The 60 finalists emerged from a rigorous three-phase judging process to be named as finalists and represent the top echelons of South African workplace talent.
From a record number of close to 400 entries this year, a panel of select judges from USB-ED chose five potential winners in each of the programme’s 12 industry categories. These categories embrace a broad spectrum of different professions within business sectors that include banking and financial services; energy and chemicals; construction and engineering; entrepreneurship; ICT; transport, logistics and supply chain; media and advertising; mining and minerals; professional services; manufacturing, retail and FMCG; public and private services; as well as tourism, leisure and hospitality.
Standard Bank’s global head of resourcing, Amelia Muller, said the
Rising Star Programme was established for the purposes of recognising, celebrating and connecting young talented people who have a capacity for achievement and success and who contribute in an inspirational manner to the future of the nation.
“Originating in South Africa, this programme has identified and assisted over 200 of the country’s most talented young leaders and continues to go from strength to strength,” she says. “Standard Bank’s collaboration with industry icons such as the Rising Stars has always been the objective of sustainable engagement – a way to express Standard Bank’s long-term commitment to the youth of the African continent. This inspirational platform allows for our young stars to shine and be recognised, reflecting the legacy of skills development and leadership progress that represents the core of Standard Bank’s ambitions in Africa.”
“We’re delighted at the number and calibre of nominations received this year,” says Laura Barker, managing director of BlackBark Productions, organisers of the Rising Star Programme. “The increasing momentum of the Standard Bank Rising Star Awards year on year since its inception in 2012 proves that there is keen interest among the country’s leading business organisations to see the issue of young talent elevated to the national agenda. It is our privilege to provide a platform that creates opportunities for talented individuals in the 28 to 40 year age bracket to grow, connect and give back."
The Standard Bank
Rising Star Awards branched out into Kenya in 2014 and there are plans to launch in Botswana later this year. Barker says her long term vision is to develop a Pan African network of talented young people that will enable individuals to share their exclusive knowledge and expertise with peers from different sectors within the corporate world as part of a 'living community'. The objective is to create role models and opinion leaders capable of inspiring other future South African talent. A local online Rising Star Network is already in place, effectively creating inter-connected, interactive group driven social and growth platforms.
Sponsors of the Standard Bank
Rising Star Awards include Standard Bank, USB-ED, Sasol, ArcelorMittal, Technology Innovation Agency, merSETA, SITA, Hilton Worldwide, ASTD, Mulderbosch and Who’s Who.
The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on Friday, 24 July at the Sandton Hilton in Johannesburg.
This year's finalists are:
Banking & Financial Services – sponsored by Standard Bank
- Bernard Sebopa of Old Mutual;
- Cindy Naidoo of PPS;
- Joseph Ndaba of FNB;
- Kristel Sampson of Standard Bank; and
- Tracy Hart of Standard Bank.
Construction and Engineering – sponsored by ArcelorMittal
- Alden Van Wyk of Murray & Roberts Power & Energy;
- Hendrik Hein Pretorius of Murray & Roberts Construction;
- Mbali Mbuli of Murray & Roberts Construction;
- San-Mari Pretorius of Aveng Grinaker-LTA; and
- Thato Twala of Aveng Grinaker-LTA.
Energy & Chemicals – sponsored by Sasol
- Dudu Hadebe of Eskom;
- Hanno (Abraham Johannes Cornelis) Van Staden of Sasol;
- Jacqueline Bisschoff of Utility Administration Services;
- Kelello Sammering of Eskom; and
- Nokuthula (Thuli) Mtegha of Shell.
Entrepreneur
- Arthie Moore of Celebrating Humanity International;
- Grant Gavin of RE/MAX PANACHE;
- Laura Reynolds of Recruitgroup;
- Tamsyn Ferreira of ALIFURN; and
- Thabang Mabuza of Ulwazi Resource Consulting.
ICT – sponsored by Technology Innovation Agency
- Antoinette Johnson of Innovation Group;
- Lynette Van Wyk of Centracom;
- Marcelle Appelcryn of Britehouse Automotive;
- Michelle Ramnath of Britehouse; and
- Stefan Terblanche of Centracom.
Manufacturing, Retail & FMCG – sponsored by MerSETA
- Chevonne Engelbrecht of Evraz Highveld Steel;
- Manisha Bhika of ArcelorMittal;
- Nikola Whelan of Pharmacare Limited trading as Aspen Pharmacare;
- Ronnie Mulaudzi of Massmart Services; and
- Sivaan Marie of Bidvest Foodservice (Pty) Ltd.
Media and Marketing
- Clyde Tlou of SuperSport.com;
- Dineo Mahao of Retro Booiz & Other Projects Pty (Ltd);
- Jessica Wheeler of Grey Africa;
- Preetesh Sewraj of Product of the Year - South Africa; and
- Ziyanda Buthelezi of MultiChoice Africa.
Mining and Minerals
- Abigail Mukhuba of Exxaro Resources;
- Jayshree Brijball of Exxaro Resources;
- Mogaleadi Sandra Seabela of Optimum;
- Nicholas Maphari of Exxaro Resources; and
- Ziphozonke Buthelezi of Sierra Rutile.
Professional Services
- Grant Wilkinson of Global Business Solutions;
- Janko Kotze of PwC
- Lee Naik of Accenture;
- Palesa Makobe of KPMG; and
- Shaun Hangone of Von Lieres Cooper Barlow & Hangone.
Service: Public and Private – sponsored by SITA
- Brightness Mangolothi of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University;
- Dr Kajal Lutchminarian of King Edward Hospital;
- Gerinda Jooste of SAICA;
- Lusanda Ncoliwe of Umgeni Water; and
- Tatenda Zingoni of BroadReach Healthcare.
Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality – sponsored by Hilton Worldwide
- Amy Mortlock of STA Travel South Africa;
- Fanie Meintjes of Hilton Worldwide, South Africa;
- Grant Oliver of Hilton Worldwide at Hilton Cape Town;
- Nadia Virasamy of Moving into Dance Mophatong; and
- Roxanne van Niekerk of Hilton Worldwide South Africa.
Transport, Logistics and Supply Chain – sponsored by Unitrans
- Cecilia Albertyn of G4S;
- Connie Mdladla of Khaas Logistics;
- Daniel Van Der Merwe of DHL Express;
- Darrin Hedley of G4S; and
- Kevin Stout of Unitrans.
For more information, visit the Rising Star Awards website. Alternatively, visit and like their page on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.