Infrastructure development company Bigen Africa Group CEO Dr Snowy Khoza took top honours at this year’s National Business Awards and was named National Business Leader of the Year.
Bigen Africa was also presented with the Infrastructure Development Company of the Year award.
“These awards recognise the finest talents and organisations that South Africa has to offer,” Bigen Africa chair Dr Iraj Abedian commented.
Nominees included some of the largest South African businesses, such as Billion Group, Kumba Iron Ore, Aspen Pharmacare, Alexander Forbes, Woolworths and Absa Bank.
“I find it particularly gratifying that the group’s vision and its insistence on the highest standards of performance are in line with the awards’ mission to better our people, planet and profits through excellence. These goals also reflect Dr Khoza’s personal philosophy as a business leader, social activist and a champion of transformation,” Abedian noted.
Since her appointed at Bigen Africa in 2010, Khoza led its evolution from an engineering firm to an infrastructure development group, also introducing its “doing good while doing business” philosophy, which included ensuring that employment and procurement opportunities arising from projects were channelled to the local communities as far as possible.
“With tenacity and determination, she has overcome financial constraints and other hardships to complete various qualifications including an MBA and a PhD in Social Policy and has become the first black woman to lead an infrastructure development group and set it on a highly successful course,” Abedian said.
