Gallery
GEORGE NEWS - Antique charm, elegance and style with a healthy dose of glitz and glamour... This is how guests describe the George Business Chamber Gala Awards hosted at the Hawthorne Boutique Hotel in Heatherlands last Friday evening, 21 October.
The main sponsor of the event was Investec with George Herald as media sponsor also designing and printing the event's programme in the shape of a mini eight-page newspaper.
All categories were entirely dominated by women leaders in the business industry - including the master of ceremonies, actress and producer, Lika Berning and guest speaker Zelda le Grange of Madiba fame who spoke about her many years as Nelson Mandela's right hand woman.
"This year we didn't have the category 'Woman Change Agent', but it just so happened that in every category we had a female winner," said George Business Chamber Manager Bernadette Schaap.
Drum roll
The GBC Business Leader of 2022 is Elsie Harmse of Africa Skills Village. This is the second time that Harmse scoops this coveted award as she also took it home in 2015.
Elsie Harmse, GBC Business Leader 2022
The other category winners are Tarryn Stephenson of Tada Promotions - GBC Entrepreneur 2022; Jenni Vivier of Suntan Piggery - GBC Service Ambassador 2022; and Vuyiswa Zinkuku of K.O. Store - GBC Informal Trader 2022.
Tarryn Stephenson, GBC Entrepreneur 2022
Jenni Vivier (left), GBC Service Ambassador 2022 and Karen Goldfarb of Investec celebrates Vivier's win.
Vuyiswa Zinkuku, GBC Informal Trader 2022
Two special awards were added to the 2022 gala event with the GBC Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously awarded to Robin Clark, received by his son Lenn. Clark was the director of Touw Meubels and involved in numerous community projects and charities.
The GBC Standing Ovation Award went to Wilhelmina Fortuin of the Department of Health, Michael Vonk of George Hospital and Kassie Karstens of Mediclinic George for the medical fraternity's sterling work during the Covid pandemic.
PHOTO GALLERY: George Business Chamber Gala Awards
Director Rural Health Services: Garden Route and Central Karoo Health districts, Zee Brickles, said receiving an award of this kind is a reminder of the impact healthcare staff have on the lives of those in need.
"We receive this award with the greatest appreciation for the acknowledgement of the work we do and the personal and professional sacrifices we make," said Brickles.
"My sincere appreciation to all healthcare workers in George and the Garden Route at large, wherever you practice from – there you have and are making a difference in the lives of healthcare users. Thank you to the George Business Chamber for their commitment to improving the lives of our people and their dedication to facilitating a prosperous economy that recognises the contribution of all the role-players in our beautiful town."
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