Latest award bolsters Zanusi’s standing as leading South African SMME

Ten years after it was founded, Johannesburg-based Zanusi Brand Solutions is recognised as one of the most successful and dynamic SMME’s in the country.

The proof of this is easy to see: alongside its impressive array of clients (both nationally and across the continent) the company founded by Nomahlubi Simamane in 2001, has added yet another prestigious award to its growing collection after being named winner in the ‘Fast Growth SMME’ category at the African Access National Business Awards held on the 23^rd of June 2011 at the Sandton Convention Gala Event.

The awards are viewed as the “Oscars” of the businessworld and showcase a range of entrepreneurial and corporate talent. In particular, the annual awards honour leaders and leading companies that have made a significant contribution to the South African economy.

Says Simamane, “At the core of everything we do is a commitment to our clients to deliver 21^st century integrated marketing solutions that are well and truly rooted in the country and continent we live in. It is gratifying to be recognised for this work, which is the result of the efforts of the entire team.”

Zanusi’s team is in many ways what sets it apart: the leading strategic brand consulting firm is 100% Black-owned, employs 16 full-time professionals of whom 71% are women. In addition, its ability to create jobs by calling on the services of contractors and individuals for particular projects (like the Joburg International Arts Alive Festival) is another of Zanusi’s strengths.

Since its establishment in 2011, Zanusi has become a leader in integrated brand services; it has continued to flex its muscles in the SMME terrain with a significant business growth from 2006-2010 translating into a 276% growth.

Over the past few years, the expansion of Zanusi’s footprint into Kenya, Zambia and lately Rwanda and partnerships in Ghana and Ivory Coast has added to its sustained and growing impact.

Zanusi’s client base is also expanding – and is impressively diverse for a SMME. On its home base, Zanusi’s services are used by Airports Company South Africa, Pick n Pay, Liberty Properties, City of Johannesburg, Motjoli Resources, Markham, Bayer SA, BP SA, Old Mutual and many others.

The Fast Growth SMME win at the African Access National Business Awards isn’t the first award for Zanusi.  The company won the ‘Top Empowered SMME’ Award at the 2011 Annual Metropolitan Oliver Empowerment Awards on 24th March 2011 as well as the Black Business Quarterly (BBQ) Award for ‘Best Established SMME’ on 15th October 2010.

In 2009, Simamane was named Businesswoman of the Year at the Annual Black Business Quarterly (BBQ) Awards – adding to her award for Top Businesswoman of the Year at the National Business Awards a few months earlier. She is currently a Finalist in the SA's Most Influential Women in Business and Government 2011 Awards".

Simamane has also been a finalist in the 2006 Nedbank-sponsored Business Women’s Association’s Regional Business Achievers Awards; the 2007 Top Women Awards (in the Top Women in Business and Government Company Category) and CEO Magazine’s Most Influential Women ‘Meritorious Award’ in the SMME: Business Service Sector.

The company was recognised By Financial Mail’s 2008 Adfocus Awards as a finalist in the Branding and Design Sector and ranked 15th.