Meet the winners of the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards

On the night of the 15th of June 2023, we saw the second annual Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards, brought to you by Standard Bank . Held at the Sandton Convention Centre, the awards celebrated the outstanding achievements of young entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, resilience, and innovation in building their own brands.  

Pamela Mtanga: Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards 2023 host

Voted for from a pool of 64 nominees making a significant impact in their respective industries, the winners of the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards have showcased unwavering commitment, while driving positive change through their products and services. 

And the winners are… 

  • Accessories – Bona By Wenzy M 
  • Agriculture, sponsored by the IDC – Evergreen Ageing 
  • Apparel – GALXBOY 
  • Beverages, sponsored by CCBSA – Grandeur Premium Gin 
  • Hair & Beauty – Swiitch Beauty 
  • Homeware – Mo’s Crib 
  • Media – Public Health Entertainment 
  • NPO & Charities – ZA Powerhouse 
  • Travel & Tourism – Mogopodi Adventures 
  • Technology, sponsored by Telkom – Reslocate 
  • Services, sponsored by Brand South Africa – Legends Barber 
  • Health & Wellness – Numa Medical Aesthetics 
  • Education, sponsored by Wits Business School – Libertalia Group 
  • Food – The Lazy Makoti 
  • Footwear – Bathu 
  • Personalities & Influencers, sponsored by Lunch Bar – Snikiwe Mhlongo

Additionally, Legends Barber was recognized as the Overall Top Brand, representing the epitome of excellence in the youth-owned brand landscape. 

Pat Mahlangu: Founder & CEO (Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards)

“We are thrilled to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of these outstanding youth-owned brands,” said Pat Mahlangu, CEO and founder of the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards. “Their accomplishments serve as a testament to their entrepreneurial spirit and ability to create innovative solutions that make a positive difference. We congratulate each and every winner and wish them continued success in their endeavors.” 

“These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work we’ve put into building Legends Barber. It’s an honour to be recognized as the overall top brand, and to be among such exceptional young entrepreneurs. We believe in our mission to provide the best grooming experience while positively impacting our community. This award motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and creating a legacy,” said Sheldon Tatchell, founder of Legends Barber. 

Sheldon Tatchell: Founder (Legends Barber)

These extraordinary young entrepreneurs have not only demonstrated exceptional business acumen but have also made a lasting impact on their communities and society at large. Their passion, drive, and dedication serve as an inspiration to aspiring young entrepreneurs. 

The Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards extends heartfelt congratulations to all the winners, recognizing their hard work, dedication, and ingenuity. “We eagerly anticipate their future accomplishments and the continued positive impact they will make,” concludes Pat. 

Winners of the inaugural Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards announced

Top 16 YOBA trophy

Just a day before commemorating the June 16 Soweto Students Uprising. Pat on Brands, a digital media platform that is always on the Pulse with Brands, announced the winners of its inaugural awards initiative – Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBA) brought to you by Sakhumnotho Group Holdings.

Image: Created by David ‘Slaying Goliath’ Tshabalala

What Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards Is About

The main aim of YOBA is to recognise the excellence, innovation, and hard work of South African youth-owned brands across 16 categories. The honors were revealed and celebrated on the 15th of June 2022 under the theme ‘Real Recognises Real’ at The Capital: On the Park in Sandton.

More than 500 entrepreneurs, marketers, academics, and celebrities gathered at The Capital: On the Park hotel in Sandton to celebrate and support South African youth-owned brands.

“Any nation that doesn’t invest in its own youth is sabotaging its future. As Sakhumnotho Group Holdings, young people are at the heart of what we do. With a staff complement that averages the age of 34, we’re the true definition of an organisation that believes in young leadership. Having been the naming sponsor for the Top 16 Youth Owned Brands Awards has been a reflection of what we stand for as a world-class Pan-African investment holdings company” says Mosa Ntwampe – Group Head Marketing & Corporate Communication at Sakhumnotho Group Holdings.

Image: Mosa Ntwampe

The esteemed awards were developed by Pat on Brands in partnership with Sakhumnotho Group Holdings (SGH), to recognise and further empower South African brands that are owned and run by the youth between the ages of 18 –35 – to also shine a spotlight on their impact, and extraordinary contribution to the country’s GDP.

Taking From History

The youth of 1976 was fighting a political fight and the youth of today is fighting an economic one. They are the drivers of economic growth and job creation in South Africa. It is for these reasons that youth empowerment and involvement are important to build a stronger economy. According to the IFC report, small businesses employ between 50 and 60% of South Africa’s workforce and contribute 34% of the GPD.

Thebe Ikalafeng – Founder and Chairman of Brand Africa, stated during his keynote address “We need to support local brands because brands build companies and companies hire people and people pay tax and tax builds a country.

Image: Thebe Ikalafeng – Founder of Brand Africa

The top 16 YOBA received 482 highly competitive awards nominations in 16 different categories. Each category had four nominated brands and only one brand with more votes was titled the ‘top brand’ in the respective categories.

“As much as we celebrate young people’s brands, I would like for you to recognize the fact that young people are not sitting folding their hands, they are actually knocking on doors and creating amazing brands that helps our economy grow” says Pat Mahlangu – Founder of Pat on Brands/ Lerato Agency.

A panel of judges consisting of industry award-winners, marketers, thought leaders, and academics, carefully reviewed each entry and evaluated them based on a measurable result to determine the strongest front runner of each category. The nominees were further evaluated by a leading black-owned chartered accountants firm called Khumalo & Mabuya attorneys.

Top 16 List of Winners

Image: Top 16 YOBA trophies

TSHEPO JEANS won the “Overall Top Brand” category sponsored by Sakhumnotho Group Holdings and the top Apparel Brand category award.

The category winners for the inaugural Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards in 2022 are as follows:

  • Overall Top Brand – (Sponsored by Sakhumnotho) – Tshepo Jeans
  • Top Footwear Brand – Bathu

Congratulation to all our winners for building amazing brands that build our economy. We would also like to thank our sponsors, Sakhumnotho Holdings Group, Lerato Agency, Khumalo & Mabuya, Black Crown, Reveel Group, MTN Pulse, Nik Naks, UJ FM and Global School of Entrepreneurship for pulling through for the youth of South Africa.