Top Women Awards Winners announced

Top Woman Award

The winners of the Top Women Awards 2007 were announced last night at a dazzling ceremony at Kyalami Castle. Entrepreneur of the Year went to Cheron Kraak

ABSA Bank and Billabong's top women among coveted award winners

The winners of the Top Women Awards 2007 were announced last night at a dazzling ceremony at Kyalami Castle. Entrepreneur of the Year went to Cheron Kraak, for her instrumental contribution to the success of SA's biggest surf and lifestyle brand, Billabong, while Top CEO and Top Woman in Business went to ABSA Bank's Zarina Bassa.

Bassa, who in the late 80s was one of the first black females to graduate as an accountant went on to become the first ever woman to head up a South African private bank in 2005. Commenting on her success within this characteristically male-dominated environment, Bassa says, "There were almost no role models when I first entered the business world. My role model was my mother. She taught me to set my own limits and never allow others to do that for me."

Bassa continues, "It's a very different South Africa we live in today and I'm delighted to share this stage with so many extraordinary women."

Meanwhile, the judges named Tamie Mpotulo, Executive Director of PMA Consulting, as the top female government figure for her contribution to transformation and employment equity within the public sector.

The full list of winners includes:

Individual Awards
* Cheron Kraak (CEO), Billabong
* Zarina Bassa (Executive Director, Private Banking), ABSA
* Tamie Mpotulo (Executive Director), PMA Consulting
* Renett Grové (Managing Director), Renett Grové Training Associates 
* Ingrid Kast (CEO), DAV Professional Placement

Company / Government Department Awards
* KZN Oils (Pty) Ltd
* Enaleni Cipla Pharmaceuticals Ltd
* Kelly, a Division of Kelly Group Ltd
* Mangwanani Private African Day Spa
* Momento's of Africa
* Kgasi Trading cc
* Department of Public Works
* Department of Local Government, Gauteng
* Tourism Kwazulu-Natal
  
Tahra Sergeant, Events Manager at Topco Media - organisers of the awards initiative - comments, "The Top Women Awards has once again provided a platform for recognising the South African businesswomen we can all be proud of.  Last night's ceremony brought the who's who of both the business and government worlds together to celebrate these inspirational individuals, companies and government departments." 

Sergeant continues, "Personal and organisational benefits are valuable and deserving by-products of the Top Women Awards. The exposure these winners receive in recognition of their major nation-building efforts will no doubt propel them into a new league of success by showcasing their achievements to both local and international investment audiences."

Visit www.businesswomen.co.za for more information.