Call to enter Passing the Torch Awards 2008

Entry is open until Friday, 25 July 2008, for members of the public to nominate those women they feel possess and embrace the characteristics of an award winner. Self nominations are welcome.

Nominations are open to women who fall within the following six categories:

1. Finance
   
2. Film
   
3. Infrastructure Development
   
4. Services & Manufacturing
   
5. Tourism & Hospitality
   
6. Trade
   

In order to be eligible for the awards, nominees should:

• Own their own business and should have been in operation for not less than 2 years
  
• Show entrepreneurial skills in running their business
  
• Have made a tangible difference in the category for which they are nominated
  
• Have positively influenced their work place, community, and/or field of endeavor
  
• Have contributed to economic wealth, job creation and growth
  
• Demonstrate extraordinary leadership capabilities and should have initiated change through innovation
  
• Have overcome professional obstacles to achieve their goals
  
• Have demonstrated that they are results orientated

Enquiries and requests for nomination forms can de directed to:
Britespark Communications
Tel: 011 315 0092
Fax: 011 312 1321
E-mail: or

Finalists' names will be released at a media function to be announced in due course.

The winners in each category will be recognised and awarded at a gala dinner event to be held on Thursday, 28 August 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) in Sandton.

Paying tribute to positive women

An initiative of Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs, Paul Mashatile, the awards pay tribute to women from the province who have stood out in their efforts to play a positive role in enriching the provincial economy. Since inception in 2005, the awards have played a critical part in bringing to the fore outstanding women who epitomise success and are an inspiration to those around them.

“We are honoured to have the opportunity to recognise women from within the province who have excelled and contributed to the economic growth of the province. One of our mandates as the Department of Economic Development is to act as a catalyst for the growth and advancement of the province's entrepreneurial sector. We also place great emphasis on ensuring that we provide women, who have traditionally been marginalised from mainstream business, with the requisite opportunities to advance themselves and their businesses,” said Mashatile.

The 2007 winners include illustrious names such as Isabelle Rorke of Anamazing Workshop, Zodwa Manase of Manase & Associates, Shereen Bogosing of Inimba Holdings, Zandile Nkosi of Siphindlie Cleaning Services, Beryl Shuttleworth of Herbal House, and Melina Langa of Memangeni Lodge & Conference Centre.