Glitter and glamour at the Business of the Year gala evening

A total of 80 businesses were nominated and voted for, and close to 1 000 votes were counted.
The business of the year concept started five years ago. According to Wessel Venter, previously chairman of the business chamber and currently member of the executive committee, there has been tremendous growth in the competition over this past five years. “This year we received the most percentage of votes as well as the most businesses nominated.” Venter said when the competition started in 2014, ballot papers were used for voting, but it is now done electronically.
“There is so much negativity in the community these days. Our roads are in a dire state, we have the Eskom electricity debt of over R500 million but despite all this we believe the competition brings positivity in our community. Through this competition we want to thank businesses for their contribution and loyalty towards the town.”
Phoenix Flying Squad K9 and Mountain Security Squad walked away with the trophy for best business of the year. “Previous winners of the competition were Highlands Volkswagen, McGee Ford, Pick n Pay and Lydenburg Toyota,” added Venter.
The master of ceremonies for the evening was Tielman Nieuwoudt.
Etli van der Merwe, current chairman of LMBC, said the chamber had a very productive year. She highlighted projects that the chamber initiated this year, among others the pothole project where two local companies were trained by Glencore Smelter and assigned to fix the holes in town, the PRIDE cleaning project which the chamber hopes to continue with, and the Lydenburg Mashishing business directory which saw its seventh edition this year.
Van der Merwe indicated that without the support of the community the pothole and PRIDE cleaning projects would not have been possible.
“With the help of several companies, two road crossings in town were also fixed. Negotiations with the provincial government are still going on in order to improve the state of our provincial routes, as Lydenburg is one of the gateways to the Kruger National Park and various tourist attractions as well.
Lydenburg Mashishing Business Chamber is taking hands with the Thaba Chweu Local Municipality to improve our town and promote a prosperous business environment for all.
“We had a successful gala evening where recognition was given to various businesses and people for their contributions to Lydenburg,” she concluded.
Chris Chameleon and his wife Danielle entertained the guests with their musical talent after the awards ceremony.

The following awards were handed out:
Individual awards:
Suzaan Bronkhorst, choir master of both Hoërskool Lydenburg and Laerskool Lydenburg. Both choirs did exceptionally well in the national “Sing in Harmonie” choir competition. Laerskool Lydenburg’s choir was runner-up in the primary schools category and the high school came third in theirs.
• Zanri Hanekom, a grade 9 learner from Hoërskool Lydenburg, for receiving a gold medal in the 2018 Tritech Science Expo. She is a former gold medal winner at the Eskom International Science Fair for her project to use sunlight to produce lighting for houses without electricity. She is a top-five academic achiever and was chosen for the school’s MTB team that participated at the Spur SA championship for the last two years.
Posthumous award
Markus Mashego recently passed on. He spent his life serving the community. He worked closely with LMBC and was always eager to solve problems at the municipality.

Special business awards
Phoenix – This business was established in Lydenburg and is operating nationally, in Namibia and Swaziland.
Barko Financial Services – Was also established in Lydenburg and now has 169 branches throughout South Africa.
Zizwe Opencast Mining – Was established as an enterprise development initiative. It now employs more than 2 000 people in addition to 800 subcontractors.
Powers nPhuti – This business also started as an enterprise development initiative. It has since grown its client base and employs 300 full-time staff.
Lunsklip Fisheries – Was established in 1972 as a family business and is now the largest trout producer in the Old Transvaal. They export trout eggs to Europe and were recognised on RSG, in various magazines and on television.
Long-service awards
• Roelof Stoltz (85) started Pionier Slaghuis in August 1977 and has since started Soetdoring Slaghuis, which he still manages on a daily basis.
• Lampie van der Nest (74) established Nesthout in 1977. He was actively involved in local government and a councillor for 17 years. He was also very instrumental in the establishment of the chamber in 2007.
• Frikkie Kurger (70) established Kruger Konstruksie in 1975 and was instrumental when the then-CMI was established in 1976.
• Boetie Cassim (70) is the father of the Hanas Group of Companies and started Hanas Hardware in 1987.
• Fanie Erasmus Sr (70) became a partner in the Toyota Dealership in 1986.

Top 20 businesses in town
1. Phoenix
2. Courier Guy
3. Steelburger
4. Hanas
5. Highlands Panorama
6. Aqua Terra Guesthouse
7. Seeff
8. Postnet
9. National Autoglass
10. Zizwe
11. Lydenburg Toyota
12. DN Makelaars
13. JJ Gym
14. Mosomo
15. Alba Atra
16. Maliflora
17. Barko
18. HBK Towing
19. McGee
20. Deo Volente and Pick n Pay had equal votes.