The Johannesburg Business School’s Centre for Entrepreneurship has inaugurated the first Raymond Ackerman Academy of Entrepreneurial Development (RAA-ED) Alumni Awards, marking both a celebration of entrepreneurial excellence and a tribute to a 20-year partnership between the Academy and the University of Johannesburg.
The annual awards, with a prize fund of R200,000, aim to recognise alumni who have translated the Academy’s ethos of resilience, innovation, leadership and social impact into thriving ventures that shape communities and markets alike. Each of the four category winners received R50,000 to reinvest into their businesses, underscoring the Academy’s commitment to nurturing growth long after formal training ends.
Celebrating Africa’s Entrepreneurial Pioneers
Among the honourees was Sibulelo Mafrika, founder of Zithandele Cleaning Services, recipient of the Resilient Entrepreneur Award. Since its founding in 2020, the Cape Town-based enterprise has become a trusted player in facilities management and specialised cleaning across residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
Sibulelo has embedded sustainability into the company’s DNA, investing in staff training, eco-conscious practices and advanced equipment to minimise environmental impact.
Her company exemplifies the Academy’s triple-bottom-line philosophy of planet, profit and people. Beyond service delivery, Zithandele creates meaningful employment, equipping workers with specialised cleaning skills while building a company that aspires to scale nationally.
Innovation and scalability were recognised in the work of Namhla Nada-Nanda Dotwana, whose Namhla Collection reflects the bold creativity and expansion potential of African design-led businesses.
Siphiwo Lushaba from Eswatini was awarded for Leadership Excellence through Talksy Wellness, a mental health venture using digital platforms to promote psychological resilience in communities where stigma often stifles dialogue.
Mabakuena Mokhantso, founder of Boloka Waste Management in Lesotho, received the Social Impact Award for pioneering sustainable waste solutions that link community development with environmental stewardship.
Two Decades of Entrepreneurial Transformation
The awards also served as a living tribute to the vision of Raymond Ackerman, the late founder of Pick n Pay, whose enduring commitment to entrepreneurship lives on through the Academy. In a heartfelt address, his daughter Kathy Ackerman-Robins reflected:
“Today was truly special. We came together for the RAA Alumni Small Business Competition hosted at UJ Johannesburg Business School and my heart is full. We shared a moving remembrance of our dad, and we honoured 20 years of the RAA partnership with UJ two decades of watching students and businesses grow, thrive, and inspire” said Mrs Kathy Ackerman-Robins.”
From spoken word performances to the reflections of distinguished jurors, the ceremony underscored the Academy’s belief that entrepreneurship is not merely about profit but about reshaping society.
Building Africa’s Entrepreneurial Future
Launched two decades ago to empower young people often excluded from mainstream university pathways, the RAA-ED has equipped thousands with the life and business skills to become economically active. Its alumni network continues to yield stories of resilience and ingenuity stories that now resonate far beyond South Africa’s borders.
By recognising alumni achievements through these awards, the Academy signals that its mission is ongoing, to embed entrepreneurial mindsets, fuel Africa’s innovation economy and create businesses that balance commercial growth with societal good.
