IslamicFinance, part of the FirstRand Group and the first mainstream bank to offer Shari’ah compliant products seven years ago, will announce the winners of the sixth annual IslamicFinance Business Awards on Friday 30 September 2011.
Ebi Patel, CEO of IslamicFinance, says: “These prestigious awards recognise the valuable contribution Muslim businesses make to the development of the South African economy and the upliftment of diverse communities. We are proud to showcase these outstanding businesses, visionary entrepreneurs, inspirational leaders and established business legends and honour them as esteemed role models.
Many are unsung heroes who have triumphed despite difficult circumstances. They have overcome obstacles and persevered to achieve and surpass their goals. In providing employment, they contribute significantly to wealth creation and help improve the lives of people throughout the country.”
The IslamicFinance Business Awards accepts nominations in four categories:
- Entrepreneur and Business Person of the Year
- Medium and Large Business Entity of the Year
- Small Business Entity of the Year
- Community Corporate Social Investment Award
Ebi Patel says: “The IslamicFinance Business Awards have evolved and adapted since inception, showing unprecedented growth each year. This year we received nominations from a much wider range of businesses and are encouraged by the number of younger emerging enterprises which have developed to a sustainable level and are now worthy nominees and finalists. This is a positive indicator for the growth of the South African economy and testimony to the nation building capacity of Muslim businesses.”
All entries are evaluated against a stringent scorecard by an esteemed panel of independent judges. Chairman of the Judging Panel, Yunus Suleman, said: “This year have introduce a new category, The Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award will be presented to a person who has achieved success in their own business ventures as well as continued their generous philanthropic initiatives despite tougher economic circumstances, and who has maintained a competitive advantage in their business sector.”
2011 has been a momentous year for IslamicFinance which has continued to expand its footprint and extend the product offerings. In July an innovative Advice Centre was opened in Cape Town which offers an accessible seamless service for new and existing customers. The Advice Centre is open seven days a week with extended hours which are well beyond conventional banking hours. This year the inaugural graduation at the IslamicFinance School of Entrepreneurship was held with the Class of 2011 graduating with top honours.
Ebi Patel says: “We are extremely grateful to all the stakeholders who have made this venture possible — captains of industry, academics and role models who give of their time and their expertise generously to mentor and encourage young entrepreneurs. We are confident that these graduates will become future finalists at the IslamicFinance Business Awards.”
IslamicFinance has continued to support community initiatives and we are delighted to have partnered with Rescue 786 this year, sponsoring an ambulance in this much-needed service sector. Besides benefits to the community, this initiative showcases the innovative leadership and commitment to find practical solutions to our country’s challenges — in this case, the shortage of ambulances and the high cost of private health care options.
This article originally appeared in the Mail & Guardian newspaper as an advertorial supplement