Steve Hurt has dedicated the last decade to commercialising Southern African traditional medicinal plants. His business exports processed plants and plant extracts for medicinal use to USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and Iran.
His business is environmentally sustainable and plants are harvested in the wild under the auspices of nature conservation. Afrigetics has manufactured a unique herbal extract for colds and flu and a major European company has requested a world wide exclusive distribution agreement for this.
Afrigetics has also signed a benefit sharing agreement with the SAN people that gives a share of profits to the SAN administrative body. The runners up are Louis van Rensburg, Van Rensburg Auctioneers and Peter Reinstorf, Safari Manufacturing.
For the first time this year, The George Business Chamber has introduced an Outstanding Achievement Award. This award was presented to Carli Bunding-Venter, Manager of Economic Development-George Municipality, in recognition of her commitment, dedication and energy in the endeavour to improve the overall Economic Development of George and surrounding area.
Jonel Ackerman of Farm Fresh Direct was named the Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 as she "has a heart for George". The Entrepreneur Runners-up were Deon Mocke from Outeniqua Farmer's Market and Joe Afrika from Loxion Lounge.
Finalist and winners of Business Person of the year 2012 - back from left - Louis Van Rensburg and Annamie Van Rensburg (Van Rensburg Auctioneers), Marina Victor (BMS Boekhoudienste), Hennie Burger (MSEC Security), Rion Olivier (Garden Route Mall), Mariska Cloete (Jesua Consulting), Imel Rautenbach (President of the George Business Chamber), Frik Combrink ( George Kwekery) and Peter Reinstorf (Safari Manufacturing).
Finalist and winners of Entrepreneur of the year 2012 - Back from left - Dr Willie Cilliers on behalf of Nico Theron (Martins Funerals), Jonathan Stanton - Humphreys (RealStart), Joe Afrika (Loxion Lounge), Imel Rautenbach (President of the George Business Chamber), Jonel Ackerman (Farm Fresh Direct), Deon Mocke (Outeniqua Farmers Market), David and Carol Stopforth (Dynamic Print Worx). Front row - from left Warren Moult (Eco Guttering), Andre Snyman (ProtechSA) and Morné Nel.
