Judges selected for Standard Bank Rising Star Awards

They include:

• Bedelia Theunissen (Absa)
  
• Brigitte Chetty (Makro)
  
• Busi Mashiane (African Rainbow Minerals)
  
• Deshnee Moodley (Foschini Retail Group)
  
• Jabu Mahange (Primedia)
  
• Lindy Mthenjane (FNB)
  
• Lorato Mogaki (AngloAmerican)
  
• Marc Privett (Media24)
  
• Melody Lekota (Cell C)
  
• Shaan Burnill (Standard Bank)
  
• Sharmila Govind (HSBC)
  
• Shirley Machaba (PwC)
  
• Thami Msubo (Telkom)
  
• Zaid Shaik (Standard Bank)

The Awards identify, recognise and celebrate young talent across 12 categories and are a unique opportunity for these individuals to highlight their successes, as well as prove their commitment to development and growth – of not only themselves and their organisations, but also their industries and communities.

The twelve industry categories are banking and financial services; construction and engineering; energy and chemicals; entrepreneurship; ICT; manufacturing, retail and FMCG; media and marketing; mining and minerals; professional services; service: public and private; tourism, leisure and hospitality; and transport, logistics and supply chain.

Standard Bank’s global head of resourcing, Amelia Muller, says that bank is proud to be the headline sponsor again this year. “We have seen first-hand the significant role these awards play in identifying and celebrating talent across all industries. They provide a unique platform for our young leaders to display the work they have done, as well as encourage us with their potential for reaching even greater heights. They also provide a cross-industry network of up-and-coming leaders that will soon be a powerful force to be reckoned with in the business world. Importantly, the awards are also putting Africa on the map when it comes to showing the global business community what talent we have on the continent.”

Stringent selection

The selection process is stringent – nominees (between 28 and 40 years of age) will be required to complete an entry form and those who progress to the semi-finals will go through a second round of entry forms, which require more detail and supporting documents from the nominee, as well as verification from their nominator.

Finalists are then invited for an interview in front of a panel of expert judges – a three-hour question-and-answer session that delves into the heart of whether the candidate has what it takes to edge out the others. The criteria have been developed by USB-ED (University of Stellenbosch Executive Development) from its research into the Future Leader and USB-ED will also moderate the judging process.

“It is a tough process, but it is rigorous for a reason,” explains Laura Barker, MD of BlackBark Productions, organisers of the Rising Star Programme. “The Standard Bank Rising Star awards are aspirational and representative of the cream of the crop where young talent is concerned. We know that these leaders really deserve to be winners, and that the award is meaningful as both a personal and professional recognition of their drive and determination.”

The deadline for entries is 31 March 2016. For more information, go to www.risingstarawards.co.za.