Retailer Woolworths took home the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Champion award, which recognises the organisation with the most comprehensive and impactful overall contribution towards the attainment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, at the inaugural Beyond Awards in Johannesburg on October 3.

The sustainability-focused awards were hosted at the South African Breweries (SAB) head office, in partnership with ESG Africa Events. The aim of the event was to highlight African organisations and individuals who have made a noteworthy impact through their sustainability initiatives.

The awards ceremony further aimed to anchor sustainability in South Africa and to provide a platform to share global best practices on various types of sustainability initiatives.

Speaking to Engineering News, SAB brand director Sphe Vundla said that the awards were careful to not support or endorse “greenwashing”, which was the practice of businesses conveying a false impression that their operations, products and services were more environmentally sound than they really were.

He assured that every nominee had earned its recognition through properly audited and vetted sustainability reporting, and that their contributions were real, quantifiable and verifiable.

“These awards aim to provide clear insights into African sustainability initiatives, demonstrating broad-wide company commitments to addressing the issues that matter most, and fostering meaningful change on our continent. SAB believes this awards ceremony is crucial as it presents us with an opportunity to showcase leaders and change-makers in the field,” he said.

The awards show was attended by Small Business Development Minister Stella Abrahams-Ndabeni and Small Business Development acting director-general Thulisile Manzini, along with various industry leaders, experts and pioneers in the African sustainability fraternity.

The awards recognised organisations and individuals across four categories, including SDG Champion, Sustainability Report of the Year, Sustainability Project of the Year, and African Trailblazer.

In her opening address, SAB environment, social and governance (ESG) director Barbara Copelovici said that all businesses should strive to make a positive and lasting impact in their communities, advancing initiatives in areas such as sustainability, safety, responsibility and recycling.

She said that the awards aspired to position sustainability at the forefront of Africa's corporate landscape, sharing global best practices in areas such as returnable packaging, entrepreneurship, water stewardship, and the institutionalisation of sustainability for sustainable economic growth.

“We know that ESG is increasingly becoming an important criterion for shareholder investment. This is good. It will quicken our efforts to build a more dynamic and socially relevant private sector. This is critical to resetting South Africa on a higher and more equal growth trajectory. It is not only the private sector that needs a reset, we as the public sector also need to change track as a matter of urgency,” Abrahams-Ndabeni said.

She said that working together would improve the impact of the private sector’s ESG practices and please shareholders while also helping government achieve its 2030 targets.

Winners and finalists for each category were as follows:

Sustainable Development Goals Champion Award

This award recognised the organisation with the most comprehensive and impactful overall contribution towards the attainment of the 17 SDGs.

Woolworths was declared the winner, while Shoprite Checkers, Re-Purpose, Impact Catalyst, and AECI were all applauded as finalists.

Sustainability Report of the Year Award

This award celebrated the most comprehensive, relevant and engaging sustainability report. Hospitality group Sun International took home the prize, among finalists Woolworths, AECI, Sanlam Life and Oceana Group.

Sustainability Project of the Year Award

This award recognised an initiative in the sustainability area which has had a significant impact in Africa and is scalable and sustainable.

Emissions calculator Tweak Carbon won on the night, with the eThekwini municipality, WaterCAN, Woolworths and AECI being finalists.

African Trailblazer Award

This award sought to recognise individuals who have significantly contributed to advancing sustainability in Africa. These individuals come from various fields, including business leaders, media personalities, civil society activists or government officials.

The winner was green business consultancy TOMA-Now founder Dr Jaisheila Rajput. The other finalists included Kusini Water founder Murendeni Mafumo, WRP Consulting Engineers director Willem Wegelin, Rajput, Ag Beyond Sustainability founder Thapelo Phiri, and AECI ESG and sustainability group head Kavita Pema.