National Brands Limited (NBL), a subsidiary of AVI, has scooped the first Proudly South African Homegrown Company of the Year Award. The awards, held on 19 February 2005, at the Atlas Studios in Johannesburg, recognised NBL's four year brands commitment to the Proudly SA campaign.
NBL's Freshpak Tea was the first product to display the Proudly South African logo at the start of the campaign four years ago and today, NBL has established an unequivocal reputation as a custodian of quality Proudly South African brands, including established icons such as Five Roses tea, Frisco and Ciro coffees, Bakers and Pyotts biscuits and Ellis Brown Creamer.
This is the first year the awards were hosted and highlights a new initiative that celebrates the best Proudly South African companies, products and the people behind them. The awards showcase the diverse spectrum of South African companies, large and small, whose dynamism and innovation display a positive contribution to sustainable growth in South Africa.
"The Homegrown awards are a unique opportunity for Proudly South African members to be recognised and profiled as Proudly South African achievers," says Martin Feinstein, Proudly SA acting CEO. "The awards were introduced to shine the spotlight on Proudly South African member companies who have made a real contribution to the promotion of South African innovation, employment, exports and consumer choice."
Madeleine Simon (NBL), Maria Beffon (NBL), Cliff Sampson (MD - NBL), Lindsay Collins (NBL)
Adjudicated by a representative panel of Proudly South African leaders from business, government, trade unions and the community, the competition attracted an impressive 368 submissions, from 198 SMME companies and 25 corporates, spanning a wide range of industry sectors.
Out of a possible 10 categories in the corporate category, NBL received the prestigious award as Proudly South African Company of the Year and was also named Proudly South African Employer of the Year, which honours NBL for involving their employees in understanding and supporting the Proudly South African campaign.
"This was a proud moment for NBL, as the calibre of companies against whom we were competing was extremely high. It also demonstrates our joint commitment to visibly embracing the principles of Proudly South African in our operations and activities and in so doing, demonstrates our responsibility in creating a better and more Proudly South African future," comments Maria Beffon, NBL Executive Director: Demand
The awards confirmed NBL's commitment to the Proudly South African sentiment of systematically transforming society to instil pride in the country. "We encourage all employees in our company to live the values of being Proudly South African and the award, the highest kudos for acknowledging homegrown excellence, will be used to further instil and promote the Proudly South African ethos," concludes Beffon.
The awards were attended by captains of South African industry and government, including President Thabo Mbeki and Tim Modise, chairperson of Proudly South African. Well-known TV personality Gerri Rantselli, emceed the event and Three Afro Tenors provided the entertainment for the evening.
