They also have a unique opportunity to network across industry sectors, with both their fellow winners, and top minds in the country through a mentorship programme.
As headline sponsor, Standard Bank is committed to identifying and celebrating talent across industries. “Every year we are impressed with the calibre of entries from our talented young workforce, and this year is no different,” says Standard Bank’s global head of resourcing, Amelia Muller. “There is another excellent group of finalists going through to the last round, and the judges are going to have their work cut out for them!”
The last round is rigorous, and comprises a three-hour Q&A session in front of a panel of expert judges. The criteria have been developed by USB-ED (University of Stellenbosch Executive Development) from their research into the Future Leader, and USB-ED will also moderate the judging process. The gala dinner announcing the winners will be held at the Sandton Hilton on 22 July 2016.
Judges include HR executives and directors from some of South Africa’s top firms – Zaid Shaik (Standard Bank), Busi Mashiane (African Rainbow Minerals), Lorato Mogaki (AngloAmerican), Melody Lekota (Cell C), Linda Mthenjane (FNB), Shaan Burnill (Standard Bank), Sharmila Govind (HSBC), Brigitte Chetty (Makro), Marc Privett (Media24), Jabu Mahange (Primedia), Shirley Machaba (PwC), Thami Msubo (Telkom) and Bedelia Theunissen (Absa), amongst others.
Because the nomination process and first two rounds are designed to ensure that only the best candidates go through to the final round, regardless of the organisations they represent, this sometimes results in anomalies. This year, one such anomaly is the dominance of Eskom candidates in the Energy & Environment sector, sponsored by Sasol.
Click here to view the finalists.
