Proudly South African to celebrate outstanding members

Newly appointed Proudly South African CEO Manana Moroka said, "We are proud to announce the second year of the Proudly South African Homegrown Awards. These awards recognize the achievement and economic contribution of campaign members to job creation and economic development. The time has come for all Proudly South African member companies - both large and small - to celebrate their achievements by submitting entries for one or more of the six award categories."

Adjudicated by a distinguished panel of Proudly South African leaders from business, government, trade unions and the community, "Homegrown 2005" will provide a platform to showcase the best that South Africa has to offer at an awards ceremony to be held in February 2006.

Apart from a prestigious trophy and award certificate, the winning companies and their achievements will receive widespread exposure through extensive media profiling.

Both President Thabo Mbeki and the Minister of Trade and Industry Mandisi Mpahlwa attended the 2004 Homegrown Awards. Said President Mbeki at the time: "I am very proud to be here tonight to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the Proudly South African campaign and especially the creativity, innovation and spirited local content as showcased by the Proudly South African Homegrown Award finalists.

"There are many, many businesses and companies of all types and sizes in our country. While all share, understandably, the desire for profit, some distinguish themselves by consciously also caring about creating other types of wealth: creating and improving opportunities for women, mentoring and empowering informal and early-stage businesses, improving and encouraging job creation and the involvement and participation of employees.

"I pose the question: what is different about a company that carries the Proudly South African symbol? Yes, it meets the standards set by the campaign with regard to the level of local content, quality and fair labour practices. But perhaps there is a deeper and more significant difference.

Such a company is not necessarily bigger, better, or more successful. But it is making a statement that is at once a statement of origin, a statement of purpose and a statement of optimism. The symbol imbues such a company with a unique and uplifting national identity; it brands its products with the same sense, and provides the people in that company with a motivating and unifying principle that ties their work to a larger purpose - the building of our country."

There are six categories this year with two awards in each category: one for a small/medium organisation (1-150 employees) and one for larger organisations with more than 150 employees.

The categories are:
Category 1: Proudly South African Company of the Year
Category 2: Proudly South African Product of the Year
Category 3: Proudly South African Service of the Year
Category 4: Proudly South African Innovator of the Year
Category 5: Proudly South African Exporter of the Year
Category 6: Proudly South African Bridge-Builder of the Year

Moroka added, "Last year's winning companies enjoyed widespread media coverage and national recognition. We are committed to building on the success of last year's awards and ensuring that Homegrown 2005 continues to recognise our members' outstanding achievements in true Proudly South African fashion."

The closing date for entries is 5pm on Friday, 18 November 2005. Members and interested parties are encouraged to visit the Proudly South African website www.proudlysa.co.za/awards/2005/ or to call Proudly South African on Tel: +27 11 327 7778.