Al-Qalam 
The 14th Annual Minara Business Recognition Awards also marked 25 years since its founding, reports Ismail Suder, who attended.
While guests tucked into sumptuous food at the glittering Minara Chamber of Commerce annual business awards recently, the core message delivered was that growth could only be achieved through entrepreneurship, empowerment of communities, and ethical leadership.
Many of the Who’s Who of business, political leaders, diplomats, and members of civil society attended the prestigious 14th Annual Minara Business Recognition Awards, held at the opulent NMJ Hall in Morningside, Durban. The event was to honour excellence in entrepreneurship and reaffirm a shared commitment to South Africa’s economic renewal.
The grand event was also special because it marked the 25th anniversary of the Minara Chamber of Commerce,
Delivering the opening address, Ebrahim Patel – who took over the helm from longtime president, Solly Suleman – reaffirmed the organisation’s founding mission to promote entrepreneurship, empower communities, and strengthen economic participation through collaboration and ethical leadership.
“From humble beginnings, the Chamber has developed into a respected institution championing entrepreneurship, creating platforms for trade and investment, forging international networks, and recognising excellence through our Business Awards,” said Patel. “Guided by our motto ‘Leadership in Business through Empowerment and Collaboration’, we remain driven not only by business, but by a profound sense of purpose.”
In a powerful message directed at government and industry leaders, Patel underscored the urgent need for industrialisation as the cornerstone of South Africa’s economic recovery.
“Industrialisation must be a national priority. It is the foundation for creating sustainable jobs, boosting exports, and strengthening local supply chains. We must move beyond endless analysis and planning towards real implementation. South Africa’s growth will not be achieved through speeches or documents, but through tangible deeds,” he said.
Referencing the economic successes of countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Türkiye, he called for an ambitious industrial policy anchored on strong public-private partnerships, streamlined bureaucracy, and clear accountability.
Patel paid tribute to the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thamsanqa Ntuli, MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs. Rev Musa Zondi, and Cllr Cyril Xaba, Mayor of eThekwini, “whose presence symbolised government’s commitment to collaboration with the private sector”.
Patel highlighted both the challenges and opportunities facing the nation — from geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty to emerging prospects in the African Continental Free Trade Area, the green economy, and the $7 trillion global Halal industry “South Africa’s abundant mineral resources position us to play a significant role in the global semiconductor and electric vehicle supply chains,” he noted. “Moreover, the Halal economy presents vast, untapped potential — from food and pharmaceuticals to finance and cosmetics.”
The evening culminated in the announcement of the 2025 Minara Business Recognition Award winners, honouring outstanding South African entrepreneurs and business leaders who exemplify excellence and integrity:
• Business Entity – Large Category: Gorimas
• Business Entity – Medium Category: Valternative Energy
• Business Entity – Start-up Category: Racket Rescue
• Businessperson of the Year: Ismail Simjee, CEO of Tropic Plastic
• Businesswoman of the Year: Amina Abraham, Founder of Exotic Taste
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Rishaad Joosab, CEO of Plastimed
• Professional Achiever Award: Abdool Aziz Tayob, respected South African Architect
• Community Builder Award (Joint Winners): Hafsa Carim and Hoosein Saloojee both from the Gauteng Province.
The Minara Chamber congratulated all winners and finalists for their remarkable achievements and for embodying the spirit of innovation and empowerment.
Patel pointed out that as the Chamber enters its next quarter-century, it remains steadfast in its commitment to serving as a bridge between business and government, South Africa and the world, and commerce and conscience.
“Our legacy will not be defined by what we promised, but by what we built,” Patel added. “Together, we can build a South Africa defined not by its challenges, but by its opportunities.”As the speeches ended, there was a sudden buzz across the hall when waiters fanned out serving an array of tasty dishes, from steaming hot chicken haleem, special lamb kalia and butter chicken – oh, and that was only the mains! As time inched closer to 11 pm, some guests were still tucking into their dessert. As people left – with bellies full – you could say that the business of the day was truly done.
