Annual Awards

KLCBT Annual Awards is a showcase of Excellence, rewarding outstanding business achievements, sound business practices and recognising businesses and individuals who truly make a difference within the Kruger Lowveld Community.

This competition is always extremely tough and every business announced as a finalist can certainly be proud of their business achievement, particularly in the current economic conditions.  The finalists and winners found a way to not just survive, but excel in difficult times.  For this reason we show a 30 second promotional video of each and every finalist. 

With only 15 awards given, this event is highly prestigious and the only one of its kind in the region.  After an extensive adjudication process, the finalists and winners are selected. The process includes telephonic surveys with clients and suppliers of the business, followed by an evaluation of their financial growth and corporate social investment.  Surprisingly, the entry form is only two pages long and all the hard work is done by KLCBT, not the contestant.  There are no personal interviews and no public voting system.  We choose the best business on all levels, awards are given based on merit, not popularity or perception.

DESCRIPTION AND CRITERIA OF THE CATEGORIES:

Small Business Enterprise

Small businesses, within the field of general business (e.g. financial, commerce, industry, agriculture, medical, services, etc.  No tourism enterprise can qualify)

< R5million turnover per annum

Medium Business Enterprise

Medium businesses, within the field of general business (e.g. financial, commerce, industry, agriculture, medical, services, etc.  No tourism enterprise can qualify)

R5 million to R20 million turnover per annum

Large Business Enterprise

Large businesses, within the field of general business (e.g. financial, commerce, industry, agriculture, medical, services, etc.  No tourism enterprise can qualify)

> R20 million turnover per annum

Tourism SMME

The Tourism Enterprise award includes all tourism related businesses, irrespective of the size of the organisation or the focus of the industry (e.g. food, accommodation, travel, tours & safaris or entertainment. It is a business who physically provide a service directly to tourists.)

<R10 million turnover per annum

Large Tourism Enterprise

The Tourism Enterprise award includes all tourism related businesses, irrespective of the size of the organisation or the focus of the industry (e.g. food, accommodation, travel, tours & safaris or entertainment.  It is a business who physically provide a service directly to tourists.)

>R10 million turnover per annum

Emerging Entrepreneur (Replace Entrepreneur)

The Award focuses on the SMME sector; specifically businesses which have been established within the past two years and gives recognition to innovation and job creation through the business venture and the uniqueness of the enterprise and product.

Sustainability Award (Replace Environmental)

The Sustainability Award will recognise excellence for those activities which are developed, planned and managed in accordance with recognised best practice for the benefit of the sustainability of human society and the environment on which we depend.  This can be an environmental rehabilitation project, green building project, recycling related project, or a business “going greener”, etc.

Community Service

This award will be given to a non-governmental, non-political, non-profit organisation, which focuses on the well-being, community outreach and development of the community.  Community service organisations with a national basis will not be considered.

Innovation Award

The Innovation award is one of our new awards. Any business or project or initiative that provides something out of the ordinary to the visitor or the client.  An exciting new product that will enhance the suite of tourism or business offerings in the beautiful Kruger Lowveld.

Customer Service Award

This is a business operating for longer than two years which prides themselves for excellent customer service.  All finalists will automatically be entered for this category, plus any business who wish to enter for this specifically, will be considered for this award.  The winner will be chosen based on a client / customer survey.

Social Investment / Philanthropy

Any company or individual who prides themselves in investing many hours and or a lot of funds into social investment.  All finalists will automatically be entered for this category, plus any business or individual who wish to enter for this specifically, will be considered for the award.  The decision will be made by a panel of experts in the field, based on the information supplied in the entry form.  If a business wins the award, it shall be called the Social Investment Award, if the winner is an individual, it shall be called the philanthropy award.

Company Health & Wellness

In today’s stressful environment and the desire for companies to perform at optimum productivity, it is commendable when the business implements programmes to encourage their staff to be healthy and fit.  All finalists will automatically be entered for this category, plus any business who prides themselves in providing programmes, opportunities and events to have a fitter and healthier team, will qualify for this award.  The winner will be selected by a panel of experts based on the information supplied in the entry form.

Township / Rural Enterprise

There are vast opportunities lying outside the borders or our cities and larger towns.  It is not the easiest place to establish a business, but can certainly be very rewarding.  This award will focus on those who are an example of a gem in the township or rural community.  This business should be able to outshine any city business any day.  The criteria will be the same as for other business categories and judged in the same manner.

Young Entrepreneur (for below 35s)

This award will be given to a young person not a young business.  The business will qualify if in existence for longer than two years.  This person should inspire other young entrepreneurs to reach great heights and compete head-on with the more experienced business people.  The recipient will be an entrepreneur who capitalises on their youthful energy and their association with the younger generation with their unique needs and expectations.

President’s Award

For the fourth time since its inception in 2015, the President of the KLCBT, at his sole discretion, will give recognition to an individual, or group, or company or institution, who’s contribution to the community and the economic growth of our region goes above and beyond the criteria and requirements of any of the other awards. They are a well-known presence, deeply rooted into our society. Them not being in existence, is almost unimaginable..

Contact Zelda or Linda for more information.