Empowervate wins CSI Legacy Award for Best Rising NGO 2024

The CSI Legacy Awards took place in Pretoria on the 27^th February 2024.

Prominent figures in the business, government, and civil society sectors attended the event that celebrated people and groups who went above and beyond to make a difference in their communities through corporate social investment.

This year, there were 379 nominations across six categories, with 63 nominations received in each. 20 finalists were then selected by leaders from the country’s leading CSI and non-profit organisations, and those who did not win this year are also recognised as champions.

This year’s winners include organisations and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership in their respective fields. The winners are:

1. Best CEO – Velaphi Ratshefola for Coca-Cola Beverages SA. Presenter: Maurice Radebe Head and Director of Wits Business School
2. Best Corporate – Barloworld represented by Vovo Ngcwabe. Presenters: Kgotso Tsotsotso (Acting Head of Foundation and Senior Education Manager, Old Mutual) & Tsholofelo Mqhayi (Head of Social Transformation at Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa).
3. Best NGO – St. Joseph’s Intermediate Paediatric Care represented by Christelle Cornelius. Presenters: Jodi Schultz (National Lotteries Commission) and Riah Phiyega (Former National Commissioner of the South African Police Service)
4. Best Rising NGO – Empowervate represented by Amanda Blankfield-Koseff. Presenter: Zanele Shabalala
5. Best NGO Working with Disability – Socio Skills Foundation represented by Mahlongonolo Ngoepe. Presenter: Noluthando Mzabaza and
6. Best Social Entrepreneur – Tribe Impact Consulting represented by Gerna du Cheyne. Presenters: Samson Nkosi (Stakeholder Management and CSI, CSIR) & Eric Leong Son (Head of Sustainability, Heineken).

CSR News thanked their partners and sponsors, Standard Bank and the Road Accident Fund.

CSR News, in collaboration with Standard Bank, launched a seed funding project for the Best Rising NGO and the Best Social Entrepreneur. Standard Bank’s CSI initiatives acknowledge their pivotal role in society, and their association with the CSI Legacy Awards reaffirms Standard Bank’s organisational ethos and embodies their core principles. The Road Accident Fund motivated a new category for disability-related NGOs and non-profits. Winners in this category will be eligible to submit proposals for funding and prospective partnerships with the Road Accident Fund.

The judges and adjudicators faced the challenging responsibility of evaluating numerous applications. Their dedication, expertise, and time ultimately determined the finalists and winners in each category.

Finalists were judged by a formidable group of professionals, namely Steven Zwane (Chief Operating Officer, ABSA), Reana Rossouw (Chief Executive Officer, Next Generation), Alef Meulenberg (Director & Co-Founder, Rhiza Babuyile), Jodi Scholtz (Commissioner, National Lotteries Commission), Noluthando Mvabaza (CSI Manager, Road Accident Fund), and Eric Leong Son (Head of Sustainability, Heineken).

Nominations for the 2025 CSI Legacy Awards open on September 1, 2024, and close on September 30, 2024. The Awards have gathered momentum, and we firmly believe that the ongoing recognition of key contributors to corporate social responsibility will contribute to a better South Africa for everyone.