Industry employer organisation the Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa (Seifsa) hosted its tenth yearly Awards for Excellence, which recognised the breadth of talent in South Africa’s metal and engineering sector and the resilience of its small and large companies, this week.

Seifsa VP Elias Monage presented the Additive Manufacturing BRICS+ Award, which was awarded to custom titanium implants and prosthetics specialist manufacturer Metal Heart.

“This award celebrates innovation that transforms industry and lives through the power of technology. This year’s winner is pioneering patient-specific medical implants here in South Africa, which is a remarkable example of how advanced manufacturing and biomedical science can work hand in hand,” he said.

Boy-child empowerment nonprofit organisation iButho Le Africa, founded by Mpumi Masinga, won the Humanitarian Award for its work in rural and peri-urban communities to empower young boys, who are often overlooked in the conversation about social development, said Monage.

Further, the Best Customer Service Award, which recognises companies that put clients first, build trust through every interaction and turn service into a competitive strength, was won by security and access control company Centurion Systems, said Seifsa marketing, sales and communication executive Nuraan Alli.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Award, which recognises companies that make a difference in the communities around them, was awarded to electricity cable manufacturer Aberdare Cables.

“The businesses that receive this award are those that step outside the factory gates to help build stronger, more resilient communities. Aberdare Cables has demonstrated what sustained social investment looks like when it’s guided by purpose,” said Alli.

Further, steel producer ArcelorMittal South Africa was named a finalist for the Company Artisan Award because it “has made artisan training part of its national mission”, said Seifsa human capital and skills development executive Zizile Lushaba-Nyawo.

However, electro-mechanical equipment manufacturer ACTOM was named the winner for this award for its commitment to “skills development in South African engineering”.

“There are two winners for the Businesswoman of the Year Award. Leadership is defined not by position but by persistence that is sometimes referred to as an iron fist in a velvet glove,” said Seifsa CEO-designate Tafadzwa Chibanguza.

Specialist steel fabrication company Betterect CEO Nicolette Skjoldhammer, who guided her company’s expansion into mining, renewable energy and major infrastructure projects, and valves and equipment manufacturer Invincible Valves CEO Pam du Plessis, who led her company through transformation to create a business centred on the development of its people, received the award.

Further, the Seifsa Lifetime Achievement Award recognises the decades of commitment and dedication of industry titans, said Seifsa CEO Lucio Trentini.

Steel fabrication and manufacturing company Duys Engineering Group executive chairperson Henk Duys received this award as “an industrialist and visionary leader who has given decades of dedication, passion and excellence to the work of Seifsa and the metals and engineering industry.

“Seifsa is about people, and Henk exemplifies everything Seifsa stands for, namely resilience, dedication, a commitment to exceeding expectations and a reminder that with a clear vision, anything is possible,” said Trentini.