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Johannesburg – It is that time of the year once again when the Gauteng Provincial Government, under the auspices of the Department of Economic Development, is looking to honour a select group of women who are deemed laudable recipients of the prestigious 2008 ‘ Passing the Torch Awards .'
Nominations are now open for members of the public to forward the names of nominees who possess and embrace the characteristics of an award winner. Self nominations are welcome. Nominations are open until Friday 25 th July 2008.
An initiative of Gauteng MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs, Paul Mashatile, the awards pay tribute to women from the province who have stood out in their efforts to play a positive role in enriching the provincial economy. Since inception in 2005, the awards have played a critical part in bringing to the fore outstanding women who epitomise success and are an inspiration to those around them.
“We are honoured to have the opportunity to recognise women from within the province who have excelled and contributed to the economic growth of the province. One of our mandates as the Department of Economic Development is to act as a catalyst for the growth and advancement of the province's entrepreneurial sector. We also place great emphasis on ensuring that we provide women, who have traditionally been marginalised from mainstream business, with the requisite opportunities to advance themselves and their businesses” said Mashatile.
“Our commitment to developing both entrepreneurs and women is therefore fittingly demonstrated through the “Passing the Torch Awards”, an initiative that celebrates the accomplishments of those women who have been applauded by their peers as deserving recipients of this magnanimous accolade,” said Mashatile.
Nominations are open to women who fall within the following six categories:
• Women in Finance
• Women in Film
• Women in Infrastructure Development
• Women in Services & Manufacturing
• Women in Tourism & Hospitality
• Women in Trade
In order to be eligible for the awards, nominees should:
- Own their own business and should have been in operation for not less than 2 years
- Show entrepreneurial skills in running their business
- Have made a tangible difference in the category for which they are nominated
- Have positively influenced their work place, community, and/or field of endeavor
- Have contributed to economic wealth, job creation and growth
- Demonstrate extraordinary leadership capabilities and should have initiated change through innovation
- Have overcome professional obstacles to achieve their goals
- Have demonstrated that they are results orientated
The Department of Economic Development will consider all nominations received and women with businesses are allowed to nominate themselves. Enquiries and requests for nomination forms can de directed to:
Britespark Communications
Tel: 011 315 0092
Fax: 011 312 1321
E-mail: brite2@britespark.co.za or brite4@britespark.co.za
Finalists will be announced at a media function to be announced in due course.
The winners in each category will be recognised and awarded at a Gala Dinner event to be held on Thursday, 28 August 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre (SCC) in Sandton.
The 2007 winners include illustrious names such as Isabelle Rorke of Anamazing Workshop, Zodwa Manase of Manase & Associates, Shereen Bogosing of Inimba Holdings, Zandile Nkosi of Siphindlie Cleaning Services, Beryl Shuttleworth of Herbal House, and Melina Langa of Memangeni Lodge & Conference Centre.
The Department of Economic Development is primarily responsible for ensuring that the right environmental framework and initiatives are put in place to foster economic growth and job creation in the province, and thereby push back the boundaries of poverty.
Ends…..
For Media Enquiries:
Contact Percy Mthimkhulu
0823791913 – 011 355 8000
MEC's Spokesperson
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