Entries now open for 2021 Absa Business Day Supplier Development Awards

Entries have opened for the fourth annual Absa Business Day Supplier Development Awards which recognise and celebrate supplier development best practice and encourage collaboration among large African companies that are committed to building inclusive and transformed supply chains.

Launched in 2018, the inaugural awards attracted more than 400 entries across diverse industries and have grown in scope and impact.

Vusi Fele, Absa Group’s chief procurement officer, says the awards align well with Absa’s values of “Africanacity” in promoting growth, innovation and prosperity on the African continent.

“We are proud to be partnering with the Supplier Development Awards for the fourth year in a row, as we continue to promote the development of robust and sustainable supply chains in SA and Africa.

“Absa’s continued involvement with and support of these awards is motivated by our confidence and belief that having robust and inclusive supply chains is crucial if we are to drive the growth and development of a viable SME sector that can contribute to sustainable economic growth,” says Fele.

“The importance of supplier development, particularly in the current South African context of Covid-19 and beyond, can no longer be gainsaid. We believe that opening up opportunities for SMEs to access corporate supply and delivery chains is one of the most efficient and consistent ways in which established corporates can contribute to sustainable entrepreneurship development. This will be even more crucial for economic recovery after Covid-19.

“It is in times like these that SMEs become critical to supporting the value chains of the mainstream economy, to help drive economic revival after disruptive shocks such as the pandemic, absorb or shore up some of the jobs lost due to the self- preservation and survivalist strategies,” says Fele.

This year, the awards programme includes an engaging series of online Africa-wide Supplier Development Dialogues, with a focus on the growth of SMMEs. During Youth Month in June, the Supplier Development Dialogue focused on empowering the youth through entrepreneurship.

Key themes include:

• The value and changing role of women in the value chain;
• The future of jobs and its impact on supply chains;
• Bridging the digital divide for small suppliers;
• Access to finance for small suppliers as a tool to boost growth; and
• The role of ethics in the business value chain.

Catherine Wijnberg, one of the co-founders of the awards, notes that past award winners highlight how supplier development that is deployed as a strategic business imperative helps strengthen competitive advantage and ensures business viability. This leads to healthier supply chains that can grow employment during challenging economic times such as this Covid-19 period.

“We are delighted with the growing strength of the awards and very pleased that the supplier development ecosystem will now extend into Africa. This year’s awards programme is even more interactive and engaging, with opportunities for interactive sharing and learning between leading corporates and the suppliers they support,” she says. 

Previous award winners include some of SA's most prominent corporate brands: Massmart, Sappi SA, Distell, Hatch, Exxaro, Empact Group, SAB, Macsteel, Spar, Unilever and Tiger Brands.

The 2021 winners of the Absa Business Day Supplier Development Awards will be announced on November 18 2021.

Entries are now open and can be made online at www.sdawards.co.za.

For more information and to register for the next in the digital dialogues series, also visit www.sdawards.co.za.