Indian-Origin Winners Take Centre Stage at Commonwealth Business Awards in Africa

Indian-origin business leaders and advocates for women's empowerment from twelve Commonwealth nations were prominent at the Business Excellence Awards 2024. The event, held on the African continent for the first time, saw over 60 awards distributed on Saturday. Last year, the awards took place in Singapore.

Representative image

More than half of the awards were claimed by Indian-origin businesses and individuals from countries including South Africa, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Dubai, and Mauritius. The organisers stated, "The Commonwealth Business Excellence Award aims to recognise your successes on the path to global best-in-class business performance."

Recognition of Social and Environmental Contributions

The awards also acknowledged significant social and environmental contributions made by organisations. These contributions included excellence in service, customer commitment, philanthropic ideals, ethical behaviour, and environmental sustainability. This year's event concluded two days of activities involving around 400 business, civil society, and political leaders.

The inaugural African event was organised by Vinesh Sukhari, a South African Indian-origin businessman and Executive Chairman of Expo International. Sukhari had offered to host the event in South Africa after winning an award at last year's ceremony in Singapore.

"The success of our Apple Group of Companies has been based on giving back to the community that enabled our success," said Sammy Naidoo, an Indian-origin winner from South Africa. Naidoo is a pioneer in the printing industry and a long-time philanthropist. He quoted St Francis of Assisi: "It is in giving that we receive."

Focus on Fintech Industry

Sukhari emphasised that business excellence extends beyond individual success to positively impact communities, the environment, and society. He remarked at the event focused on the Fintech industry: "Our awardees have demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision and dedication in their craft."

"These awards will inspire, challenge and motivate us to do better," Sukhari added. "They remind us that business excellence is not just about profit but about purpose, passion and making a difference." He highlighted that with courage and determination, ideas could be turned into reality to create a better future.

Naidoo shared his pleasure in discovering that many awardees from various countries shared his philosophy of giving back. "It was very pleasing to learn as we interacted with so many awardees from all these countries that they share this philosophy because giving and receiving is like a continuous circle and is always gratifying," he said.

The event provided a platform for discussions between business leaders, civil society members, political figures, industry-leading solution providers, and financial institutions. They explored opportunities for transformative partnerships and accelerated growth.

"The awards also recognise the important social and environmental contributions made by organisations through the excellence of service, commitment to their customers, philanthropic ideals, ethical behaviour, and environmental sustainability," organisers added.

The Business Excellence Awards 2024 celebrated outstanding achievements while encouraging future efforts towards community betterment and sustainable practices.