Representing all the winners in the News24 Business Awards.
Now in its fourth year, the News24 Business Awards were announced at a gala event in Cape Town on Thursday evening.
The unique set of awards recognise companies that excel in client service, innovation, strategy, communication, and transparency.
More than 13 000 of News24’s readers were surveyed about their experiences with companies, rating premiums and pricing, communication, and claims processes.
There is also a sizeable qualitative aspect to the awards, which includes the News24 team’s own assessment of companies’ media relations, offerings and innovation. Data from the National Financial Ombud complaints data are also assessed.
The final rankings were audited by an actuarial consultant.
This year’s winners are:
- News24 Medical Scheme of the Year: Momentum
- News24 Long-Term Insurer of the Year: FNB
- News24 Short-Term Insurer of the Year: OUTsurance
- News24 Bank of the Year: Capitec
CEO of the Year
News24 also announced that its CEO of the Year award goes to Datatec Group CEO, Jens Montanana.
Montanana founded the company in 1986, which has grown from a Joburg-based supplier of computer modems and other equipment to a global ICT giant with 11 000 employees in 50 countries in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
In recent years, Montanana is credited with achieving an impressive strategic reset of the group, with a big shift towards software and services, including cybersecurity.
This is paying off in a big way, and he is lauded by analysts for expanding margins and unlocking value, while forging key partnerships across the world.
Receiving the award, Montanana said: “AI is going to be yet another disruptor in the continual, continual evolution of technology, but it will also be an enabler for humans to significantly improve both their adaptability and usefulness.”
Company of the Year
The News24 Company of the Year is the South African gold miner Pan African Resources.
The company delivered total returns of more than 600% over the past five years. While this was bolstered by a strong rally in precious metal prices, investors credited the group’s operational outperformance, agility and innovation for growing from a small gold tailings miner to an R80 billion force to be reckoned with.
Pan African Resources was praised for its ability to deliver projects on time and on budget, and for delivering on its pledge to be one of the highest-margin and lowest-cost gold miners.
Investors also recognised its willingness to invest in areas of South Africa that have been marred by crime and lawlessness.
Receiving the award, Pan African CEO, Cobus Loots, said: “The job, generally, is a difficult one. There’s no way to sip almond cappuccinos 2.4km underground. The earth wants to do you serious harm, and it’s only by sticking to our policies and procedures that you can be safe and people can be safe.”
The CEO and Company of the Year winners are determined by looking at JSE-listed companies that have delivered the strongest investment returns in recent years.
From a shortlist of contenders, News24 consulted fund managers and analysts on their views of the CEOs of these companies, and how well they are delivering on commitments and operational excellence. The News24 team also scrutinised the companies for their ability to turn plans into results, as well as their contribution to South Africa and how accessible and transparent their leaders are.
The awards function was sponsored by Uber, with investment data for judging the award provided by PSG Old Oak.
