South African Innovators Receive Top Honors at the 11th All Africa Business Leaders Awards

by
1 min read
innovation community development

Melvyn Lubega and Daniel Ndima, two South African business leaders, were recognized for their exceptional contributions to innovation and community development at the 11th All Africa Business Leaders Awards (AABLA) in partnership with CNBC Africa.

Innovator of the Year: Daniel Ndima

Daniel Ndima, CEO of CapeBio, a biotech firm specializing in the development and manufacturing of life science research reagents, was awarded the title of Innovator of the Year. CapeBio made history by becoming the first African company to produce rapid COVID-19 test kits.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

CapeBio originated as a research project in 2015 and evolved into a privately-owned company supported by E2 Investments and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA). It aims to reduce African countries’ reliance on imported diagnostic reagents, ensuring affordable healthcare and timely medical interventions. CapeBio utilizes a proprietary artificial intelligence platform to discover valuable biomolecules such as enzymes, proteins, and peptides found in unique African microbial ecosystems. With a strong pipeline of innovative health technologies, CapeBio is set to have a significant impact on Africa’s scientific-industrial revolution.

All Africa Young Business Leader of the Year: Melvyn Lubega

Melvyn Lubega, executive chairperson of Baobab Group, was recognized as All Africa Young Business Leader of the Year. Baobab Group focuses on building and investing in ventures that make a meaningful impact on the communities they serve, spanning education and logistics. Lubega emphasized their commitment to solving the world’s most pressing problems through business endeavors.

Keynote Address by Deputy President Paul Mashatile

Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered a keynote address at the awards ceremony, acknowledging the challenges faced by the nation and the continent. Despite the difficulties, he expressed gratitude and appreciation for the nominees, describing them as ordinary individuals who have made extraordinary decisions in the face of adversity and challenges. He recognized their ability to bring glory to their organizations, inspire their teams, and serve as role models for future business leaders.

The Power of Innovation in Addressing Societal Challenges

Melvyn Lubega and Daniel Ndima exemplify the power of innovation in addressing societal challenges and improving lives. Their accomplishments at the All Africa Business Leaders Awards highlight the vital role that business leaders can play in shaping Africa’s future. As these entrepreneurs continue to break new ground, their ingenuity and determination will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of business leaders to tackle the most urgent challenges facing their communities and the world.

Tags:

You might be interested in

Amanda Wilson is a Cape Town-born journalist who covers the city’s evolving food scene for national and international outlets, tracing stories from Bo-Kaap spice shops to Khayelitsha micro-breweries. Raised on her grandmother’s Karoo lamb potjie and weekend hikes up Lion’s Head, she brings equal parts palate and pride to every assignment. Colleagues know her for the quiet warmth that turns interviews into friendships and fact-checks into shared laughter.

View all

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

incarceration prison reform
Previous Story

A Glimpse into the Struggles of Incarcerated Women and the Power of Journalism

underwater exploration safety policies
Next Story

The Tragic Implosion of the Titanic Sub and its Aftermath

Latest from Blog

Kiteboarding Extreme Sports

Forty Metres of Air: The Morning Kiteboarding Rewrote Physics

Hugo Wigglesworth, a young kiteboarder, defied gravity and rewrote the record books by soaring an incredible 40 meters into the air. He used powerful winds, a perfectly timed jump off a wave, and special gear to achieve this amazing feat. His careful planning and hundreds of practice runs made him fly higher than anyone before, showing the world what’s possible in kiteboarding.

housing crisis Airbnb

Airbnb Under Fire: How Cape Town’s Housing Crunch Became a Tourism Blame-Game

Cape Town’s housing woes are NOT really Airbnb’s fault, even though a viral photo tried to blame them! The real problem is that not enough homes are being built, and lots of new people are moving to the city. Getting building permits takes forever, making homes expensive. Airbnb brings in lots of money and jobs, and even if all Airbnbs disappeared, it wouldn’t fix the big housing shortage. The city needs to build more homes and make it easier to do so, not just point fingers at tourists.

Cape Town Restaurants

Cape Town’s Hottest Tables: Where Summer Tastes Like Salt, Smoke and Midnight Vinyl

Cape Town’s new restaurants are super exciting, offering amazing tastes from the ocean, farms, and even old recipes. Places like Amura serve unique sea dishes, while Tannin has a huge wine list and tiny plates. Café Sofi bakes heavenly pastries, Beach Buns makes awesome burgers, and Le Bistrot de JAN mixes French and South African flavors. These spots let you taste the city’s lively food scene, from fancy dinners to casual beach eats, making every meal an adventure.

South Africa Ocean

Between Concrete and Current – Four Inland Hearts Meet the Indian Ocean

This article tells a beautiful story of four South Africans from inland places who see the Indian Ocean for the very first time. For many, the sea is just a picture, far away and hard to reach. But when these brave people finally touch the salty water, it changes them deeply. They feel the ocean’s power, taste its salt, and understand that this huge, blue world is now a part of their own story, breaking down old ideas about who can connect with the sea.