According to Suzy Boucher, managing executive of HCI Africa and advisory and judging partner for the 2013 DHL Rising Star Awards, in light of the recent headlines around South Africa's dire skills shortage, it is incredibly encouraging to receive entries from numerous young talented individuals across various sectors.
"It is particularly pleasing to note the diversity, in terms of skills sets and roles, which we see in this year's entrants, as this confirms the existence of talent across a broad spectrum, which obviously increases the scope of potential talent pools."
Boucher said that the awards, now in their second year, were established for the purpose of recognising, celebrating and connecting young, talented people who have not only demonstrated achievement and success, but have also contributed in an inspirational manner to the future of South Africa.
She added that recent reports, such as Manpower's 2013 Talent Shortage Survey, only reiterate how South Africa's workplace must intensify efforts to identify, recognise and develop talented individuals. "Not only will a company increase its talent pool by identifying and developing its talented employees, but it will also positively affect the organisation's competitiveness as a result."
The survey revealed that almost one in five employers are currently facing significant talent shortages and that the most commonly used strategy by employers to address the talent shortages is to train and develop existing staff.
"While there is an undeniable scarcity of skilled resources in certain sectors, South Africa is also home to an abundance of individuals with untapped potential who either aren't aware of how to demonstrate their capabilities, or haven't been given the opportunity to showcase their skills.
"The awards are designed to discover this talent by enabling organisations to engage directly with their employees and provide them with an open platform to present their talent."
Boucher said that the reputable status of the companies from which the finalists originate reinforces the view that engaged and developed employees are crucial to the success of a business. "A simple yet powerful way in which to engage employees, and effectively focus any development efforts, is to recognise individuals.
"Recognising employees' abilities and strengths, and then putting those abilities to work and developing those strengths to serve the business, almost unfailingly results in more engaged employees who will deliver superior service and, ultimately, improve a business' success."
The 49 finalists operate in 11 different business sectors, namely: Energy and Chemicals; Entrepreneur/SMME; Banking and Financial Services; Tourism and Hospitality; ICT; Logistics and Supply Chain; Media and Marketing; Mining and Industrials; Professional Services; Public and Private Service; and Retail and FMCG.
Four or five finalists are selected per business sector and will join the Rising Star Network, an exclusive network which all Rising Star finalists, judges and mentors belong to. "While there will be only one Rising Star from each sector, all finalists join the Rising Star Network, a forum providing ongoing support and learning, which is vital for further growth."
The 2013 DHL Rising Stars will be announced at an awards evening at Montecasino in Joburg on 15 August, 2013. "The 2013 Rising Star Awards finalists have presented impressive credentials and we anticipate an exciting and challenging judging process leading up to the awards evening," concluded Boucher.
Energy and Chemicals (sponsor: Sasol)
Chantelle Greyling, Natref / Sasol
Cobus Pieterse, Sasol Technology
Dineo Kwili, Consolidated Power Projects
Tshifhiwa Maphala, Shell South Africa
Warwick Hayes, Sasol
Entrepreneur/SMME (sponsor: ACSA)
Chris Dykes, Infinity Learning
Justin van der Walt, Just Pc's
Lali Tshikalange, Key Recruitment Group
Ella Bella, Generation Earth
Wayne Sinclair, Sundowner Adventures
Banking and Financial Services (sponsor: Standard Bank)
Adriaan Kloppers, AIG South Africa Limited
Brandon Garbutt, Liberty Life
Setlogane Manchidi, Investec
Yaseen Ismail, AIG South Africa Ltd
Tourism & Hospitality (sponsor: Tsogo Sun)
Mariska Botha, Park Inn by Radisson Sandton
Ravi Nadasen, Tsogo Sun
Simo Mthimkulu, City Lodge Hotels Limited
Tshidi Mkhosana, FEDHASA
ICT
Gerard Dumont, IBM
Kathleen Langman, IBM
Tamzin Burrill, IBM South Africa
Tatenda Nyakubaya, ACCSYS
Logistics and Supply Chain (sponsor: DHL)
Leeanne Soobramoney, The Point Of Purchase Warehouse
Ntando Mpofu, SAEL
Shaun Naidoo (Vishnu), Rohlig Grindrod (PTY) Ltd
Siveshnie Moodley, Rohlig Grindrod (PTY) Ltd
Sylvester Moodley, Kumara Freight CC
Media and Marketing
Claudia Cutino, Strike Media
Paul Jackson, Volcano Group
Roberta Naidoo, Africa Business News
Shaun Naidoo, Love Johannesburg
Mining and Industrials (sponsor: Goldfields)
Gerald Wolmarans, EVRAZ Highveld Steel and Vanadium Limited
Nkuli Bogopa, Rio Tinto
Sarel Emmerick, ArcelorMittal South Africa
Travesh Ramkhelawan, ArcelorMittal South Africa Ltd
Professional Services (sponsor: SHL)
Agnes Dire, SizweNtsalubaGobodo
Charles Douglas, Bowman Gilfillan
Kim Dowdeswell, SHL South Africa
Bonolo Sinobolo, KPMG
Mmuso Selaledi, KPMG
Public and Private Service
Jeri-Lee Mowers, Rand Water
Kasturi Moodaliyar, University of Witwatersrand School of Law
Nicolene Barkhuizen, North-West University
Priza Mantsena, The South African Post Office
Seipati Mangadi, GGDA (Gauteng Growth Development Agency
Retail and FMCG
Ashleigh Mc Currie, Wetherlys
Jaco du Plessis, Ellerine Holdings
Teboho Chomane, Ellerine Holdings
Tsakane Mtenjane, Kimberly Clark
