All in all 18 finalists were elected, three for the six different categories, namely: entrepreneur, emerging entrepreneur, social entrepreneur, professional, corporate and the government. Prof Venter was one of three finalists nominated for the Government Category, which she eventually won.
Elmarie was nominated in her role as the Director of the NMMU Family Business Unit, the first and only of its kind in Africa. Prof Venter said it was a privilege to be part of this special group of women who are all successful in their own right.
Another highlight for Prof Venter was to meet Dr Precious Matsepe, who expressed her interest in family businesses and the Family Business Unit, being part of a family business herself. She is also the co-founder and vice-chairperson of the Motsepe Foundation.
From left to right: Mr Cumesh Moodliar of Investec Private Bank (Judge), Prof Elmarie Venter and Dr Precious Matsepe (Guest Speaker)
From left to right: Three government category finalists: Dr Charlotte Hendricks - Alpha Primary, Seki Mandaba (NMB Municipality), Prof Elmarie Venter (NMMU)
The six winners were announced during a gala dinner at the Boardwalk Hotel Convention Centre in Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, 16 June. Dr Moloi-Motsepe, Co-Founder and Vice Chairperson, Motsepe Foundation; and, Founder and Executive Chairperson, African Fashion International was the guest speaker.
From left to right: Winners: Berenice Rose (social entrepreneur), Lana Field (emerging entrepreneur), Elana van Rooyen (entrepreneur), Elmarie Venter (government), Candice Parker (corporate), Pumeza Bono (professional)
From left to right: Lerator Ntaba, Dr Precious Matsepe, Jarita Raga and Prof Elmarie Venter. Lerator and Jarita are two of Prof Venter's Entrepreneurship honours students.
From left to right: Pieter Swart (NMMU), Elmarie and husband Johan
Back from left to right: Ms Nadine Oosthuizen, Prof Shelley Farrington, Ms Beverley Gray, Jarita Raga, Prof Madéle Tait, Ms Lerato Ntaba
Front from left to right: Juané Venter (daughter), Elmarie and Johan Venter (husband)