To celebrate the first anniversary of the Cap40, an association that promotes Business links between France and South Africa, the association organised a series of Business Awards that acknowledge outstanding businesses and individuals who participate at creating a dynamic and successful French-South African Business landscape in the Western Cape.  The purpose of these awards was to give more visibility to business links and joint private initiatives between France and South Africa in the Western Cape. A jury of 8 Cap40 founders nominated a number of nominees and organised an open voting session that gathered 240 voters to select the winners.

We hope that this competition will be the ground to similar initiatives highlighting international projects and investments in the province. It was also an opportunity to welcome more members among the community and to motivate companies to speak out on their French roots or on their interest to do business with France in the Western Cape.

The winners of the 2013 Cap40 Business Awards are:

Most Active Cap40 Member in 2013

George Gombay. Since the launch of the Cap40, George has published a number of articles on French and South African economic affairs and was our most active member. He is without a doubt part of the success of the platform this year. His contribution shows that individuals have a great part in building a successful business community when they are wiling to share knowledge and experience.

Best Cap40 Speaker 

Tim Harris. In 2013, 10 entrepreneurs, politicians and business experts have taken part to the Cap40 Business conference series. Tim Harris was elected best Cap40 speaker for his talk on The South African opportunity: analysis on SA political situation, economy and 2013 budget. The Cap40 talks are available online at http://www.youtube.com/lecap40. 

Best Cap40 start-up 

PayGenius. Cape Town's silicon valley offers an attractive environment for South African and International start-ups. PayGenius is a French-South African start-up created in 2011 and focusing on electronic payments. The company was elected best start-up of the year for providing excellent services going from online payment switching, mobile money and ticket vending.

Trade Award 

Dorrance/Vinum International. Christophe and Sabrina Durand are among the top promotors of reciprocal trade between France and South Africa via their wine making activities and their bottle & barrel importing business. 80% of the South African Dorrance's wine production is exported internationally. Their barrel business, Vinum International, imports premium French barrels and represents now 10% of the South African market. They are also organisers of the TAJ Classic Wine Trophy which reward and promote South African wines in France and in French speaking countries. 

Methys Innovation Award 

Appy Ever After. The Methys Innovation Award is the opportunity for the French headquartered technology group Methys to provide technical development resources to an innovative South African start-up. In collaboration with the Silicon Cape, 17 high quality applications were received, and Methys' jury shortlisted 4 projects: OculusID for its biometric application identifying substance abuse via eye recognition technology, Fillit for an application providing an online appointment marketplace, MzansiStore for its e-commerce platform available to small scale handcraft producers and Appy Ever After for its Wedding Planner project. Appy Ever After finally won the challenge and will receive a R50 000 development subsidy for its wedding planner and gift registry application.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award 

David Jagu. This awards aimed to recognise outstanding and successful entrepreneurs, whether company founders or current leaders, who took their company to the next level. Among 4 other French entrepreneurs who chose the Western Cape, David Jagu was elected by the Cap40 community for his outstanding achievement a the founder of Wanatel. Created in 2007, Wanatel is a telecommunication company that has rapidly established itself as part of an elite few businesses providing Voice over IP (VoIP) in South Africa.

Tourism & Hospitality Award 

Bistrot Bizerca. This award, sponsored by the French-South African tourism company African Eagle and XO Africa, recognise outstanding contributions to the Western Cape's hospitality industry. The French owned top Cape Town restaurant, Bistrot Bizerca, was elected by the Cap40 community as Best Hospitality Business contributing to the tourism industry in the Western Cape.  

Outstanding Performance Cap40 Award

ZA News. For its contribution to freedom of laugh in South Africa, ZANews received our Cap40 'Prix Spécial du Jury' or 'Outstanding Achievement Award'. Thierry Cassuto's puppet show is a successful twin of the French 'Guignol de l'Info' in South Africa and we hope that despite the many obstacles to satyrical humour in the country, the show will receive the success it deserves.