Santie Botha crowned BWA Businesswoman of the Year

Diverse talents, skills, commitment

Botha competed against Dr Snowy Khoza (Development Bank of SA), Akashni Naidoo (Workgroup) and Zine Nkukwana (Magalies Water). The four finalists represent the diverse talent, skills and commitment that South African women contribute to the public and private sectors.

Criteria for nominations included the following:

• A South African resident and/or citizen who conducts business in South Africa;
• She controls a budget of R 75 million or more for the Corporate Category and a budget of R 35 million or more for the Entrepreneurial Category;
  
• She has been working for her current company for a minimum of three years, but not necessarily in the same position;
  
• She has demonstrated her ability to achieve business success;
  
• She is a role model

Botha has been with MTN since 2003 and sits on various boards, including Tiger Brands. Prior to that, she was executive director at Absa Bank and also spent time working at Unilever. She completed B Economics (1985) and Honours B Economics (1986) at Stellenbosch University. Recently, Botha was announced as chancellor of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, based in Port Elizabeth.

Won various awards

Since 1998, she has won:

• 1998: Young Business Person of the Year Award
  
• 2001: Prestige Award by City Press/Rapport
  
• 2001: Fellowship of the Institute of Marketing Management (IMM).
  
• 2002: Marketer of the Year (Marketing Federation of South Africa)
  
• 2003: Business Person of the Month (April) (Business Times)

"The Businesswomen's Association congratulates Santie Botha on winning the 2010 BWA Businesswoman of the Year Award, and thanks all the finalists for their commitment to the competition. We are proud to have Santie Botha representing the Businesswomen's Association whilst showcasing her capabilities and achievements within the business sector," said BWA president Kunyalala Maphisa.

Added Ingrid Johnson, group managing executive of Nedbank Retail & Business Banking, "Nedbank's support for the BWA demonstrates the bank's commitment to empowering women in business. Congratulations to Santie Botha on the exceptional achievement of being awarded the title of 2010 BWA Businesswoman of the Year."

The gala event was attended by an array of prestigious women from all sectors of society.