The event was hosted by the George Business Chamber on Friday 11 October at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Spa, Oubaai Herolds Bay.
Mocke said he is thrilled by the award. "The award really goes to all the stall holders who each are business people in their own right. Everything we set out to do, namely to create a heart for George where everybody can socialise; to create a tourism attraction that draws people here; to source fresh produce within 200km within the George area; to keep the money generated within the community with multiplying effect; and lastly to create jobs and opportunities for entrepreneurs with an affordable entry into the market, has been achieved."
Ingrid Cronjé, manager of the Chamber said the calibre of the participants was, once again, of a very high standard. "Congratulations to the participants who were all winners. Well Done. We are looking forward to fantastic repeat performances in 2014."
The evening was well attended and included prominent visitors like Christo van der Rheede, CEO of the AHI (Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut), who, as guest speaker, gave an inspiration and insightful talk about Business Chambers as Economic Think Tanks.
Also in attendance was Van der Rheede's wife, Merlyn and Lynette Francis, the intrepid host of the Praat Saam programme on Radio Sonder Grense (RSG).
Francis wowed the audience earlier in the day at a broadcast that aired live from George and was attended by the public as well as the delegates who attended the five day entrepreneur workshop - facilitated by amongst others the Business Chambers at the end of August.
The awards evening was attended by George's Executive Mayor, Alderman Charles Standers and his wife Estie, Prof Quinton Johnson (Campus Principle of NMMU, Saasveld) and his wife Dr Bridget Johnson, Mr Luvuyo Ngubelanga (CEO of South Cape FET College) Dr Johan Louw (AHI facilitator for Entrepreneur Training) and the eloquent and charming master of ceremonies, Morné Pietersen, station manager of EDENfm.
The evening programme included two songs performed by Jessica Lloyd, who delighted those present with her lovely and unusual voice. "Our very own Katie Melua" is how she was described by one of the guests.
Cronjé added, "We would also like to extend our sincerest thanks to our headline sponsor, Nedbank Business - Garden Route and co-sponsors Die Burger and SAB (South African Breweries) for their support, which generously contributed to the success of the evening." (Pauline Lourens)
Winners and finalists in the George Business Chamber Entrepreneur of the Year 2013 category from left: Michael du Plessis (Grow Green Orga-nic), Sue Richards (runner-up) (Compassionhat), Michael Nyakati (winner) (Wash on Wheels), Alida Wilkin (Shweshwe Handmade), Madelyne Lansdell (Calendar Girls), Gillian Hay (Hayshed) and Tumelo Tladi (runner-up) (Bojanala Waitrons Connoisseurs).
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