The Sunday Times Business Times hosted its annual Top 100 Companies Awards banquet last night, with mining holding company Assore Limited announced as South Africa’s top company. CEO of Shoprite Holdings, Whitey Basson, took the Business Leader of the Year while Brian Joffe, CEO of Bidvest, was presented with the 2011 Lifetime Achiever Award. Impala Platinum was handed the 2011 Sunday Times Corporate Social Investment Leadership Award.
“To be selected by your peers as one of the most important figures in business is the ultimate accolade,” says Ray Hartley, editor of the Sunday Times of Basson’s win. “Winners who have previously been awarded in this category include Johann Rupert, Maria Ramos, Phuthuma Nhleko and Adrian Gore, to name but a few.”
The event took place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg and the country’s top business and government leaders came together to recognise those who continue to make a difference to the South African economy.
Assore Limited was awarded 2011’s top honours as it had achieved the best growth in shareholder returns over a five-year period, ending in September this year.
“I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of Assore Limited and all its employees,” said Chris Cory, CEO of Assore Limited. “I think that the key to the company’s success is the focus that family control brings to the business and the Sacco family has successfully kept the business intact for the last 70 years. Being honoured as the top company in South Africa is a corporate milestone that we’ve wanted to achieve for a very long time.”
Marcia Klein, editor of Business Times, said “it is a confirmation of Impala Platinum’s firm commitment to corporate social investment that this is the second year that it has won this prestigious award.”
“The award reflects Impala Platinum’s commitment to the Makgomo Chrome project; run together with communities, Impala helps to renovate schools and to bring water and electricity to 1 500 households in South Africa. Impala has proven itself as a good corporate citizen to the communities in which the company lives and works.”
A special mention was made about South Africa’s Royal Companies – these have been placed in the Top 20 company list for three consecutive years. The Royal Companies included Assore, Capitec Bank, Kumba Iron Ore, Howden Africa, Shoprite Holdings and Pinnacle Technology.
The Sunday Times Business Times Top 100 Companies Survey will be published in the Sunday Times this Sunday, 29 October 2011.
Photo from left to right: Cyril Ramaphosa Executive Chairman Shanduka Group, Brian Joffe CEO the Bidvest Group, Maria Ramos CEO ABSA Group Limited and Trevor Manual, Minister of the National Planning Commission
