702 and Pastel launches Small Business Awards

The station will select 30 finalists from these and interview them live either during the morning or the afternoon drive shows. Based on the interviews and various background criteria, a panel of judges will then select a winner, to be announced at an awards dinner on 10 September 2009.

“We launched the Small Business Awards as a way to highlight the incredible work being done in this sector,” said Talk Radio 702 station manager, Pheladi Gwangwa. “These businesses are often owned or run by our listeners or they deal with our listeners every day, which makes this initiative highly relevant to our audience.”

Softline Pastel, a partner with 702 in the competition, will be using the awards to promote its new online accounting solution for small businesses. “With the current rate of retrenchment and limited employment options, South Africans have to create their own employment. Now more than ever, small businesses need to be lauded for the services they provide. It is important to support this essential element of the business sector,” stated Steven Cohen, MD of Softline Pastel.