Winners of the Wild Coast Sun’s inaugural Eagles Business Awards, created to bolster a diversified business community, have been announced.

A gala dinner was held at Sun International’s only beachfront resort, 170km south of Durban, on March 10, where General Manager Peter Tshidi honoured winners with certificates.

“Small companies are the backbone of our economy, accounting for about 60% of all employment in South Africa. At Wild Coast Sun, we are proud to help enable this vibrant sector with the skills and training they need to be a success. At the same time, it is imperative that we reward those who have gone above and beyond,” Tshidi said.

The Eagles Business Awards target a broad scope of categories to ensure that all entrepreneurs, no matter what their sector, are motivated.

This year’s ultimate winners, the Businesswoman and Businessman of the year – Zenande Ndava from Queens Greens, and – Siphesihle Gebe from Pump Printers, each received a R20 000 office setup voucher, a grant voucher worth R150 000, as well as 12 months of business support and mentoring.

The 2022 category winners are:

Best business in Agriculture – Anz Greenfields

Best business in Food and Beverages – Red Ruby Debonairs Solutions

Best business in Entertainment – VDS Concepts

Best business in Funeral Services – Imbumba Funeral Services

Best business in Protection, Properties and Construction – Brainwave Projects

Best business in Tourism & Hospitality – Lunganakho Business Enterprises

Best business in Professional Services/Consulting – Intelekt Holdings – Pondoland Times

Best business in Sport – Community Sports Club

These businesses were awarded with trophies and will be part of Wild Coast Sun’s mentorship programme for 12 months, which includes skills development with Sun Academy.

The guest of honour was Vukile Mhlelembana, Executive Mayor of Alfred Nzo District Municipality, who committed to support the Wild Coast Sun’s Award due to the positive impact that the Resort plays in the region. “We encourage entrepreneurs to start their own businesses to create jobs and stimulate the economy. If we all work together we can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Mhlelembana said.

Tshidi and the resort have a long history of being involved in uplifting the community in which it operates. Last year, Wild Coast Sun launched an Academy focusing on providing world-class training and skills development across the hospitality, gaming, and food services sectors in a first for the region.

Wild Coast Sun SED Manager Bandile Mdliva worked tirelessly with the outgoing Eagles Business Awards task team to ensure the success of the ceremony, promising an even bigger event next year with more corporate partners on board to support.

“We will continue to play our part as a large corporate – we are only as strong as our surrounding community,” Tshidi concluded.

//ENDS