Hosted by Topco Media and moderated by Leeann Manas, these awards honour South Africa's trailblazers in transformation, diversity and empowerment.

Now in their 24th year, the awards spotlight excellence in B-BBEE, leadership, innovation and sustainable impact, championing inclusive economic growth by celebrating companies and individuals that are actively building a more equitable, empowered and transformed South Africa. Some of the dignitaries at the event are Legal, Political and Business leader Dr Mathews Phosa, Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, says the agency.

At this year's Oliver Top Empowerment Awards, Y-Brand is a Finalist in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace of the Year Award and a Finalist in the Job Creation of the Year Award. Ncholo is named a Finalist in the Richard Fletcher Entrepreneur of the Year Award. These achievements add to the recognition he and Y-Brand have received in the agency's 20-year existence, says the agency.

His awards include, but aren't limited to, winning the Richard Fletcher Entrepreneur of the Year Award at 2024's Top Empowerment Awards and being a Finalist for the Top Empowered Entrepreneur Award at the awards in 2023, 2019 and 2017. He was a Finalist in the CEO of the Year category by The Future of HR Awards in 2024, says the agency.

Y-Brand's work has also been recognised. At the Top Empowerment Awards, the company was a Runner-Up in the Top Empowered Company: Fast Growth Black-Owned SMME of the Year in 2023. Y-Brand was also named winner in the Employer of Choice: Small — Medium Organisations by The Future of HR Awards in 2024 and have won numerous other awards, adds the agency.

Speaking about his latest achievement, Ncholo says, "I am pleased that our talent acquisition strategy, which embraces diversity and equity by building a youth-powered workforce, growing female leadership representation and creating pathways for interns to become industry professionals has been acknowledged through us being finalists in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Award."

Ncholo adds that being nominated for the Richard Fletcher Entrepreneur of the Year Award expresses his hard work, commitment to marketing excellence and passion for transformation, adds the agency.

One of his greatest objectives is reducing South Africa's high unemployment rate, so he is fulfilled about being a Finalist in the Job Creation of the Year Award. "I am glad that Y-Brand providing employment opportunities to 300 full-time staff and over 1 000 seasonal employees was acknowledged through this nomination," says Ncholo.

In addition to attending the awards ceremony, Ncholo was a speaker at the Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference held on Friday, 1 August. Under the theme, "Empowerment Through Bold Transformation", the conference explors how purpose-led transformation can help organisations build long-term success by aligning their operations, culture and strategies with their purpose, says the agency.

The conference featured panel discussions on a variety of transformation-related topics. Ncholo was part of the panel on the topic, "Youth Leadership Development". Other panelists were Matoti Buthelezi, Group Chief Executive and Chairman of the National Executive Economic Collective (NEXEC), Asanda Luwaca, Executive Chairperson, National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and Margret Molefe, Executive Deputy Chairperson, South African BRICS Youth Association (SABYA), adds the agency.

Much of the discussion featured key points around youth leadership and the urgency of addressing South Africa's youth unemployment crisis. "There needs to be greater commitment from government and corporates with regard to investing in young people," says Ncholo. "The poor quality education many of our young people are receiving is also contributing to our high unemployment rates. Entrepreneurship is one way for youth to be employed, but it's important that they are given the tools to sustain their businesses such as by providing them with mentorship and jobs to give them leadership, goal-setting and self-motivation skills."

Y-Brand is playing a major role in tackling youth unemployment by providing job and internship opportunities that enable young people to unleash their passion, talent and potential in marketing, through its job creation and skills development opportunities, innovative campaigns and culture inclusion, concludes the agency.

For more information, visit www.ybrand.co.za. You can also follow Y-Brand on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor