Celebration of top companies and business leaders

Trade and Investment South Africa (TISA), a division of the Department of Trade and Industry nominated these awards based on growth and performance, export and trade orientation; contribution to Black Economic Empowerment and transformation; contribution to job creation and to the economy, and overall quality of performance.

Business Woman of the Year Dr Danisa Baloyi (Executive Director of the National Black Business Caucus NBBC) shared that the Minister of Finance, Trevor Manuel, was one of the first who thought she had potential and gave her the opportunity to make a difference. "My greatest contribution to South Africa has undoubtedly been in the area of transformation, and in skills and business development these are the areas that matter to me most, and are reflected in my business involvement," said Baloyi.

Shoprite Checkers CEO, Whitey Basson walked away with the Business Man of the Year award in recognition of growing an eight-store business into a R20-billion success and creating seventy-four thousand jobs so far in the process.

"It is important to honour and recognise the great strides made by South African business, both big and small as Top 300 Companies has proudly done tonight," said Richard Fletcher, founder of Top 300 Companies.