ACSA believes that women should soar to success

Solomon Makgale, Group Manager Communications for the Airports Company South Africa, says that as a company, ACSA is a firm believer in the principle that the stimulation of South Africa's economy is dependent on the successful initiation and growth of enterprises, especially those in the small- and medium-sized categories.

"Our sponsorship of The Top Women Entrepreneur Award is a natural extension of the company's commitment to empowering women, combined with that of enterprise development."

ACSA is majority owned by the South African Government, through the Department of Transport, and manages the country's 10 principal airports. It has been in existence since 1993 and has succeeded in transforming fragmented assets into a world-class, profitable state-owned company that is run along commercial lines.

The company was formed to own and operate the nine principal South African airports, including the three main international gateways of O.R. Tambo, Cape Town and Durban. In 1998 it added Pilanesberg International Airport to its network under a 30-year concession with the North West Province.

Makgale says that the company is sponsoring the Top Women Awards because it believes in the recognition of women achievers as a means of celebrating empowerment and encouraging other women to realise their potential.

"The Airports Company South Africa has always believed in the development of women. We believe that if a company provides a woman with the opportunity to uplift herself, this will also benefit her family, her community and ultimately the nation."

Makgale says that ACSA runs a very successful Women's Empowerment Programme which has significantly contributed towards the development and networking of women in the company.

"All ACSA employees have an equal opportunity to occupy whatever position they wish across the board, from technical positions, to management and executive directorships. Women have held all of these positions in the Airports Company South Africa and will continue to do so."

The Top Women Awards will pay tribute to some of South Africa's top female achievers and companies which have excelled in their gender empowerment programmes, at a gala event which is taking place at the Gallagher Convention Centre in JHB on Thursday, 22 September 2011. The event will be attended by some of the top businessmen and businesswomen in the country, popular radio and television celebrities and government officials amongst others.

About the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA)
ACSA was formed in 1993 as a public company under the Companies Act of 1973, as amended, and the Airports Company Act of 1993, as amended.

Although ACSA is majority owned by the South African Government, through the Department of Transport, the Company is legally and financially autonomous and operates under commercial law.

ACSA was formed to own and operate the nine principal South African airports, including the three main international gateways of O.R. Tambo, Cape Town and Durban. ACSA added Pilanesberg International Airport to its network in 1998 under a 30-year concession with the North West Province.

ACSA was partially privatised in 1998, when a 25.4% shareholding was sold to private-sector shareholders. The transaction valued ACSA at about R4 billion. In 2005, the 20% foreign-held shareholding was sold to the Public Investment Corporation, a local asset management company.

Airports and infrastructure growth play critical roles in the national economy. A recent University of Johannesburg survey showed that the economic impact of O.R. Tambo, Cape Town and Durban international airports was significant, with a combined contribution towards GDP of R85 billion. Furthermore, the three airports generated 33 700 direct, on-airport jobs and 227 600 indirect jobs.

For more information, please visit: www.acsa.co.za.