National Presidential MSME & Cooperatives Awards to Celebrate Excellence in Small Business Development

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The National Presidential MSME & Cooperatives Awards, South Africa’s premier event dedicated to recognise micro, small, medium and cooperative will be held on 22 November 2024 at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand.

This prestigious event, hosted by the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) in partnership with the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA), Co-operative Banks Development Agency and 22 on Sloane amongst other partners aims to spotlight and reward the achievements of South Africa’s top-performing MSMEs, cooperatives, and ecosystem enablers who drive growth and transformation across the nation.

The awards will honour businesses that embody innovation, commitment to local development, and entrepreneurial spirit.

With applications and entries now closed, selected finalists have advanced through rigorous district and provincial pitches, showcasing their excellence and resilience across various categories.

Categories for this year’s MSME Awards are:

Youth-Led MSME of the Year
Township SMME of the Year
Women-led SMME of the Year
MSMEs Owned by Persons with Disabilities of the Year
Cooperative of the Year
Best Employing Cooperative of the Year
Best Performing Rural Community-Based Initiative of the Year
Best Performing Urban (Township) Community-Based Initiative of the Year
Startup Business of the year
Homegrown MSME of the year
Breaking Ground MSME of the year
Business Development Services Provider of the year
Social Enterprise of the year
Rural-based MSME of the year

In an era of economic transformation as emphasised by the commitments of the newly formed Government of National Unity, the awards underscore the government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment where private-sector innovation and enterprise can flourish.

According to Minister of Small Business Development, Hon. Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the awards are about recognising the role that MSMEs play in generating employment, stimulating economic activity, and fostering resilience across communities in South Africa.

“South Africa is intentional about growing the economy and boosting entrepreneurship as a key strategy for job creation,” said Ndabeni. “Our role is not to create jobs directly but to create an enabling environment where MSMEs and cooperatives can drive employment and sustainable economic development.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa will officiate the ceremony, personally handing awards to the winners, underscoring the importance of MSME development in advancing South Africa’s broader economic goals.

This celebration comes as a testament to the remarkable achievements of MSMEs and cooperatives, which have shown resilience and adaptability, particularly in challenging economic conditions.

Among last year’s awardees were Degrecia Lebegang Rapoo of Classic Oriental Consultancy, a women-led enterprise that earned the Business Development Service Provider of the Year, and Lesego Holzapfel of Bokamoso Foods, which took home the Social Enterprise of the Year award. Their accomplishments exemplify the impact that small businesses have on communities and the economy at large.

The 2024 National Presidential MSME & Cooperatives Awards ceremony will also launch the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), a global initiative celebrated in over 200 countries, to inspire and empower entrepreneurs around the world. GEW highlights innovative solutions and resilient businesses that shape economies and enrich societies, resonating with the core values of the National Presidential MSME & Cooperatives Awards.

About Post Author

LINDO MNISI

Lindo Mnisi is a qualified and experienced journalist and communicator, having worked in some of SA's reputable newsrooms. He is the editor of Online Magazine, a platform renowned for its comprehensive coverage of South African content. Online Magazine is a trusted source of information across a diverse array of topics, including business, property, education, music, television, film, travel, fashion, food, sports, and tech.

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