2009 Business Awards
Congratulations to the Business Awards Winners 2009!
Business Person of the Year
Mr. Asgar Mahomed
As a young man in his early 20s with a keen interest in IT, Asgar was constantly approached by family and friends to advise on and help with their computers. After assembling PCs on a dining room table at his parents' home, Asgar realised it was a short step to take his skills to a professional level and offer a total IT solution to his clients.
After listening closely to his client's requirements, Asgar would provide a tailored IT solution by sourcing machines and software and providing installation as well as training.
In 1989, Asgar opened a retail store in Pretoria called Micro Matrix Computers, and expanded the business from selling one PC per day to 10 machines a day. The business soon went national with offices in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and within three years, the business opened another four stores across the country.
In 1994, being a truly BEE company, Asgar realised there was a major gap in the industry to supply and service the Government and Corporate sector and formed Casey Electronics to offer IT support in this market sector. In 1998 Asgar and his team listed the Casey Group, as well as the retail stores, Micro Matrix Computers, on the JSE under the name Casey Investment Holdings Limited.
In its 13-year history, Casey grew organically and was voted the sixth largest IT distributor in South Africa by the Corporate Research Foundation. In 2000, Casey was acquired by Black Information Technology Empowerment Company (BLITEC).
Looking for the next business venture, Asgar with his brother and business partner, Mahomed Cassim started Esquire Technologies, growing the business in a few short years from four people to160 staff, branches countrywide and an established position as a leading IT distributor of computer and lifestyle products in southern Africa.
Asgar still keeps close to other fledging businesses, keen to pass on lessons learnt, acting as a mentor, nurturing good ideas and encouraging entrepreneurship as well as contributing to organisations like Young Presidents Organisation (YPO). He is involved in Al-Najda Foundation, an organisation that provides bursaries to students who have the skills, commitment and drive to progress their education, but who face financial hurdles.
Asgar has aimed to create a healthy and holistic business environment, based on the principles of integrity, authenticity and prosperity. He has learnt to balance his personal life and business, spending a great deal of time with his wife and three young children, as well as participating in sporting activities including squash, swimming and soccer. He continuously strives to create a work environment that is personally fulfilling and financially successful, believing that the two are not mutually exclusive.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Mr. Suliman Paruk
Mr Suliman Paruk, who heads up the Tans-Africa's Kwa-Zulu Natal operation, believes in the value of honesty and good communication in building solid relationships with customers, employees and all potential associates and stakeholders. With this foundation, it is a matter of hard work and dedication to build a trusted brand and a profitable business.
With his family in the transport industry, he realised the potential for efficient and reliable passenger services as a young man, but when he left school opportunities in private transport were limited. He completed a B.Com Accounting and in 1998 had plans to travel the world, but his father, whom he acknowledges as his role-model and mentor, encouraged him to take advantage of the transformation which was occurring in the sector.
As government contracts became available to private operators, the Paruk family won tenders in Vryheid, Newcastle and Richards Bay. His father was spending more time in Gauteng developing the business there, and left Suliman to 'do his own thing'.
Initially he faced the challenge of not being taken seriously because he lacked life experience, but he soon established a trustworthy reputation and has nurtured numerous mutually beneficial relationships. A highlight was when the local government approached him to take over a failing service in Empangeni - testimony to the reputation he had developed and the trust and service record the company had established. Under his leadership the companies have acquired many accolades in various categories from the Department of Transport KZN.
Suliman is optimistic about the potential in the passenger transport area and has already secured preliminary bookings for the 2010 World Cup. He says: "This is a round the clock business. To succeed you need passion and heart - it's about the service, and the difference you can make in the lives of commuters, not the profits."
Business Entity of the Year "Small"
Amina's Wonder Spice
The well known adage, necessity is the mother of invention applies two fold to this husband and wife team - the necessity for a young couple to improve their lifestyle and the need for households to have ready to mix-ready to use convenience ingredients to make meals mouthwatering. The success of Amina's Wonder Spice is the result of finding and developing a niche market amongst housewives, butchers and caterers and supplying a range of unique tastes in a 100% pure paste.
A chance request to organise a braai for his employers has developed into a successful business. The guests complimented Mr Abdul Gani Rahman on his marinade and the idea was born to bottle the secret formula and sell it.
With an initial outlay of just R375 he and his wife Amina bottled their first two products Chicken Tikka and Steak & Chops, but with no vehicle or any financial backing, Mr Rahman began selling the products door to door at lunch and tea breaks. Demand was so encouraging, he soon quit his job.
In November 1999 Amina's Wonder Spice was launched and with hard work, this great idea has developed into a fully -fledged factory, producing 17 different products, from marinades and masalas to ginger and garlic pastes, which are supplied nationally and internationally.
By 2004 Amina's Wonder Spice had become a household name and synonymous with quality, value for money and an innovation in cooking. In 2007 they exhibited at the International Halaal Expo in Abu Dhabi. This year labels are being revamped and plans are in motion to develop a new factory complying with international manufacturing standards.
Business Entity of the Year "Medium"
Darsot Food Corporation
While in exile in the UK, Mr Ismail Darsot committed himself to acquiring knowledge and expertise in the canning industry, and on his return in 1993, started a 100% BEE rated family business.
Besides providing employment, his vision was to manufacture a range of exceptional quality canned products at an affordable price. In 14 years he has achieved many milestones, received numerous awards and achieved successes which competitors have not rivalled in over 100 years. Most notable of these was the establishment in 2006 of his own can making operation for the supply of tins, both into the company cannery and for the industry in Southern Africa. This year the corporation was awarded a Gold category International Star for Leadership in Quality Award, winning the prestigious accolade ahead of entrants from 178 countries.
The group has grown consistently since establishing an edible oil refinery with a crushing and bottling facility producing a high quality sunflower oil in 1997. It now includes a state-of-the-art mushroom growing facility, a chemical division manufacturing floor and furniture polish, a mineral water bottling operation, a can making business and a peanut plant producing peanut butter and roasted peanuts.
Despite initial rebuffals, an innovative marketing strategy has positioned Dürsots as a household name nationally and internationally. The brand has a reputation for premier quality products with turnover doubling every year in the last three years. The corporation now has 11 factories on its Eikenhof estate and the canning business has grown from an initial 15 000 cans to 3 million cans per month.
The company is involved in many CSI initiatives and is devoted to the upliftment of employees, their families and the community through awarding bursaries for academic and tertiary education.
Business Entity of the Year "Large"
Pharmachem Pharmaceuticals (PTY) LTD
Imtiaz (Immy) Mohamed and Bashir Carrim, both of whom are pharmacists, started Pharmachem Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical manufacturing company in 2004, with a vision of providing 'quality and affordable health care for all'. From humble beginnings and in just six years, Pharmachem has grown to be the largest privately owned generic pharmaceutical manufacturer in South Africa.
Currently Pharmachem boasts more than 60 generic and OTC brands which are renowned for their quality, efficacy and affordability. With their continuous innovations and constant zest to provide the highest level of service excellence, Pharmachem has become a trusted and valued brand among doctors, pharmacies and clinics in South Africa and its neighbouring states.
Pharmachem is a proud member of the City Group of Companies which includes City Medical Wholesalers - a pharmaceutical distribution business, Tuffs Investment Properties - a property and residential developments portfolio company, Siyeza Fine Chemicals - a company specialising in active pharmaceutical raw materials and chemicals, Global Software - a company developing cutting edge, tailor made software solutions for the pharmaceutical and related industry, and Edge Cash and Carry - a FMCG wholesale operation.
Recently Pharmachem, in collaboration with leading pharmaceutical companies in India, have launched Mediscience Healthcare - a research unit to develop and bring to market a broad spectrum of branded generics and specialised pharmaceutical products and services.
Pharmachem is totally committed to social responsibility and community upliftment. In 2003 Bashir and Imtiaz founded ISLAM FOR AFRICA. This non profit organisation is personally funded and helps all South Africans irrespective of colour creed or religion. Educational bursaries to disadvantaged learners and the establishment of mosques around South Africa is the primary vision of this organisation.
A fully BEE compliant entity, Pharmachem's greatest asset is its employees - people from diverse backgrounds, cultures and race - a rainbow of people who form the very fabric of the organisation. As the directors of the company both Immy and Bashir are highly motivated individuals who devote boundless energy and resources to staff training and motivation. The company instills and encourages staff to display the highest level of integrity and business ethics at all times.
The secret of their success lies in what they call the 4 Ps of Life - Prayer, Patience, Perseverance and Planning, together with ensuring that all their business practices and personal affairs fall within the ambit of Islamic Law and Shari'ah. "It is not your aptitude but rather your attitude that decides your altitude" is their philosophy of life and the cornerstone of their success.
Corporate Social Investment
Madressa Noor for the Blind
Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind is a one of a kind specialist non-profit Islamic institute catering for the needs of the visually impaired and is presently based in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Founded in 1986 by Moulana Hassan AK Murchie to meet the needs of children requiring basic Islamic (Maktab) education, the institute began humbly in a garage with carpeted floor where three students learnt how to read the Quraan by using their fingers. Presently, South Africans and students from different parts of the world study at this institute pursuing the Hifzul Quraan, Imam Dawaah and Aalim courses. In 2004, the first blind Aalim and Aalima graduated from the institute.
They also produce a wide range of Islamic literature in Braille from their in-house Braille press and produce professional audio recordings (talking books) from their studio which are then circulated internationally.
As part of their global outreach programme, a "Teach the Teachers" initiative is conducted through Quraanic Braille Workshops which teach the Arabic Braille code and the system of teaching the blind. Specialist support is then forwarded to affiliates from their resource centre.
Having outgrown their present premises they will be moving to a new home which is situated on a farm in Cedara in the picturesque Midlands of Kwa Zulu Natal. On this expanded campus, sports, agriculture and life skills will also be taught, Insha-Allah.
As per their mission, Madrassa An-Noor for the Blind is committed to spreading the light of Islam to every blind person around the world whether they are living on the mountains or on the sea shore.
