SA top performing companies called on for final nominations for the National Business Awards

The National Business Awards, hosted in association with Topco's annual publications - SA Top Performing Companies and SA's Top 500 Companies, recognises and honours the top performers of the year in business and industry for individuals and companies, and will be held on 28th May at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Referred to as the ‘Oscars of business' by Cyril Ramaposa, this year's National Business Awards, far from being self-congratulatory, will introduce an aspect of giving back to the business sector. Bursaries and grants will be awarded to selected pdi students by Topco Media, together with the event's sponsors, to cover their tuition costs for a year or more. The students can then go on to be mentored in-house by the sponsors of the different business sectors that correspond with the award categories. The recipients of the bursaries and grants will be chosen by Universities of Stellenbosch, Wits, Johannesburg, and UNISA and Topco Media.

To add a twist to the Awards' evening, a boxing ring will take centre stage and will influence the theme and atmosphere of the event. “A boxing ring makes for a great stage with good visibility for the some 800 guests expected at this year's Awards, plus the theme of boxing match will add a fun aspect to the ceremony, hosted this year by Leanne Manos,” explains Fletcher.

Previous winners of the prestigious awards include some of South Africa's best known personalities and organisations – Patrice Mosepe (Harmony Gold), Tokyo Sexwale (Mvelphanda Holdings), Maria Ramos (Transnet), Wendy Lucas-Bull (First Rand), and Monhla Hlahla (Airports Company South Africa).

With just 10 days to go before nominations are close (April 25th), companies and individuals wishing to enter or find out more about the National Business Awards are urged to contact Topco Media (www.topco.co.za).