ESG Africa conference is proud to announce that it will be partnering with The South African Breweries (SAB) for the second edition of the ‘Beyond Awards’. This event provides a platform to recognise people and organisations who are driving sustainable business practises in Africa. Additionally, SAB will be the headline sponsor of the ESG Africa Conference, which is scheduled to take place from the 1-2 October, at the Sandton Convention Centre. The conference aims to bring together business leaders from Africa to address pressing issues in sustainable practices. This year's theme, "moving from compliance to impact," emphasises equipping participants with practical tools to integrate ESG principles within their organizations.

SAB views the integration of sustainable principles as a strategic necessity, encouraging all organizations to adopt ethical and environmentally conscious operations. This approach not only supports a responsible business environment but is also a mission that SAB passionately champions through their sustainability efforts focusing on 4 key priorities: water, energy, agriculture and circular packaging.

“We are honoured to be working with SAB again for the second edition of these prestigious awards, which will take place on the 2nd of October, alongside the ESG Africa Conference” adds Joshua Low, co-founder of the ESG Africa conference. “We have been working hard to build an ecosystem of ESG and sustainability professionals over the few years, and the awards are an important addition to our initiatives aimed at driving greater awareness and education as to the benefits of ESG in driving a more sustainable future for all.”

In 2023, the Beyond Awards received over 88 entries from a range of companies, across 4 award categories. The awards ceremony, which took place on the 3rd of October, welcomed over 200 delegates to celebrate the winners of the awards, and the event was officiated by the Minister of Small Business Development: Honourable Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams.

Zoleka Lisa VP Corporate Affairs at SAB, says, “As a business that relies on natural resources to produce products loved and enjoyed by many South Africans, sustainability is at the core of SAB’s growth and strategy. We are committed to shaping a resilient future by responsibly managing these resources.

“With this in mind, SAB is proud to return as a headline sponsor for the second Beyond Awards, and we call on all individuals and organisations who go beyond to champion sustainability to enter the Beyond Awards.”

This year, the awards will include 5 categories:

• Beyond Large-Scale champion - This award recognizes and celebrates the organization that has most successfully embedded sustainability into its business model and practices with significant and measurable impact.
• Beyond Small-Scale champion - This award recognizes and celebrates the small-enterprise with the most substantial impact in sustainability, social responsibility, environmental stewardship, and governance.
• Beyond Sustainability Report - This award recognizes and celebrates the most comprehensive, relevant, honest and engaging sustainability report.
• Beyond Sustainability Project - This award recognizes and celebrates the most scalable; sustainable; integrated and transformative environmental; social and/or governance project on the African continent.
• The Beyond African Trailblazer Award - This award recognizes and celebrates the most remarkable individual contribution towards advancing sustainability in Africa. Individuals such as business leaders, media personalities, civil society or government officials may apply.

Any individual or organization with a proven footprint in sustainability may apply.  Entry to all categories is free of charge and the deadline for completion is the 16th of August 2024. Winners will be announced at an official ceremony on the 2nd of October, at the Sandton Convention Centre, from 7pm. 

ESG Africa Conference

The ESG Africa Conference is Africa's largest conference focusing on Environmental, social and governance issues, and is supported by prominent industry bodies and organizations. The event aims to attract over 400 delegates from across Africa to discuss, debate and find solutions to driving more sustainable business practises across the continent.

The Beyond Awards

The Beyond Awards strive to highlight African sustainability initiatives, showcasing companies' commitments to addressing critical issues and driving meaningful change on the continent. The awards ceremony aims to anchor sustainability in South Africa and share global best practices in sustainability initiatives. SAB believes the awards are crucial in spotlighting leaders in the field and advancing the sustainability agenda in African countries.