First round of champions announced by Oscars of South African business

Shortlisted candidates have been selected and the winners will be revealed at the National Business Awards ceremony on 15 November 2013 at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg. The annual platform allows for corporate leaders to be acknowledged on a global scale - celebrating a success in South Africa's business and government sectors. Prestigious icons, business leaders and government heads such as Ansie Ramalho (Institute of Directors), Pumla Ncapayi (General Trade & Investment South Africa), Thulani Nzima (SA Tourism), Honourable Minister Elizabeth Peters (Department of Transport) and Geoffrey Qhena (Industrial Development Corporation) will be present at the event.

Karla Fletcher, Awards Director at TOPCO Media, said: "It is apparent to me more than ever that competitive businesses are key drivers to our economy. Companies at the top see the importance of constantly challenging themselves against the very best in the industry and this keeps us as a nation innovative, more productive and having a global competitive edge. The initiatives and innovations seen by this year's entrants are ground breaking! I am therefore thrilled to announce the 2013 finalists and wish the judges the best of luck in choosing the winners as this year it will be a mammoth task."

On 17 October 2013, a highly esteemed panel of judges gave the closing nod of approval towards this year's winners list. Judges include Lulama Mokhoba (SABC Limited), Raj Dhanlall (PricewaterhouseCoopers), Ms Nomaxabiso Majokweni (BUSA) and Mr Dennis Dykes (Nedbank) - to name but a few.

Top Performing Companies is the official media partner of the National Business Awards. South Africa's star business winners will be mentioned in the publication's added supplement, commending their victorious gain.

Are you eager to know the concluding results of the National Business Awards? Follow us on Twitter (@Topco_Media and @ManagementZA).

For more information, visit www.nationalbusinessawards.co.za to view a full list of 2013 Finalists, the previous awards gallery and the 2012 Judging video.