Toti businesses, forum lauded

The Durban South Business Forum (DSBF) celebrated winning a number of prestigious awards at the annual congress and gala dinner on Friday, 23 May in Toti.

The DSBF won the Business Forum of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHI) KZN, while chairman, Charmaine Roodt of FNB Galleria won the AHI Business Person of 2014 (corporate) and Louise Verrips of Armani Day Spa won the AHi KZN Business Person of 2014 (entrepreneur) awards.

“It is a great privilege to win business person of the year, as the forum is very strict on its criteria,” said Louise. “It’s a great honour and I’m glad to have won. I was surprised and shocked. I was happy just to be selected as an entrant. This is the first time I entered. I knew my father had entered me, but I didn’t think I would win.”

Louise opened her spa five years ago and credits her parents, Maretha and Aart, a recent business person of the year winner, for her success.

“I was a bit stunned at first, but deeply honoured to be awarded the best business forum of AHI KZN,” said DSBF president, Charmaine Roodt. “I credit our win to a great team of very passionate, dedicated and committed businessmen and women, striving to make a difference.

I am deeply humbled to be a part of this great achievement, and honoured to be part of a team of people who are so supportive.”

Charmaine was equally proud to win the AHI corporate business person of the year and sincerely grateful for the recognition.

“I was also happy a Toti person won the entrepreneur business person of the year award. Louise is a dynamic young lady who is an inspiration to young and upcoming entrepreneurs.

I think Toti did so well because as a business forum, we really strive to be involved and participate in all the events of the AHI and in our own community.

It’s our mission to grow our town and ensure Toti gets the recognition it deserves, as we have many talented people who go unnoticed.”