, which are now in their fifteenth years of existence, celebrate business excellence and recognise the successful businesspeople who drive these achievements, across a range of categories. In his welcome address, Imraan Noorbhai, Standard Bank Head Consumer Client Coverage, KwaZulu-Natal emphasised the bank’s commitment to growing the economy. He said, “At Standard Bank our purpose is defined by ‘Africa is our home we drive her growth’. We aim to make life better for our fellow Africans by doing the right business the right way, contributing to the financial wellbeing of our clients, and supporting sustainable and job creating growth of the economies in which we operate. We are more than a bank; we are an integrated financial services operation and deeply rooted in Africa. In these uncertain times we are committed to doing everything that we can to support our people, our clients and our communities.” As such the Standard Bank is a proud sponsor of the awards, which in 2021 included a number of new categories. The category winners were: Business Innovation: Imperial Armour Entrepreneur Resilience: Sihle Ndlela and Simphiwe Majozi Digital/System Implementation: Plennegy (Pty) Ltd Employee Wellbeing: MCS Debt Recovery Small Business Start-up: Seventeen87 Wine Cellar Community and Social Responsibility: Toyota South Africa Motors {Pty) Ltd Family Business: Hirsch's Business Personality : Ashok Sewnarain Top Brand: Hollywoodbets Ashok Sewnarain, chief executive officer of International Bank Vaults (IBV) was recognised for the business success he has achieved, which has been balanced with a deep commitment to community and social support. The much-coveted Top Brand award was contested by public vote over a number of weeks. Hollywoodbets first place selection was followed by Blue Security and Plennegy in second place and third place respectively. Grant Adlam, CEO of KZN Top Business, thanked all entrants in this year’s event. “Selecting winners is never an easy task and this year we were overwhelmed by the interest shown, which was reflected in both the number and quality of the entries,” he said. Hameed Noormahomed, Standard Bank Head Business Client Coverage, KwaZulu-Natal thanked all the nominees and winners of the 2021 Standard Bank KZN Top Business Awards for helping to play an integral part in our African economy. He said, “We thank all businesses for their agility and resilience in forging ahead under these challenging times to stimulate and grow our economy. Business plays a crucial role in the growth of Africa. In commenting on Standard Bank’s role in the economy he said, “You can bank on us for solutions to help you start, manage and grow your business. At Standard Bank ‘It can be’.” As attendance was strictly limited to adhere to Covid-19 regulations, the event was live streamed so that employees, clients, families, friends, and other stakeholders could view the proceedings remotely.