Judges & Speakers

2022 Judges for each categories are listed below.

Exporter of the Year

Mr Michael Gamwo

Michael Gamwo is the Head of Africa within the International Trade Unit at Wesgro. The overall aim of Africa unit is to contribute to the growth and development of the Western African region through facilitation of Trade and outward investment between Western Cape and the rest of the continent, with a particular focus on countries such Angola, DRC, Gabon, Congo, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana Cote d’ivoire, Senegal, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Kenya and Rwanda.

In addition to his International Trade Promotion expertise, Gamwo successfully runs regular Africa business networking forums, which are a platform for business people on the continent to network and interact with South African companies, with the view of forming partnerships to explore opportunities in Africa. The success of these programmes also rests on Gamwo’s ability to develop strategic partnerships with companies, governments, international organisations and NGOs operating in the African region. Michael has featured in several local and international business magazines and tv programmes dealing with intra African trade and Investments.

Prior to working at Wesgro, Gamwo held Export Manager Positions at two Cape Town based companies, driving their penetration into African countries. Michael holds an LLB and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree from the University of Cape Town. He is also completing a Masters in development finance from the University of Stellenbosch

Ms Janice Jonathan

Lover of Cheesecake. International Trade Marketer. Socially Conscious Aspiring Entrepreneur. Responsible Economic Development enthusiast. Ambitious, results-driven professional with a track record of successful Industrial Development Projects, investment attraction, and international business marketing projects.

Extensive experience within export marketing, business development, investment assistance, as well as Industrial Development at the dti. Consistent and meticulous, with keen attention to detail. Has an extensive network of valuable business contacts throughout RSA and abroad. Strategic orientiation offering exposure and experience in business development, export management, marketing, and incentive administration, works well in a deadline driven environment and is able to make effective leadership decisions under pressure.

Accustomed to being both a project leader and team player, who enjoys engaging with a variety of people and adapts easily to new challenges.

Mr Warwick Blamey

Warwick started his career at Invicta Holdings before moving into a role as head
analyst at a leading asset management and derivatives trading house which followed
with a move to SA partner of UK based BCMS Corporate where he was a deal maker
in their M&A division focusing on Sub Saharan Africa.

Foxvest Group was founded in
2016 which has grown into a diversified investment holdings with operations spanning over sub-Saharan Africa.

Warwick’s expertise is focused on investments into agriculture, manufacturing, tech, and services industries, where he has been involved in various transactions over the past decade. Warwick holds a BCOM and an MBA from Edinburgh Business School.

Trade Promotions Service Provider of the Year

Mr Fana Marivate

Fana Marivate CA (SA) is an experienced project finance specialist and green-energy development company executive. He holds a BCompt (Hons) degree and is a Chartered Accountant (SA).

His career has spanned over 25 years, and has covered mining (JCI Limited), consulting (Deloitte), project finance (the IDC) and energy project development. Fana is the Founder of The Back Office Company (Pty) Ltd

Mr Francois Fouche

Managing Director / Executive Director – Growth Diagnostics

.

Capital Provider of the Year

Mr Bongani Ntshangase

Mr. Bongani Ntshangase is the Executive Manager –Trade Promotion at the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority with vast managerial experience across a number of functional disciplines in the business environment including Operations in Customer Services, Tax Administration, Marketing, Public Relations, Commercial Management, ICT and Project Management. He hold a Master’s Degree in Business Management, a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science & Mathematics, as well as a Certificate in Corporate Governance.

Mr. Ntshangase started his career in IT (Information Technology) as a systems programmer at UNISWA and later joined the Eswatini Water Services Corporate as an IT Technician, a position he held for 2 years before assuming the role of Systems Administrator and later IT Manager in the same organization In 2004, Mr. Ntshangase was appointed to lead the launch of a Customer Services Department within the Eswatini Water Services Corporate, a role he held for 6 years as the Customer Services Manager. He then joined the Eswatini Electricity Company in 2011 as the Marketing & Commercial Manager, a position he held for 2 years.

In 2013, Mr. Ntshangase joined the Eswatini Revenue Authority as an Operations Director in the Domestic Taxes department. He worked for the SRA for a period of 5 years before joining the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority as the Executive Manager responsible for Domestic and External Trade promotion.

Ms Chibone Evans

Ms Chiboni Evans is the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Electrotechnical Export Council. The South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC) is a trade organisation established as a Public Private Partnership between South African business and the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) to facilitate the export growth and internationalisation of its member companies.

Ms Chiboni Evans is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Certified Accountants. Chiboni trained as an auditor with Deliotte Haskins and Sells in Zambia and qualified at Emile Woolf College of Accountancy in London before returning to South Africa from exile in 1995. Ms. Evans has gained experience working with major global organisations that include Cargill Inc., the Mars Corporation, SAB Miller and IMIS Global.

As Financial Controller Mars Inc Africa Division Chiboni was an integral part of the executive management team that guided this American Multinational’s re-entry into South Africa and thus Africa by proving financial assessments as to whether these markets were suitable for future investments by Mars Inc. Through her work as Export Services Manager at SAB Miller in South Africa, Chiboni pioneered the design and installation of a business information system for the exports department. During her tenure with IMIS Global the company won a number of accolades including the JCCI Emerging Exporter of the Year award in 2008 and in 2009 was second runner up in the Africa SMME awards in the Innovation Sector.

Chiboni chaired the Board of the South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC) from 2007 to 2012 and in April 2014 accepted the executive appointment to the position of CEO of the SAEEC. The Council is a not-for- gain organisation, public private partnership with thedti and represents over 90 South African registered companies engaged in the export of electrotechnical products from South Africa. Chiboni is also the co-chair of the Engineering and Technology Grouping of Export Councils.

This grouping of export councils, comprising Rail, Steel, Mining and Built Environment sectors, has a reach of close to one thousand South African national and multinational companies, through its membership base and that of its associated industry bodies. The grouping advocates on behalf of their members to government, multilateral institutions and other relevant bodies both in South Africa and internationally to maximise African content in African projects.

Ms Florence Muleya

Florence has over 10 years work experience in research and policy analysis. Florence has a Master of Science degree in Trade Policy and Trade Law from Lund University, Sweden, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics with Public Administration from the University of Zambia

Buyer of the Year

Mrs Xolelwa Majiza

Mrs Xolelwa Majiza Studied Bachelor in Social Science; Post Graduate Diploma in Community Development both at the University of Natal now know as University of KwaZulu Natal. Masters in Development Studies, currently enrolled for PhD in Development Studies at the University of Fort Hare.

Employed by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality in the Directorate Economic Development and Agencies. Holding a position of the General Manager: Trade, Industry and Sector Development. Have more than 10 years experience in the field of economic development

Ms Lizelle Maurice

Executive Director – Border Kei Chamber of Business

Ms Malira Sikonyela

A Trade Facilitation and Promotion Manager at the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC), promoting Lesotho as a source destination to foreign buyers. Experience in both trade and investment promotion, private sector development and regional integration.

Skills in trade and investment facilitation, export development, business management training, provision of business aftercare services for retaining and expansion of businesses, provision of diagnosis and business advisory, business plan development and appraisal of business proposals, facilitation of investment forums and trade fairs, a team player with very good stakeholder engagement and management skills.

Judges & Speakers

Exporter of the Year

Mr Michael Gamwo

Ms Janice Jonathan

Mr Warwick Blamey

Trade Promotions Service Provider of the Year

Mr Fana Marivate

Mr Francois Fouche

.

Capital Provider of the Year

Mr Bongani Ntshangase

Ms Chibone Evans

Ms Florence Muleya

Buyer of the Year

Mrs Xolelwa Majiza

Ms Lizelle Maurice

Ms Malira Sikonyela

2022 SPEAKERS

keynote speaker

Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina

welcome message and message of support

Honourable Mlungisi Mvoko

vote of thanks

Counsellor Eugene Johnson

INTRODUCTION OF THE ADJUDICATORS / FINALISTS / NOMINEES

Mr. Phakamisa George

Acknowledgement of dignitaries

Mr Vuyani Jarana

presentation of awards: capital provider of the year

Selma Nghinamundova

presentation of awards: Trade Promotions Service Provider of the year

Cristóvão Gemo

HOST

Daron Mann

Entertainment

The Denzil Africa Vusa Band

Judges & Speakers

Exporter of the Year

Mr Michael Gamwo

Ms Janice Jonathan

Mr Warwick Blamey

Trade Promotions Service Provider of the Year

Mr Fana Marivate

Mr Francois Fouche

.

Capital Provider of the Year

Mr Bongani Ntshangase

Ms Chibone Evans

Ms Florence Muleya

Buyer of the Year

Mrs Xolelwa Majiza

Ms Lizelle Maurice

Ms Malira Sikonyela

2022 SPEAKERS

keynote speaker

Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina

welcome message and message of support

Honourable Mlungisi Mvoko

vote of thanks

Counsellor Eugene Johnson

INTRODUCTION OF THE ADJUDICATORS / FINALISTS / NOMINEES

Mr. Phakamisa George

Acknowledgement of dignitaries

Mr Vuyani Jarana

presentation of awards: capital provider of the year

Selma Nghinamundova

presentation of awards: ​Trade Promotions Service Provider of the year

Cristóvão Gemo

HOST

Daron Mann

Entertainment

The Denzil Africa Vusa Band

presentation of awards: Trade Promotions Service Provider of the year