Gloria Serobe honoured with the Life Achievement Award at the National Presidential MSME & Cooperatives Awards 2024
Read Time:2 Minute, 20 Second
Gloria Serobe, an iconic advocate for economic empowerment and gender equality, was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 3rd Annual National Presidential MSME & Cooperatives Awards.
Hosted by the Department of Small Business Development in collaboration with its partners, the awards celebrated South Africa’s leading entrepreneurial visionaries and changemakers.
As the founder of Women Investment Portfolio Holdings (WIPHOLD) and CEO of its financial services subsidiary, WipCapital, Serobe has pioneered initiatives that empower women, particularly in rural areas, to participate meaningfully in the economy. A native of Gugulethu, Cape Town, her ground-breaking work has paved the way for economic inclusion and social transformation, positively impacting thousands of lives.
Her leadership at WIPHOLD, the first women-owned company to list on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), has catalysed change, focusing on investments in infrastructure, energy, and agribusiness, industries critical to South Africa’s growth. Under her stewardship, WIPHOLD has advanced financial inclusion for women from marginalised backgrounds, creating a ripple effect of empowerment that uplifts entire communities.
Serobe’s contributions extend beyond business into policy-making and philanthropy. As a member of the Presidential State-Owned Enterprises Council, she has championed transformation, governance, and inclusive growth. Her philanthropic efforts, which emphasise education and mentorship, further underscore her lifelong commitment to addressing the root causes of economic inequality.
The awards ceremony, held at Gallagher Convention Centre, featured President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams as keynote speakers. They recognised entrepreneurs’ vital role in driving economic growth, job creation, and addressing social challenges.
In his keynote address, President Ramaphosa highlighted the importance of MSMEs as catalysts for sustainable growth and innovation. “International experience shows that MSMEs are drivers of sustainable growth. Countries with more MSMEs tend to have lower levels of inequality. Entrepreneurs are the drivers of innovation, and we must foster their growth to build a thriving economy,” said President Ramaphosa.
Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams emphasised the importance of embracing innovation and technology in entrepreneurship. “Countries with higher levels of entrepreneurship tend to be more innovative and resilient. We must harness opportunities like artificial intelligence to avoid a widening digital divide while solving social challenges,” said Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams.
Other Highlights from the Awards
- Categories: Entrepreneurs were celebrated across diverse categories, including MSME of the Year, Youth-Led MSME, Township SMME, and Social Enterprise of the Year.
- Prizes: Each category winner received a R200,000 cash grant, with the overall MSME of the Year, Arion Power, awarded an additional R1,000,000 prize.
In addition to Gloria Serobe, Mike Nkuna, founder of the Masingita Group of Companies, received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his transformative contributions to property development and economic growth.
The National Presidential MSME & Cooperatives Awards continue to be a cornerstone in fostering entrepreneurial excellence and advancing South Africa’s economic transformation agenda.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0
