More than 200 entries were received. After reducing the entrants’ judges had to select winners for the seven categories from 15 deserving finalists who were selected to advance to the final round of judging.
TCC was founded in 2001 as a two-man agency and today is one of the largest private advertising groups in South Africa by staff and turnover, with a targeted presence in Africa and plans to expand further into emerging markets.
On winning the ‘creative’ award Gil Oved says: “On a continent faced with huge unemployment challenges, entrepreneurship emerges as a solution for providing a livelihood for Africa’s populace. Closer home, South Africa’s unemployment is not abating, rising to 26.4% in the first quarter of this year.
Youth unemployment in the country presents even more frightening figures, with estimates pitching the figure at over 50%. Government does not have the capacity to create the volume of jobs needed and the private sector does not have the answers.”
Christo Botes spokesperson for the awards, said that the judging process was extremely challenging this year.
“We are humbled by this award and excited about entrepreneurship. Never before has there been such an explosion of young, successful entrepreneurs globally and we are inspired for our plans for the trajectory of TCC on the continent,” says Ran Neu-Ner.
TCC are the brains behind the successful Product of the Year awards, held annually.
Other 2015 category winners include:
Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year:
Bryan Anderson, co-owner and co-founder of Delta Steam Systems (Based in Cape Town)
Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year and Innovator of the Year:
Nadir Khamissa & Ahmed Shaazim Khamissa, owners and founders of Hello Group (JHB)
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year:
Kim Whitaker, co-founder and co-owner of Once in Cape Town (Cape Town)
Job Creator of the Year:
Lewis Thomas, owner and founder of Partners Hair Design (Cape Town)
Judges Prize:
Ncamisile Maphumulo, of Coastal Nephrology Centre (KwaZulu-Natal)
