CELEBRATING YOUTH EXCELLENCE: TOP 16 YOUTH-OWNED BRANDS AWARDS ANNOUNCES 2024 WINNERS

The prestigious Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards concluded its 3rd annual ceremony at The Capital on The Park in Sandton, on 22 June. Celebrating the remarkable achievements of young African brand owners who have redefined industries and demonstrated exceptional excellence in building their own brands, the awards ceremony was hosted by the talented TV presenter, radio personality, MC and voice-over artist, Kgosi Rankhumise, alongside the esteemed former Miss Botswana, Palesa Molefe.

From a competitive pool of 76 nominees from across Africa, with votes from over 30,000 individuals, the winning brands have demonstrated exceptional impact and innovation in their respective fields. The Top 16 YOBAs celebrate not only entrepreneurial success but also the significant contributions of youth-led initiatives to the African business landscape.

And The Winners Are…

1.     Top Agriculture - Optimum Poultry

2.     Top Apparel - Active Lifestyle

3.     Top Creative & Arts - Karabo Poppy

4.     Top East Africa - The Hills Collection

5.     Top Education & Literature - Sivuyile Mentorship Academy

6.     Top Food & Beverages - Ghemere

7.     Top Footwear & Accessories - Khonkhe Kuhamba Kahle

8.     Top Hair & Beauty - Young Barber

9.     Top Health & Wellness - Zuri Nutrition

10.  Top Homeware - Kimmy's Creation

11.  Top Manufacturing - Grace Gras Empire

12.  Top Media - Millennial Mindset Media

13.  Top NPOs & Charities - Nomzamo Lighthouse Foundation

14.  Top Personalities & Influencers - Robot Boii

15.  Top SADC - Batoka Africa

16.  Top Services - Mdu Cleaning Services

17.  Top Technology - Bothlale AI Solutions

18.  Top Travel & Tourism - Bee Travel

19.  Top West Africa - Kemz Mama

In addition to these remarkable winners, Robot Boii was also honoured as the Overall Top Brand, embodying excellence as a personality and influencer within the industry. Robot Boii expressed his gratitude, 

“The Overall Top Brand award is personal to me. In all my interviews I always tell my people to not build careers, but brands; because when you are a brand you can change careers and not die when a career dies – you can do multiple things at the same time, understanding that it is all possible.”

Professor Bonang Mohale - chancellor of the University of the Free State, former president of Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), professor of practice at the Johannesburg Business School (JBS) in the College of Business and Economics and chairperson of The Bidvest Group, ArcelorMittal and SBV Services – received a well-deserved standing ovation after his powerful and thought-provoking keynote speech. In a nutshell, he mentioned that it is time to empower ourselves and that true wealth lies in transformative philanthropy, where genuine leaders prioritise the development of others, recognising that ego and arrogance are obstacles born from insecurity. In his speech, he also mentioned that embracing vulnerability as a strength and rejecting the false nobility of poverty are essential steps toward true empowerment and effective leadership.

Furthermore, the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards, in collaboration with Brand SA, proudly presented the first Global Excellence Award to South African fashion icon Thebe Magugu. The award celebrates and honour local youth-owned brands that are excelling in their fields and challenging status-quo. Reflecting on his achievement, Thebe Magugu remarked,

“Winning this award is special. It’s always nice to see clapping around you. It’s nice to see people who can acknowledge the difficult path we’ve taken in fashion, and it’s such an incredible validation for me. I want to continue making my people from home proud.”

Founder of the YOBAs, Pat Mahlangu, expressed his enthusiasm about this year's winners:

“The 2024 Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards have showcased excellence and innovation of young African brand owners. The winners are not just building brands; they are driving positive change across the continent and we are here to witness it.”

The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards extends heartfelt congratulations to all the winners, recognizing their hard work, dedication, and ingenuity in shaping the future of African entrepreneurship.

For more information on the YOBAs please visit, www.top16yoba.africa