The National Small Business Council Business Awards afford all players in the sector u set one roof to network, exchange ideas while celebrating each other’s success.
But due to the coronavirus pandemic entrepreneurs will be denied this feat as it will be held virtually in keeping with health protocol.
This year the awards will be on November 12 NSBC founder CEO Mike Anderson said these awards are held annually to honour and celebrate the men and women behind the country’s fastest growing sector.
Anderson told Vutivi Business News that the inspiration behind the awards was the challenges that SMME owner face.
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“The idea of these awards was conceived twelve years ago. The inspiration behind the awards was that it is tough out there for SMEs to survive and prosper.
“The awards was designed to inspire, encourage and recognize excellence within the SME sector and the mercurial entrepreneurs who own and operate these businesses, “ he said.
Anderson said that the Awards, also known as the South African Small Business Awards, is the largest and most successful awards programme of its kind in the world.
“It recognizes the tireless journey and excellence of SMEs and SME entrepreneurs throughout South Africa,” he noted.
The Awards are divided into five categories: National Small Business Champion, National Entrepreneur Champion, National Young Entrepreneur Champion, National Woman in Business Champion, and the Special Awards recognizing excellence that arises every year.
Prizes are in the format of massive recognition from the time the award is won and for years after, Anderson said.
Anderson also told Vutivi Business that the NSBC is the largest small business organization in South Africa and Africa and is currently the fastest growing organization of its kind in the world.
“The sole purpose of the NSBC is fostering the sustainability and growth of the small business sector with the primary mission of driving job creation through small businesses,” Anderson said.
The council had many initiatives focused on small business development and these initiatives were highly recognized and have proven to be extremely successful.
He also spoke highly of the significance of small business in the South African economy.
“Small business is the mainstay of our economy and the engines of our society. The future of job creation will come from the small business sector.
“Sixty-six percent of our working population work in a small business, and by 2030 more than 90% of the working population will work in a small business,” he said
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 South African Small Business Awards gala morning function will be a virtual online event to be hosted on 12 November.
An experienced panel of judges assess the entries and based on the criteria for each category select and announce the finalists.
The finalists and a prestigious guest list of big and small business decision makers are then invited to attend the glitzy online gala event where the winners are announced.
