The News24 Business Awards celebrate the best in corporate South Africa.
We recognise companies and CEOs who are doing excellent work in building their businesses, while also going above and beyond in strategic leadership, client service, transparency and building a better SA.
Using a unique set of criteria, we judged companies on a range of measures, including:
- A survey of more than 5 100 people on their experience with insurers, banks and medical schemes, including their satisfaction with costs, client service and claims.
- News24's assessments of companies' platforms and products - along with their transparency in communication and their contribution to South Africa.
- An evaluation of companies' strategy, shareholder value created and business performance by our team of financial reporters, as well as fund managers and analysts.
An actuarial consultant audited our assessments and the final rankings.
The News24 Business Awards were presented at a gala function on 16 March in Cape Town.
CEO of the Year
Steve Phiri
Steve Phiri is the CEO of Royal Bafokeng Platinum. Under his leadership, the company has been instrumental in developing a new, world-class platinum-group metal (PGM) mine, one of the few new mines to be developed in recent years. His company is fully capitalised and deleveraged and is attracting the attention of companies that could invest anywhere in the world.
Phiri, who has been CEO of Royal Bafokeng Platinum since 2010, also guided the company in achieving real change in its community, and has earned a reputation as an outspoken advocate against corruption.
As he retires as CEO, the award recognises the shareholder and stakeholder value that Phiri helped to build. He leaves behind a company that will continue to play a key role in creating wealth and prosperity in the platinum belt for years to come.
CEO of RBPlat Steve Phiri receives the award for CEO of the year. News24 Editor-in-Chief Adriaan Basson presented the award. (Natalie Gabriels)
CEO of RBPlat Steve Phiri receives the award for CEO of the year. News24 Editor-in-Chief Adriaan Basson presented the award. (Natalie Gabriels)
Company of the Year
Woolworths
The Company of the Year award recognises a JSE-listed business that delivered stellar shareholder returns over the past year (and medium term), while also excelling in communication and corporate responsibility. With inputs from fund managers and analysts, our team of journalists looked at companies that delivered in terms of strategy and execution, and also contributed to South Africa. Woolworths was a stand-out.
Woolworths CEO Roy Bagattini accepts the award for Company of the Year. News24 Editor-in-Chief Adriaan Basson presented the award. (Natalie Gabriels)
Woolworths CEO Roy Bagattini accepts the award for Company of the Year. News24 Editor-in-Chief Adriaan Basson presented the award. (Natalie Gabriels)
Bank of the Year
Investec
The News24 Bank of the Year prize was awarded to Investec, which not only scored well in our survey among customers, but also outperformed in creating shareholder and stakeholder returns over the past year (and medium term). Professional investors commended the bank for strong improvements in its financial metrics and restructuring, while our team lauded its clarity in communication.
Investec Group's finance director Nishlan Samujh receives the award for Bank of the year. News24 Business senior companies reporter Londiwe Buthelezi presented the award. (Natalie Gabriels)
Investec Group's finance director Nishlan Samujh receives the award for Bank of the year. News24 Business senior companies reporter Londiwe Buthelezi presented the award. (Natalie Gabriels)
Long-term Insurer of the Year
Sanlam
Sanlam received high satisfaction ratings among its clients in a News24 survey, while it also scored well when the News24 Business team assessed its product offering, communication and transparency. Our team of financial journalists, along with professional investors, singled out the company for its strong execution of a highly successful strategy, which has resulted in market gains and expansion.
Sanlam group CEO, Paul Hanratty receives the award. He is pictured alongside News24 Business senior companies reporter Londiwe Buthelezi who presented the award for Long-term Insurer of the Year. (Natalie Gabriels)
Sanlam group CEO, Paul Hanratty receives the award. He is pictured alongside News24 Business senior companies reporter Londiwe Buthelezi who presented the award for Long-term Insurer of the Year. (Natalie Gabriels)
Short-term Insurer of the Year
OUTsurance
OUTsurance was praised for its innovation and bold strategy, with the insurer also receiving high client satisfaction scores in the News24 survey. Our team commended it for how it communicated its products and how easy it was to understand its cover.
CEO of Outsurance Danie Matthee accepts the award for Short-term Insurer of the Year. He is pictured alongside News24 Business deputy editor Ahmed Areff, who presented the award. (Natalie Gabriels)
CEO of Outsurance Danie Matthee accepts the award for Short-term Insurer of the Year. He is pictured alongside News24 Business deputy editor Ahmed Areff, who presented the award. (Natalie Gabriels)
Medical Scheme of the Year
Bonitas
Our team of journalists gave Bonitas a perfect score for how easy it was to understand its offering, and it also received high marks in other areas of assessment. In addition, it achieved high client satisfaction scores in a News24 survey of more than 5 000 people.
Bonitas principal officer Lee Callakoppen receives the award for Medical Scheme of the Year. He is pictured alongside News24 Business Editor Helena Wasserman who presented the award. (Natalie Gabriels)
Bonitas principal officer Lee Callakoppen receives the award for Medical Scheme of the Year. He is pictured alongside News24 Business Editor Helena Wasserman who presented the award. (Natalie Gabriels)
At the News24 Business Awards event (from left), News24 editor in chief Adriaan Basson, CEO of Sanlam Group CEO Paul Hanratty, Investec Group's finance director Nishlan Samujh, Royal Bafokeng Platinum CEO Steve Phiri, OUTsurance CEO Danie Matthee, News24 Business editor Helena Wasserman, Bonitas principal officer Lee Callakoppen and Woolworths CEO Roy Bagattini. (Natalie Gabriels)
At the News24 Business Awards event (from left), News24 editor in chief Adriaan Basson, CEO of Sanlam Group CEO Paul Hanratty, Investec Group's finance director Nishlan Samujh, Royal Bafokeng Platinum CEO Steve Phiri, OUTsurance CEO Danie Matthee, News24 Business editor Helena Wasserman, Bonitas principal officer Lee Callakoppen and Woolworths CEO Roy Bagattini. (Natalie Gabriels)
When you subscribe to News24, you gain access to the best of our business and financial journalism. Join us for in-depth news, opinions and analysis on the latest macro-economic trends, markets, personal finance and consumer behaviour.
Built with Shorthand