Coega wins at African Business Awards

 The Coega Development Corporation takes immense pride in announcing its distinguished recognition at the esteemed African Business Awards 2023, held last week at the Maslow Hotel in Sandton, 

north of Johannesburg. Amongst a gathering of industry leaders and innovators, Coega emerged triumphant, securing the highly esteemed Skills Training and Education Award. This award is presented to companies that support skills training and learnerships programmes and promote career awareness. 

The objective of the African Business Awards, hosted by Aveng Media, served as a platform to recognise, and celebrate outstanding achievements, innovation, and excellence within the African business community. It also aims to showcase businesses that are driving economic growth, social progress, and sustainable development across the African continent. With an established track record of excellence, Coega is committed to maintaining its role as a transformative force by spearheading numerous projects and programmes in its areas of operation. 

With a competitive pool of 150 exceptional companies nominated across nine diverse award categories, a total of 63 were selected as finalists, and ultimately, only nine enterprises were crowned as winners. Coega was nominated as a finalist in the Skills Training and Education; Manufacturing; and Business of the Year award categories. Winning the Skills Training and Education award underscores Coega’s dedication to socio-economic development, capacity building, excellence, innovation, continuous improvement, and unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive growth across the African business landscape. Moreover, Coega’s recognition in the Skills Training and Education category emphasises its commitment to supporting fit-for-purpose skills programmes provided by the Coega Skills Development Centre, which is an accredited Trade Test Centre. Furthermore, Coega’s dedication to fostering career awareness aligns seamlessly with its vision to be a leading catalyst for the championing of socioeconomic development, through developing the competencies and employability of young people. 

The manufacturing and business of the year categories in which Coega was a finalist underscores the significant role played by Coega in driving the advancement of South Africa’s manufacturing sector within the Coega SEZ and reflects exceptional leadership in the industry. According to the most recent Coega Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Census Report by Statistics South Africa, the manufacturing sector within the Coega SEZ accounted for 60,5% of total employment. This recognition stands as a testament to Coega’s relentless pursuit to enable job creation, thereby contributing to a thriving manufacturing landscape. 

Dr Ayanda Vilakazi, Coega Development Corporation Unit Head of Marketing, Brand and Communications said, “Coega’s selection as a finalist in three categories highlights the organisation’s ongoing dedication to driving positive change in terms of socio-economic development, skills development, and business transformation. We extend our appreciation to the African Business Awards for providing a platform that recognises the relentless pursuits of companies working towards advancing Africa’s economic prosperity.”