Businesswomen in East London were applauded for their contributions to the city’s business landscape at the elegant Businesswomen’s Association (BWA) regional business achiever awards on Saturday night.
Women in the hospital, university and corporate sectors, as well as dynamic entrepreneurs in the hospitality and health spheres, were lauded at the glamorous black-tie evening held at The Venue at Hemingways Hotel.
The BWA saw 17 finalists in six categories being introduced and, by the end of the evening, six high-flyers emerged as winners of the 14th annual event, to which the Daily Dispatch is the media partner.
“I am humbled by this award,” said professional entrepreneur category winner Mmabatho Ndwande, who is the deputy director of pharmaceutical services at Frere Hospital.
Acknowledging her “winning team” at the hospital, she said, to massive cheers from her table: “Let’s keep going!”
The co-owner of authentically cooked homemade takeaway business Ginger & Co Estie Gane, who won the emerging entrepreneur category, praised the BWA.
“It is amazing what you do for women in this province. This has been absolutely fantastic.” She also gave a shout-out to her husband and business partner Benji for his support.
Marissa Nel, managing director of Marissa Nel & Associates which provides prosthetic solutions enabling disabled people to live productive lives, took home the entrepreneur category, saying the award provided a platform for disabled people whose “voices have been silenced”.
In the social entrepreneur category, dynamic St Bernard’s Hospice CEO Rene Wienekus collared the prize and thanked the BWA for recognising the work the hospice did for patients diagnosed with life-threatening illness.
Faculty head of health sciences at the University of Fort Hare Professor Eunice Seekoei dedicated her award in the government category to the university. “UFH, this is your night. You are special. You know this is your award,” she said.
Mercedes-Benz SA manager executive of development and performance Pralene Mahabir said it was a privilege and honour to be recognised “for the work I do every day”. She also paid tribute to her team at the auto plant saying: “As a collective, we can accomplish a lot together”.
Head awards judge and previous BWA award-winner Shereen Noble, from the East London division of the Auditor-General of South Africa, emphasised that only the “best-of-the-best” received the awards.
“They have to have had a sustainable impact in their area of expertise. They are not just doing the job they are paid for. We as East Londoners can be so proud of these women,” Noble said.
Guest speaker Nosipho Siwisa-Damasane, who won the national BWA award last year, earned a standing ovation with her speech about how a “rural girl from Peddie” became the first female port manager of the East London harbour.
Siwisa-Damasane hailed East London’s BWA business achiever awards, saying it supported women and the country’s future leaders. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
BWA pays tribute to businesswomen
Women in the hospital, university and corporate sectors, as well as dynamic entrepreneurs in the hospitality and health spheres, were lauded at the glamorous black-tie evening held at The Venue at Hemingways Hotel.
The BWA saw 17 finalists in six categories being introduced and, by the end of the evening, six high-flyers emerged as winners of the 14th annual event, to which the Daily Dispatch is the media partner.
“I am humbled by this award,” said professional entrepreneur category winner Mmabatho Ndwande, who is the deputy director of pharmaceutical services at Frere Hospital.
Acknowledging her “winning team” at the hospital, she said, to massive cheers from her table: “Let’s keep going!”
The co-owner of authentically cooked homemade takeaway business Ginger & Co Estie Gane, who won the emerging entrepreneur category, praised the BWA.
“It is amazing what you do for women in this province. This has been absolutely fantastic.” She also gave a shout-out to her husband and business partner Benji for his support.
Marissa Nel, managing director of Marissa Nel & Associates which provides prosthetic solutions enabling disabled people to live productive lives, took home the entrepreneur category, saying the award provided a platform for disabled people whose “voices have been silenced”.
In the social entrepreneur category, dynamic St Bernard’s Hospice CEO Rene Wienekus collared the prize and thanked the BWA for recognising the work the hospice did for patients diagnosed with life-threatening illness.
Faculty head of health sciences at the University of Fort Hare Professor Eunice Seekoei dedicated her award in the government category to the university. “UFH, this is your night. You are special. You know this is your award,” she said.
Mercedes-Benz SA manager executive of development and performance Pralene Mahabir said it was a privilege and honour to be recognised “for the work I do every day”. She also paid tribute to her team at the auto plant saying: “As a collective, we can accomplish a lot together”.
Head awards judge and previous BWA award-winner Shereen Noble, from the East London division of the Auditor-General of South Africa, emphasised that only the “best-of-the-best” received the awards.
“They have to have had a sustainable impact in their area of expertise. They are not just doing the job they are paid for. We as East Londoners can be so proud of these women,” Noble said.
Guest speaker Nosipho Siwisa-Damasane, who won the national BWA award last year, earned a standing ovation with her speech about how a “rural girl from Peddie” became the first female port manager of the East London harbour.
Siwisa-Damasane hailed East London’s BWA business achiever awards, saying it supported women and the country’s future leaders. — barbarah@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos