KLCBT Awards honours Mbombela entrepreneurs and community uplifters
The KLCBT Awards are the Lowveld's ultimate showcase of business excellence that also rewards outstanding practices.
Entrepreneurs, tourism movers and shakers and individuals passionate about community upliftment all gathered at the Emnotweni Arena on October 20 for the much-anticipated Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) Annual Awards.
Lowvelders came out in their glitz and glam to witness the ultimate winners of the year. Violinist Naomi Tagg was the entertainer for the night.
The KLCBT Awards is the region’s ultimate showcase of business excellence, and acknowledge and reward outstanding achievements and sound business practices. The night recognised 14 businesses and individuals who truly make a difference within the Kruger Lowveld community. They received handcrafted accolades and certificates.
According to the KLCBT’s president, Prof David Mabunda, the chamber seeks to improve and address the injustices and bridge the gap of inequality in business districts and those in the townships.
“We are developing skills, tackling crime affecting the tourism sector, conducting cleaning campaigns and working at grassroots level to improve economic growth. The KLCBT has been recognised as one of the best chambers in South Africa and tasked to mentor other chambers. We want to take a lead in the country in finding alternatives to the energy crisis, working together with stakeholders.”
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He took to the stage once again to announce the recipient of the KLCBT/MMC President’s Award – the Lowveld’s transport giant, Buscor. The recipient was chosen at Mabunda’s sole discretion. Before the big reveal, he said the award gives recognition to a company’s contribution to the community and economic growth of the Lowveld, which goes above and beyond the criteria and requirement of any other awards.
“They have a well-known presence, deeply rooted into our society. Them not being in existence is almost unimaginable. We appreciate the contribution that this company has made in many communities,” he said.
A well-known individual in the tourism sector, also one of the MCs for the night, Oupa Pilane, accepted the award on the behalf of Buscor’s executive chairperson, Dr Norah Fakude, who had left the awards prior to the announcement due to another engagement.
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Zelma and Patrik D’Hollander received the KLCBT/Crossing SUPERPSPAR Social Philanthropy Award. The decision was made by a panel of experts in the field, based on the information supplied on the motivation for the nomination. The finalists included Jim Savvy and Willem Fic.
Sinani received the KLCBT/Sappi Limited Nelspruit Community Service Award. The other four finalists also received R5 000 each.
The winners of the KLCBT Annual Awards 2023:
• The KLCBT/PricewaterhouseCoopers Emerging Entrepreneur Award: Angels View Hoyohoyo
• The KLCBT/Pronto Computer Solutions Young Entrepreneur (below 35) Award: Locita 360 Photography
• The KLCBT/Buscor Township/Rural Enterprise Award: PostNet Malalane
• The KLCBT/Sappi Limited Nelspruit Community Service Award: Sinani
• The KLCBT/Crossing SUPERSPAR Social Investment/Philanthropy Award: Zelma and Patrik D’Hollander
• The KLCBT/Halls Properties Alan Bachelor Sustainability Award: Africa Green Earth Projects
• The KLCBT/Nashua Lowveld Tourism SMME Award: Hazyview Sun
• The KLCBT/Nkambeni Safari Camp Large Tourism Enterprise Award: Mdluli Safari Lodge
• The KLCBT/Tshwane University of Technology Innovation Award: Internship Success
• The KLCBT/Nelspruit Fasteners Small Business Enterprise Award: Flower Market
• The KLCBT/Tracker Connect Medium Business Enterprise Award: Motswako Mbombela
• The KLCBT/BUCO Nelspruit Large Business Enterprise Award: Gundle Plastics Group
• The KLCBT/Konica Minolta SA Customer Service Award: Motswako Mbombela
• The KLCBT/MMC President’s Award: Buscor.
