Top performing SMEs were recognised at the Black Umbrellas 6th annual National Enterprise Development Awards (NEDA) in Johannesburg.
Black Umbrellas established the NEDAs in recognition of the achievements of the entrepreneurs in their business incubation programme. These awards highlight the hard work and dedication that goes into ensuring that black-owned businesses are sustainable, profitable and that they create job opportunities for those in their communities.
The prestigious 2018 ceremony was hosted in Sandton, and was attended by some of the most influential entrepreneurs, prominent business people and the Honourable President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, who at the event was wearing his Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation Chairperson hat. The businesses within the Black Umbrellas incubation programme over the past 6 years have collectively generated a turnover of R2.6 billion, created over 11 000 jobs and have a combined Net Asset Value of R 1.1 billion.
The overall winners for the night were as below:
- Most Jobs Created – Debar Ceramics
- Best Performing Company – Modi Mining
- Best BU Ambassador – HSE Matters
- Incubator of the year – Lephalale Incubator
- National Overall Winner – Debar Ceramics
Speaking at the ceremony, Black Umbrellas CEO, Ms Seapei Mafoyane said, “The NEDA awards are more than just a ceremony, they are a celebration of black excellence in business. We are proud of all the SMEs within our programme. They have performed admirably over the past year and have changed thousands of lives through job creation and economic contribution to the country.”
