Altron group CEO Mteto Nyati, Spear Riet chairperson and founder Abu Varachhia and Lionshare Holdings CEO Ike Chalumbira have been named as Southern Africa’s leading entrepreneurs by EY Africa in the respective categories of Influence, Inspire and Ignite.

The trio were selected as EY World Entrepreneur Award Southern Africa winners among entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as entrepreneurial spirit, value creation, strategic direction, impact, innovation and purpose-driven leadership.

They include traditional entrepreneurs who are founders and leaders of high-growth companies.

“It is no secret that entrepreneurs can change the world and help reframe the future and like many of us over the past year, they have faced a steep learning curve amidst the global pandemic. Congratulations to them,” said EY Africa CEO Ajen Sita.

The awards are given to entrepreneurs who have demonstrated excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, risk and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

Winners are founders and leaders of high-growth companies, as well as transformational executives who may not have started their company but have been essential to its success.

Nyati, as the ‘Influence’ winner, will join finalists from over 45 countries to compete for the title of 2021 EY World Entrepreneur of the Year in June this year.

The author and businessperson has enabled the dramatic transformation of Altron into a world-class information and communications technology organisation.

For his contributions, he was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Management in 2020 and Business Leader of the Year in 2019.

Varachhia, through his thirst for success, high levels of integrity, work ethic and professionalism, built the largest privately-held professional services organisation, while Chalumbira is a focused, highly principled and value-adding leader who grew Lionshare into a diversified investment private equity organisation.

“I always find it inspiring to hear how people can, rather than cannot. These entrepreneurs demonstrate extraordinary business acumen, leadership excellence and the desire to uplift and serve. Working with these entrepreneurs, who have not let anything get in their way to achieve the impossible, has been astonishing,” said EY Africa private leader and programme leader Azim Omar.

The finalists in the Influence category included Oceana Group CEO Imraan Soomra and Alviva Holdings CEO Pierre Spies.

The finalists in the Inspire category included Bitumen World CEO and founder Andre Zietsman, Insurance Underwriting Managers CEO and founder Antonio Iozzo and Halsted Builders Express CEO Stuart Knight.

In the Ignite category, the finalists were AMP Group CEO Lester Jones, Boniswa Corporate Solutions CEO and founder Lynnette Magasa and Decision Inc CEO Nick Bell.