South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at the SA Premier Business Awards at the Sandton Convention Centre on 9 April 2015. He urged the country’s entrepreneurs to think of their businesses as building blocks of social development, and not merely as vehicles for earning profits.
By Ebrahim Moolla
"As you build your businesses, please consider how they can contribute to building social cohesion. Enterprise is not just an economic good. It is also a social good. Business is not solely about profits. It is also about serving a broader purpose," he said.
Now in its third year, the Awards is an annual initiative by the Department of Trade and Industry, Proudly SA and Brand SA that recognises business excellence and honours enterprises across various sectors that promote "the spirit of success and innovation, as well as job creation, good business ethics and quality".
Minister of Trade and Industry Dr Rob Davies said government was doing it all it could to make business development as painless as possible. "As government, we are trying to ease these burdens to offer greater support to black businesses. We are seeking to create an environment that recognises and celebrates those individuals and businesses that have performed beyond exception."
Businesswoman Dr Anna Mokgogong was the big winner on the night, scooping the Lifetime Achievement award for her efforts at the head of a R18-billion-a-year empire that has interests in healthcare, technology, logistics, mining and energy. Mokgogong is a founding member and group executive chairperson of Community Investment Holdings, 
chairperson of Jasco Electronics Holdings and executive chairperson of Afrocentric Investment Corporation.
Other winners included Hazleton Pumps International (SMME/Manufacturer), Canvas and Tent (Exporter), Ekurhuleni Artisans & Skills Training Centre (Women-Owned Business), DNA Brand Architects (Young Entrepreneur), CCI Call Centres (Investor of the Year), Little Green Number (Proudly South African Enterprise) and Access Advertising (Play Your Part).
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