Southern African 2015 AABLA finalists announced

25 Sep 2015

The annual 2015 All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) in Partnership with CNBC Africa head to Johannesburg, South Africa, next week, celebrating the pioneers and change-makers in the Southern African business landscape.

The Southern Africa's finalists having been revealed for their contributions to the region's prosperity, the second regional round of the AABLA will take place in Sandton on 30 September to announce this years winners and celebrate the awards 5th anniversary.

Southern African 2015 AABLA finalists announced

After the Southern African round, the AABLA will move on to West Africa, celebrating the region's business leaders on 22 October, having enjoyed a successful run in East Africa on 15 September.

Regional winners will then vie for the ultimate title of Africa's business icon in their sector at the esteemed All Africa Business Leaders Awards in Partnership with CNBC Africa All Africa Finale in Johannesburg on 13 November 2015 hosted by Bakgatla-Ba-Kgafela.

The finalists for each category in the Southern African round are:

Young Business Leader of the Year - Southern Africa

Ashley Uys, Managing Director of Real World Diagnostics
Sylvester Chauke, Founder of DNA BrandArchitects
John Nicolakakis, CEO of Romans Pizza

Entrepreneur of the Year - Southern Africa Presented by Sea Harvest

Samuel Seeff, Chairman of Seeff Properties
John Nicolakakis, CEO of Romans Pizza
Braam van Huyssteen, Founder of Tekkie Town
Jason Xenopoulos, CEO of NATIVE

Business Leader of the Year - Southern Africa Presented by Bosch

Edward Kieswetter, CEO of Alexander Forbes
Dr Johan van Zyl, Group Chief Executive of Sanlam
Sisa Ngebulana, CEO of Billion Group

Business Woman of the Year - Southern Africa

Jeanne Groenewald, Founder of Elgin Free Range Chickens
Natasha Sideris, Founder of Tashas
Louisa Mojela and Gloria Serobe, WIPHOLD

Philanthropist of the Year - Southern Africa

Solly Noor of Solly and Zohra Noor Foundation
Wendy Ackerman of The Ackerman Foundation
Wendy Appelbaum of Wendy Appelbaum Foundation

The Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by the Gauteng Growth and Development Agency (GGDA) will once again be selected by the judging committee and announced on the night. As a new category to the fold, the Industrialist of the Year category, will take on a similar format.

For more information, go to www.aablawards.com and follow the 2015 All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) in Partnership with CNBC Africa on Twitter: @aablawards and #AABLA2015.