INLSA
Dumile Cele, business services manager at the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry with Bronwyn Fynn, marketing executive of The Mercury; and; Linda Ngcobo, CEO of AQRate KZN, launching the 2013 Alec Rogoff Broad-Based BEE Awards.
Picture: Marilyn Bernard
The 2013 edition of the Alec Rogoff Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Awards have been launched by the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry in association with BEE rating agency AQRate KZN and media partner The Mercury.
KZN businesses looking to show off their BEE credentials have been invited to come forward. The deadline for entries is March 29.
After adjudication, finalists will be invited to the chamber’s dinner at the International Convention Centre on April 24 where winners will be announced.
The three award categories are:
* Small and medium enterprise BEE company of the year (companies with a turnover of between R5 million and R35m).
* Large BEE company of the year (with a turnover of more than R35m).
* The BEE award for enterprise development. This award replaces the BEE deal or project of the year category of previous years.
It seeks to celebrate organisations with enterprise development programmes that have spurred the economic empowerment and development of small black enterprises.
“The Durban Chamber takes pride in its annual Alec Rogoff BEE Awards programme, which is now in its sixth year. We believe that the economic liberation and empowerment of black people are essential for the country’s economy to attain optimal growth. It makes sound business sense for our members, and all other companies, to embrace the broad-based BEE policy and to do so without a one-eyed focus on compliance,” chamber chief executive Andrew Layman said.
In naming these awards after Alec Rogoff, Layman said the chamber paid tribute to a prominent Durban businessman who was ahead of his time in promoting transformation in business.
He said he was grateful for the support of award partners AQRate and The Mercury over the years.
Linda Ngcobo, chief executive of AQRate KZN, said: “This is the sixth year of the awards and that is certainly a sign that broad-based BEE is progressing. I remember the first year of the awards, motivating why there should be a KZN-based award to highlight the importance of our companies to engage with KZN-based projects and investors for BEE.
“It is amazing how many organisations will look to engage with Joburg investors, projects and BEE verification agencies, when we have all of these resources right here on our doorstep.
“That is what makes the Alec Rogoff BEE Awards so distinctly refreshing. It is our KZN award, it allows us to focus on all the good that is being done here, locally, and celebrate that nationally.”
Ngcobo urged businesses to enter KZN’s leading private |sector-led BEE awards initiative.
She said one of the criteria for entering was a valid broad-based BEE certificate.
The Durban Chamber’s new business services manager, Dumile Cele, said: “Companies considering entering the awards can get an entry form from the chamber’s offices or AQRate KZN. You have to be in it to win it and get recognised for your efforts in BEE and broader transformation of the KZN economy.”
* To enter, call Prudence Sakala at 031 335 1000, 031 335 1032 or e-mail sakalap@durbanchamber.co.za or Jos Lowry at AQRate KZN at 031 563 7788 or jos@aqrate.co.za.
