GEORGE BUSINESS NEWS - One of the most popular events on the annual George calendar, the George Business Chamber Business Awards ceremony, has become yet another casualty of Covid-19.

Chief executive officer Ingrid Cronjé has confirmed that it won't take place this year due to the uncertainty of the duration of the lockdown periods.

"There were numerous factors which influenced this decision. Public gatherings were not permitted under Covid rules and venues were prohibited from hosting events. No one knew if, or when, there would be a relaxing of the restrictions or when they would occur," she said.

"Appropriate venues were unable to commit to booking dates either, and planning and hosting such an event takes a lot of time. We, at the chamber, felt that the time would be better spent on supporting businesses in whichever way we could."

Another key contributing factor was the uncertainty of submissions from any potential contenders within the various categories, seeing that the business owners needed to focus on critical issues that arose from the Covid-19 situation.

Ingrid Cronjé, chief executive officer of the George Business Chamber

Cronjé held out hope for future events, though. "We are moving forward and looking to continue the tradition of the annual Business Awards in 2021," she said.

The awards usually take the form of a glittering gala dinner where the cream of local businessmen and -women are celebrated. Last year it took place at Bygracealone in Sinksabrug and was attended by more than 100 people. 

Nelius van Greunen of Van Greunen Boerdery was the Business Person (2019). Other winners in recent years include Shaun Clark of Outeniqua Refrigeration (2014); Elsie Harmse, founder and managing director of Africa Skills Private College (2015); Michael du Plessis, owner of Grow Green (2016) and Irene Vermeulen of Olivier & Vermeulen Funeral Home (2017).

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