Organisation Categories:

All entrants must fulfill the following general criteria as well as the specific category criteria:

1. Implementation of strategic B-BBEE policies.
2. Implementation of effective internal B-BBEE measurement mechanisms.
3. Status with regards to the seven pillars of empowerment as per the B-BBEE scorecard:

• Ownership
• Management & Control
• Employment Equity
• Skills Development
• Preferential Procurement
• Enterprise Development
• Social Economic Development

4. Strong financial performance, based on the following indicators:

• Turnover
• Growth
• Profitability
• Productivity

Top Empowered Company
Can you demonstrate exceptional performance in empowerment and are you a top performer financially?
For judging criteria, see general criteria above and:

• Annual revenues generated must be above R35 million

Top Empowered SMME
Can you demonstrate exceptional performance in empowerment and are you a top performer financially?
For judging criteria, see general criteria above and:

• Annual revenues generated must be between R5 million and R35 million

Top Empowered Government Department
Has your government department or agency delivered on its commitment to improve the life of South Africans?
For judging criteria, see general criteria above and:

• Demonstration of measurable and accountable leadership that is committed to empowering employees
• Innovative strategies and successful outcomes
• Meeting Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and targets for service delivery within budget
• Internal BEE measurement mechanisms

Individual Categories:

All entrants must fulfil the following specific category criteria

Top Black Entrepreneur
Can you demonstrate entrepreneurial flair and strong leadership?

Judging criteria:
1. Company employs more than five people and has a turnover that is greater than R5 million per annum.
2. Company shows significant year-on-year growth (compared to sector average), underpinned by strong financial performance and profitability.
3. Company has been in operation for at least two years.
4. The entrepreneur must be a role model for others and show commitment to uplifting people.
5. The entrepreneur must have equity in the company.

Top Black Businesswoman
Are you a businesswoman who can demonstrate your commitment to BEE? Have you led by example and broken down new barriers? Have you effected real change within your organisation? And are you committed to the development of others?

Judging criteria:
1. Businesswoman holds an executive position.
2. The organisation she represents generates revenues of more than R35 million per annum.
3. Businesswoman demonstrates how she has implemented the strategies of B-BBEE in the following areas:

• Enterprise Development
• Social Economic Development
• Skills Development
• Employment Equity

Top Young Black Entrepreneur
Are you aged 40 years or less and have you demonstrated excellent business acumen in the last three years?

Judging criteria:
1. Company employs more than 5 people and has a turnover that is greater than R5 million per annum.
2. Company shows significant year-on-year growth (compared to sector average), underpinned by strong financial performance and profitability.
3. Company has been in operation for at least two years.
4. The entrepreneur must be a role model to young people.
5. The entrepreneur must have equity in the company.

Top Black Public Sector Executive
Are you an executive in the public sector who can demonstrate your commitment to BEE? ? Have you led by example and broken down new barriers? Have you effected real change within your organisation? And are you committed to the development of others?

Judging criteria:
1. The person must hold an executive position.
2. The person has worked in the public sector for a minimum of two years.
3. The person must show how they have implemented the strategies of B-BBEE in the following areas:

• Enterprise Development
• Social Economic Development
• Skills Development
• Employment Equity

Top Black Businessman
Are you a businessman who can demonstrate your commitment to BEE? Have you led by example and broken down new barriers? Have you effected real change within your organisation? And are you committed to the development of others?

Judging criteria:
1. Businessman holds an executive position.
2. The organisation he represents generates a revenue of more than R35 million per annum.
3. Businessman demonstrates how he has implemented the strategies of B-BBEE in the following areas:

• Enterprise Development
• Social Economic Development
• Skills Development
• Employment Equity