South African business leaders honored at AABLA

The annual 2015 All African Business Leaders Awards (AABLA), Africa's most prestigious business awards, will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa next week in partnership with CNBC Africa, and will recognize the pioneers of Southern Africa's business world. and praise the innovators.

AABLA's second regional round will be held in Sandton on 30 September, with the announcement of this year's winners and five of the awards, with Southern Africa's finalists revealed for their significant contributions to the region's prosperity. We will be celebrating our anniversary.

Southern Africa's best in business will then compete against other regional winners from West and East Africa at the All-Africa AABLA Finale to be held on November 13th, where Africa's best and brightest across seven different categories will compete against other regional winners from West Africa and East Africa. We will fight for the title of business person.

?The All Africa Business Leaders Awards, in partnership with CNBC Africa, celebrates honors highlighted by confidence and extraordinary passion. The award recognizes memorable business leaders who have made a clear impact in their respective fields by demonstrating innovation, integrity, accountability and best practices on the continent. Roberta Naicker, Managing Director of ABN Group, said:

After the Southern Africa round, AABLA will move on to West Africa and celebrate the region's business leaders on October 22nd, after a successful run in East Africa on September 15th.

Regional winners will be recognized as the leading African business leaders in their respective fields at the esteemed Pan-African Business Leaders Awards in partnership with the CNBC Pan-African Finale hosted by Bakgatla ba Kgafela in Johannesburg on 13 November 2015. Compete for the ultimate title of icon.

The finalists for each category in the Southern Africa Round are:
Young business leader of the year? South Africa
Ashley Uys, Managing Director, Real World Diagnostics
Sylvester Chalk, Founder of DNA BrandArchitects
John Nikolakakis, Romans Pizza CEO
Entrepreneur of the Year? Southern Africa presented by Sea Harvest
Mr. Samuel Seeff, Chairman of Seeff Properties
John Nikolakakis, Romans Pizza CEO
Braam van Huysteen, founder of Techytown
Jason Xenopoulos, NATIVE CEO
Business Leader of the Year? Southern Africa from Bosch
Edward Kieswetter, CEO Alexander Forbes
Dr. Johan van Zyl, CEO of Sanlam Group
Sisa Ngebulana, CEO of Billion Group
Business Woman of the Year – South Africa
Jeanne Groenewald, Founder of Elgin Pastured Chickens
Natasha Sideris, Founder of Tashas
Luisa Mogera and Gloria Serobe, Weihold
Philanthropist of the Year? South Africa
Solly Noor of the Solly and Zohra Noor Foundation
Wendy Ackerman of the Ackerman Foundation
Wendy Appelbaum of the Wendy Appelbaum Foundation

The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Gauteng Growth and Development Authority (GGDA), will again be selected by a panel of judges and announced on the evening. As a new category, the Industrialist of the Year category will follow a similar format.

?South African business leaders are always very strong contenders and we look forward to seeing who wins this year's regional event and will represent the region at the All-African finals in Johannesburg.? Alexander Leibner, head of AABLA's producer ABN Productions, commented:

With the 2015 AABLA hosts dressed by Carducci, guests will once again be treated to the best of Jaguar Land Rover at each regional event.